Nowadays you can never be too careful when using the Internet for sensitive transactions such as transfering money from an online bank account or paying your bills online. Identity theft is one of the most frequently committed cyber crimes on the net. Before you worry, you should be aware that there are ways to protect yourself from things like this online. Using anti spyware is one of them. Before you can purchase any type of anti spyware, it‘s important for you to know why it‘s needed and exactly and what the term means.

Spyware refers to software used to take control of your computer without you knowing. Spyware software can track what a user does on his computer, from capturing a list of websites they visit all the way down to figuring out your passwords and credit card numbers you use on different websites. The information it gathers is sent out all over the web. If you do not pay enough attention, you may find yourself amongst the countless victims who suffer from identity theft.

When picking out one, make sure you take careful consideration and have done your research. Many companies have created products that specialize in removing spyware and protecting your computer from it. To name a few, Spyware Doctor, Pest Trap, Spy Falcon, Antivirus Gold, Norton Antivirus, Win Fixer, Spy Wiper, Pal Spyware Remover, Spy Trooper, PS Guard, Spyware Strike, WorldAntiSpy and Ad-Aware.

Among those, Norton Antivirus is the most well-known and often times rated as one of the best products on the market. Not only does it protect one’s computer from the latest spyware but also from viruses. For those who want to try out the product before buying it, Yahoo offers a free thirty day trial period. One good thing about Norton Antivirus is that it automatically scans your email and instant message for viruses and spyware. It mechanically detects and removes viruses, Trojan Horses, and worms. With automatic update it protects against new threats. In December 2004 the PC Magazine awarded it the Best of the Year Award, in October it was rewarded PC Magazine Choice Award and then in February of the same year for Consumer Shopper: Shopper’s Choice Award.

Spyware Doctor, by Microsoft Windows is another versatile product that is known to deal with spyware reasonably well. It includes an On Guard feature that provides protection from new spyware threats that arise. So users are being protected while working on their computer and do not have to continually scan for new infections.

Ad- Aware: one good thing about Ad- Aware is that it doesn’t require you to have a specific window which means you can have windows XP, 1999 or whatever and it still works. Its publisher is Lavasoft and everyone who has used it rates it as a good product. You can download it for free. Ad- Aware detects dialers, Trojan, malware, data- mining, aggressive advertising, parasites, scum ware, and tracking components.

There are a couple of products that people reported user-unfriendly features or apparent software compatibility issues. Users of Spy Trooper reported that it may not be as effective as other anti spy ware software. They also have found problems arise on their computers, when they are trying to access the Internet. As for Spy Wiper, it was sued by FTC back in 2004 for its allegedly unfair business practices. It was said that Spy Wiper made users pay a 30.00 downloading fee and then exploited holes in Microsoft Internet Explorer browser to download spyware software on the user computer, and as a result was led to pop up ads. Many people reported that Spy Falcon can be irritating. Every thirty seconds, pop up ads from Spy Falcon appear. Then removing it from your computer is a very difficult task.

To sum it all up when you’re choosing an anti spyware software for you make sure it’s effective and something that you can work with and trust. Remember to do more research on the software before you purchase it and before you know it you can take care of all your business online worry free.

Beware of them; they aren’t always served for a good purpose. They spy on you, seek to steal your information, and invade your privacy. Slyly they sneak on your computer screen and record your keystrokes. What’s the danger?

The Truth behind Keystroke Loggers

Key loggers are used in the workplace to assess employee productivity on task where the computers are used. They are also used by law enforcement to obtain passwords or other encryption keys by detouring around security measures. Put simply keystroke loggers are basically is like a surveillance camera watching anything you could possibly do online. Those keystroke loggers send the information back to the user who seeks to spy on you. Keyloggers are a type of spyware.

Types of Key Loggers

• Hardware Keyloggers - Small inline devices implanted in between the keyboard and the computer. This type has the ability to seize hundreds of keystrokes that even includes your personal information, such as your bank account number.
• Software Keyloggers - This kind of key logging is carried out by using the Windows function SetWindowsHookEx that monitors all keystrokes.
• Kernel Loggers - This kind can be programmed such that it goes undetected because it is implemented on the boot before the user has even started to access anything. It receives data straight from the input device which is usually the keyboard.

Now that you know what key loggers are used for, it’s important that you protect yourself. Mischievously they can get the information that you enter online such as bank account number, passwords for different websites booked in your favorites and even your address.

Ways They Trick You

Using keystroke loggers is a popular way scammers destroy their victims. They use a wide variety of tricks to deceive you. For example, they can send you a spam email telling you to click on a link; out of curiosity you just might do that. Some set out websites promising you something else but solely use to contaminate your computer. Other sources of key loggers are places online that offer free games and music that you can download. When it happens this way, it’s sometimes called “Trojan” a kind of file that seems to be a harmless but actually is dangerous.
Here are ways you can be deceived:

• Online free shopping spree and auction scams - places that offer you a chance for a free shopping spree, or a place to sell and auction things and make money.
• Junk email - that offer free or cheap games, electronics or other prizes. Or promise to send a check or a chance for you to win free money but require you to enter personal information.
• Free Offers- Websites that offer free downloads, shares, product trials but in the end require you to supply your credit card number.
• Online Dating Scams- Places that start seeming as if they are interested in you, asking you your romantic interest, the kind of men or women you like but end up telling you you have to pay a certain fee to use their service.

Ways to Protect Yourself

Avoid opening email they seem to be spam or junk. Don’t open any links sent from people you are unfamiliar with. Install anti-spyware software on your computer to be protected from this. Be careful of websites that offer free music or games downloads. Instead of using your current keyboard you can try using a virtual one. A virtual keyboard is a graphical keypad where the user clicks on characters rather than words.

Now that you know exactly what key loggers are, protect yourself from it by taking all the needed action such as investing in good anti-spyware software. All I can possibly say right now is beware; they are out there trying to destroy you.