Spyware is not as frequently warned about as viruses, so to mitigate the harm caused by spyware, we first need to identify them whenever our computer shows signs of malfunction.
Identifiable Signs
1. The clearest sign of spyware affecting your computer is the appearance of pop-up windows that appear in web browsers (Internet Explorer, Opera, Firefox, etc.), containing advertisements or warning messages such as “your computer has a problem with…” that automatically pop up every time you start Windows or run the web browser.
2. Changes in browser settings are another indication of spyware. For instance, even if you have set www.google.com.vn as your homepage, the browser may display a different page upon startup. Certain websites with ActiveX controls (especially adult sites, cracking sites, etc.) can alter these settings without the user’s consent.
3. A common third sign of spyware is the unexplained appearance of strange toolbars in Internet Explorer. Usually, they appear just below the Address bar and are easily noticeable. In some cases, these toolbars may be “smarter,” installing themselves and opening intermittently like a normal toolbar, without raising suspicion.
4. The fourth directly observable sign is the presence of unusual icons on the desktop, which may be shortcuts leading to adult websites, online casinos, or programs like “free gifts.”
Unusual Signs
5. If your computer suddenly experiences minor glitches, this could be a sign of spyware. Pay attention to any sudden increases in error messages, especially if you haven’t installed any new software recently.
6. If your system is consistently responding slower than usual, this may be due to spyware running in the background. Check if any newly installed program is consuming system resources (check in the Processes tab of Windows Task Manager). If not, consider the possibility of spyware operating on your computer.
7. Be mindful of the firewall, antivirus, or anti-spyware programs installed on your computer. If they are not activating automatically, check if they have been disabled by spyware programs. The icon in the System Tray can help you monitor the status of these programs.
8. An increase in phone bills: a sudden spike in your phone bill or ADSL bill (depending on your type of Internet connection) can also be a sign of spyware infection. This may not apply if you use a flat-rate ADSL service.
Conclusion
A computer infected with spyware can be quite bothersome for users, even when not connected to the Internet. In my experience, whenever spyware is detected, the best approach is to run a scan with Spybot – Search & Destroy (version 1.4, size 4.8MB) along with Ad-Aware SE Professional (version 1.0.6, size 6.4MB) as they are quite powerful, stable, free, and frequently updated. If you are using software, you can find other updates at www.scanwith.com if direct updates are not available.
