Acronis privacy expert suite 8.0 User Manual
Spyware removal and Spyware Shield
Copyright © Acronis, Inc., 2000-2005
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Chapter 3. Spyware removal and Spyware
Shield
Shield
There are many programs that, once on your PC, start working without your
knowledge. Such software can do such things as collect information or change
user settings for the Internet or your system. These programs are called
spyware. For more information on the main spyware types, see Appendix B of
this guide.
knowledge. Such software can do such things as collect information or change
user settings for the Internet or your system. These programs are called
spyware. For more information on the main spyware types, see Appendix B of
this guide.
Acronis Privacy Expert Suite enables you to completely clean your PC of spyware
and protect it from future intrusions.
and protect it from future intrusions.
How spyware gets on your PC
One of the most common ways that spyware gets on your PC is from new
software installations, in particular freeware and shareware. When you install
such applications, they can implement software modules that collect information
on Web sites you visit, your PC configuration, etc.
software installations, in particular freeware and shareware. When you install
such applications, they can implement software modules that collect information
on Web sites you visit, your PC configuration, etc.
Another common source of spyware is peer-to-peer networks, gaming portals
and other Web services.
and other Web services.
Sometimes spyware is installed by commercial applications whose makers want
to collect additional information about users, their habits and preferences.
to collect additional information about users, their habits and preferences.
How to recognize spyware?
Though in many cases spyware works without users’ knowledge, there are signs
that you should watch for:
Hard drive LED is blinking even when no programs are run or documents
that you should watch for:
Hard drive LED is blinking even when no programs are run or documents
open
Your PC receives and sends unknown information via the Internet though you
aren’t using a Web browser or e-mail client
The home page setting of your browser has changed without your consent
When you work with certain programs or visit certain Web sites, you see ads
When you work with certain programs or visit certain Web sites, you see ads
or pop-ups
If you notice some of these activities, you need to run Acronis Privacy Expert
Suite to find and eliminate spyware performing unauthorized operations on your
PC.
Suite to find and eliminate spyware performing unauthorized operations on your
PC.
If you need to:
Find and remove any type of spyware from your PC, run Spyware removal
Prevent spyware from getting on your PC, enable and set up Spyware