The answer could be SPYWARE!

What is it?

Spyware is an analysis and tracking software program that is installed on your computer system, most often without your knowledge. It secretly gathers information about you, possibly including passwords, email addresses, your web browsing history, and online buying habits. It can monitor your keystrokes, scan files and reformat your hard drive, and change your default home page. This information is relayed back to the spyware author who either uses it for advertising purposes or sells the information to another party.

Even though the name may indicate so, spyware is not an illegal type of software. But, it does raise privacy issues and there is no doubt, it is a growing problem with harmful consequences.

How does it affect my computer?
Spyware resides on your computer system. It steals from you by using your computer's memory and system resources. This can lead to computer performance problems and even system crashes.

Spyware also eats up your bandwidth as it sends information back to the spyware's home base via your Internet connection. This slows your Internet connection.

How does my computer become infected?
Spyware is typically bundled as a hidden component of programs that are downloaded free from the Internet. You unknowingly install it when you are installing something else.  Spyware can even be found accompanying hardware you buy and install in your system.

Tips for Stopping Spyware

1. FREE DOWNLOADS. Stay away from free downloads from the Internet. When asked if you want to install a program, click NO.
2. BANNER ADS. Stay away from banner advertisements.
3. READ PRIVACY STATEMENTS. A lot of free software downloaded from the Internet has what appears to be standard user registration forms, but may be information that is sent to advertisers.
4. CLEAN spyware from your infected system. This can be difficult to accomplish so we recommend a combination of spyware removal tools:
   
   Networked Solutions - products that can scan, protect and report on multiple systems at one time from a single administrative console. Much like with anti-virus products, you can save considerable time and improve security by using your network to eliminate spyware instead of depending on individual users and individual products.
   
   Ad-Aware - a software product that will detect and delete spyware, but it will not find all spyware. Requires individual use. Ad-Aware can be found at www.downloads.com. Just do a search for Ad-Aware and download the 6.0 version to your desktop and run from there.
   
   Spybot - similar to Ad-Aware. Can be found at www.downloads.com.
    
5. INSTALL a firewall.
6. EMPLOYERS. Be aware what your employees are downloading.

If you would like assistance in removing spyware from your computers, please contact our service department at (620) 664-6000.