Spyware and adware are very common and are actually thought to infect 90% of computers nowadays. This malware is designed to hide in your computers program files and annoy you with pop-up adverts and junk e-mail. They do pose a more serious threat and can steal personal information such as credit card details, passwords and bank details which can lead to a major case of identity theft for you if you’re not careful.

The following is a list of the top 10 spyware and adware threats:

1. PurtyScan: This form of malware is presented in a pop-up advert. It’s eye-catching to people as it claims to find existing pornographic content on your computer and then delete it. However once clicked on, you will be taken to a website with much more spyware and adware waiting to infiltrate your computer.

2. n-Case: This is a form of adware that enters your computer from downloading freeware online. It bombards the computer user with continuous pop-up ads.

3. Gator: Gator tracks your online browsing so that it can tailor itself to your likes. The computer user is flooded with banner ads attempting to catch your attention. This often ends up on computers through sharing files on Kazaa or other P2P programs or downloading freebies from random sites.

4. CoolWebSearch: This is a form of malware designed to hijack your Internet settings and then forward you to its own web page. However the webpage that it forwards you to is loaded with adware and spyware.

5. Transponder: Yet another piece of malware designed to track your internet usage and adapt the adverts it bombards you with to your interests.

6. ISTbar/Aupdate: This malware enters your computer by pretending to be a toolbar. It is actually a very embarrassing form of spyware. It continues to send a barrage of pop-up adverts displaying pornographic images to your computer. It is also capable of hijacking your Internet settings.

7. KeenValue: This is a form of adware. Its purpose is to monitor your online behaviour and track all the websites that you visit. It will collect your personal information through logging information that you fill out on forms online. Once it has done this it will bombard you with advertisements luring you to far more dangerous websites.

8. Internet Optimizer: This is, in a sense, a hacker as its goal is to take control over your computer and homepage. While taking control of any webpage you visit, it then will transport you to its own webpage which is loaded with tons more malware.

9. Perfect KeyLogger: This is a very harmful form of coding. It records everything you type on your computer and can communicate your most personal information back to its creator.

10. TIBS Dialer: This is most risky if you have a dial up connection. This nasty piece of software can hijack your phone modem and transfer you to pornographic websites.

So now that you’re aware of the top 10 spyware threats out there make sure you watch out for them and don’t get caught out.

Somebody clicked on something they shouldn’t have and now your computer is loaded down with spyware again! Instead of pointing fingers at people why not install some anti-spyware software to clean up the mess. Better again make sure you also get yourself some spyware prevention software too – you don’t want to be doing this forever do you?

Online security is a relatively new concept for a lot of people. Although the term computer virus will be relatively well known the overall approach that the modern computer user should treat the new online world, especially ecommerce, is in general not given the coverage it really deserves. This article will look at the potential threats that the average internet / web user and indeed website proprietor can face.

The internet always seemed to be a slightly lawless place; viruses could spread, infect computers and generally cause havoc. However the recent massive increase in the numbers of people using the internet for shopping means that unscrupulous people have seen even more reason to exploit this for monetary gain.

One way that users are targeted is via so-called ‘phishing’ attacks. These attacks try to lure and tempt a user into giving up their login details or credentials. This may sound far-fetched, but this seems to be a powerful tool in the arsenal of the online criminal. The attack may come in the form of an email purporting to be from an establishment that a large number of people use, for example a well known bank. This email will often have a link to a site where the user can log in. This is how the trap is sprung, the email isn’t from the company the user thinks it is from, and the link in the email is to a site that tries to replicate the site the user knows. This way the user feels safe when they input their details.

It is for this reason that users are incredibly careful when clicking on links from within email or via any other source e.g. instant messaging, social networking sites, etc. Often the link will have been made to resemble the URL of the well known site.

For website owners this form of attack can be circumvented by advising their customers as to the way they will be contacting their customers. The company could make it publicly known that they will only email to advise customers of new offers, they should visit the site to actually access them. Online credit card processing can have a lot of pitfalls and as such money transfer services should always be controlled properly.

The world of online security is a new concept for many people. As users keep an eye on their wallets and purses as they shop on the local high street, so should they try to be aware of how their details are being used online. If in doubt, don’t trust the site.

Sam Qam’s online business employs a company to handle money transfer services for all online credit card processing.