When adware is expanded to use your computer’s resources to steal information, it becomes spyware. Spyware is like the Trojan horse that is discussed on our Virus article. Computer users who are installing a program or swapping files (i.e. music downloads) may also be installing a spyware program whose purpose is to monitor your computer activity and gather your private and confidential information. This includes e-mail addresses, user passwords and certainly any credit card numbers you enter when making a purchase on-line. They can also happily install other spyware programs, hijack your web browser by changing your home page and your browser’s search engine. All the time it is sending back information to the bad guys, who will use it for their own advertising purposes, sell it to other bad guys or use it to steal your identity. To do all this, spyware uses your computer’s memory resources and bandwidth. This can slow your computer to a crawl, especially if you use memory intensive programs. Spyware is not good.

Do you have adware and/or spyware on your computer? The chances are absolutely outstanding that you do. This may not be a problem, but sometimes it could be disastrous. Some of the signs that your computer may be infected are:

1. Your web browser looks a little different. New toolbars suddenly appeared. The search engine you use is different. A brand new home page suddenly appeared.

2. Pop up advertisements that aren’t related to the web site you are viewing are appearing with disturbing regularity. You click on links that go to nowhere. Ads for pornographic web sites start popping up on your computer. Your “new” search engine produces web sites unrelated to your query.

3. Your Windows desk top takes longer to load than it did in the past. This is because lots of spyware programs have added themselves to the Windows start up procedure and load every time you turn on your computer.

4. Your computer is running slower than normal.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you probably are infected and need to take some action.

There are hundreds of Spyware programs on the market. Most offer a free on-line inspection of your computer to see if any spyware is present. Since their scans always find something, it’s a great way to market their product. However, it’s probably a good idea to dig a little deeper before making a buying decision.

Some anti-virus programs include adware and spyware elements as part of the basic program. Check yours and see if you have a spyware feature and if it is activated. If it is, and you still are experiencing problems, make sure you have downloaded the latest updates.

At Jamison Software, we look at viruses and spyware as two different problems and have chosen to attack them with two different programs. When selecting a spyware program we looked at numerous reviews and tested several (they all have 30 day free trials) on different computers before making a decision. Spyware and anti-virus programs work basically the same way. They develop large data bases or encyclopedias of known adware and spyware. The computer is scanned against these data bases and the culprits are identified and deleted or placed in a quarantine folder where they can’t continue to cause trouble. These data bases are constantly updated in order to keep up with the spyware developers. Good Spyware programs should do two things well. They should maintain great data bases and provide fast, proactive customer service.

Why do we like two programs? Viruses and Spyware are cousins and sometimes there is a gray line between the two. With two data bases, we can sometimes stay ahead of the curve, finding a problem in one program that is actually solved by the other. Here’s an example.

We use and highly recommend Spysweeper by Webroot software. One feature of Spysweeper is that it identifies new programs that will start when Windows starts. If no new programs are being installed, this means only one thing-spyware. When that happens, an alert screen appears and there is an option to remove the offending program. Sometimes that procedure is successful and the problem is resolved. However, occasionally the program reappears all by itself in a second or two. We have a virus. That information can be passed on to AVG Anti-virus Systems, our Anti-virus software provider, and within hours an update removing the offender is downloaded and implemented. This happened several times on our test computer (we did not use a firewall to attempt to create just this scenario) and we were very pleased with the results. We also found that Trojan horse files with a .pif suffix were the main culprits.

If you are concerned about spyware, we recommend Spysweeper. We found the data base very thorough and up to date and their customer service team responsive. When we had to upload suspected spyware for their review, they provided detailed, easy to follow instructions.

Buy and Download Software Online – Free Trials Available

Read customer reviews.  Many popular online stores, such as Amazon, allow users to leave their comments about a particular product.  Reading other customer reviews may help to make your decision easier because it gives you an idea of others who have experienced the product firsthand.

When considering any type of software, make sure that it is compatible with your computer.  Most software requires a specific processor type, such as Pentium or Celeron, and a certain amount of free hard drive space.  The reason is because, in order for software to function properly at quickly, the computer must be able to handle the application.  By being familiar with your computer’s configuration, you will be able to select the right software.

Become familiar with the software by reading it’s description and capabilities.  Before purchasing any type of software, you should make sure that it is exactly what you want or will enjoy learning.  Often times, after software is opened, there is no refund policy for buyer’s remorse.

Purchase software from a reputable company.  This will ensure customer service, reliability, quality products and timely shipment.  By purchasing software from a reliable source, you will also ensure that the title is authentic and not an illegal copy.  The best way to check out a business’s reputation is through the Better Business Bureau.

The best part of shopping for software online is the competition.  Because there are so many retailers, prices are more competitive than if only one store had the software that you want.  Shop around and compare prices before making a final decision.

When making a purchase online, consider using a credit card.  Most credit card companies provide a dispute resolution process, which is beneficial if the product is not delivered, is not as advertised or is damaged and the company will not stand behind the transaction.

If purchasing from another individual, such as often the case with online auctions, confirm that the software has all manuals and/or product keys to ensure proper installation.

Learn about the company’s return, refund and/or exchange policy.  In many cases, especially with software, the company may refuse to accept the product back for a refund.  However, there is always the possibility that a program is damaged or doesn’t function properly, in which case the store should honor the purchase with an exchange for the same title.  When buying software online, it’s best to purchase from a store that is reasonable when it comes to exchanges if not refunds.

When purchasing software online, take a moment to look at the company’s shipping costs, methods and availability of a way to track the package following shipment.

Common payment methods include credit cards, checks and/or money orders.  If you want to purchase software online, you will need to do so from a company that accepts a convenient payment method.  If you do not have a credit card, most companies will accept a mailed payment.  Most companies, however, recommend not sending cash.