Another Day With My PC

Many computer users who are looking for anti spyware programs on the Internet may end up with a product that claims to be anti spyware… but in actuality, it’s actually spyware itself. Instead of removing the unwanted items from your computer, which is what true anti spyware software does, these bogus software programs actually install more spyware on your system, usually so the developer can profit from taking control of your computer system and web browsing abilities. Anti spyware programs are not the only ones being exploited, fakes also masquerade as anti virus and registry cleaner software as well.

Before purchasing, downloading, or installing any anti spyware software, do a little bit of research. Never install software on your computer unless you are positive you understand exactly what the software will do. Research some of the reputable anti spyware titles, and find the software which is verified and recognized as an actual anti spyware program, instead of just choosing the first anti spyware program you find online. Software which is one type and pretends to be another type is called rogue software, and that is what the fake anti spyware programs are.

If you are looking for a good reputable anti spyware program to keep your computer safe, there are some products that you should avoid, because they are rogue software instead of actual anti spyware programs. WinFixer and WinAntiVirus Pro 2006 are both spyware programs which masquerade as anti spyware software, and these programs try to pass themselves off as official programs from Windows just by the name of the product. Users believe they are installing a legitimate anti spyware or virus program from Windows, and instead spyware is installed.

SpyProtect, SpyShredder, SpyDawn, SpyLocked, Your Privacy Guard, AntiVirus Gold, PAL Spyware remover, and SpyAxe are all products which claim to be anti spyware programs but these products are in fact spyware instead, and these are just a small fraction of the true number of rogue software programs which pretend to be anti spyware. All of these software titles have been verified as spyware, and are known offenders who install their software under false pretenses for malicious purposes, without the informed consent of the user.

Fake anti spyware programs have become so common that there are banner advertisements all over the web for these products. Secure Computer was the first rogue software developer to be sued, and this was done in the beginning of 2006, in a suit filed by the Washington state attorney general and Microsoft over the product Spyware Cleaner. By the end of the year Secure Computer had settled with the state of Washington for a one million dollar sum, but Microsoft was not included in this settlement and their case is still pending.

Ad-Aware is a anti spyware program which has a free version available, and this software is a legitimate anti spyware program. This program and hundreds of others actually do what they advertise. Unfortunately, because of the rogue software out there pretending to be anti spyware when it is not, you should be cautious and verify the anti spyware that you choose before you install it.