Spyware's job is to collect information about users without their knowledge. So your email conversations about your caches, BOL's and other related prepper activities could have been compromised.
Sometimes it just records your browsing habits, other types of spyware can record your keystrokes, history, logins and passwords, and other private information like your banking details. Then it can send that information anywhere.
So that's OPSEC and your money in someone elses hands.
There are over 2300 known spyware programs and innumerable virus like information gathering programs.
A useful site to go to see and learn is
http://www.spywareguide.com/product_list_full.php
Spyware primarily gets into a system in two ways.
A user installing software (usually by downloading) and via security exploits in Microsoft programs especially Internet Explorer and by the automatic updating of products (some of which already contain an element of spyware).
It's seldom a single 'infection'. Getting one can disable antivirus and firewall software.
As most home computer owners set themselves up as an administrator (courtesy of Microsoft default settings) installed software has complete access to all of your hard drive.
Basically you get one, you're vulnerable to all.
You may or may not notice a difference. That's the problem!
if you are lucky, you might notice:
Unusual CPU activity, disk usage, and internet traffic.
Stability issues, programs crashing,
Failure to start up every time, PC's crashing i.e. Microsoft blue screen of death.
Connection problems i.e. difficulty connecting to the Internet.
So what to do?
Basically install a GOOD antivirus package, anti spyware software and a firewall.
If you haven't got these installed already, you may have a problem.
Start small and install a anti virus program.
Most free anti virus software have a spyware component in it i.e. AVG and Avira.
Specific anti spyware programs include:-
PC Tools' Spyware Doctor, Lavasoft's Ad-Aware SE, Spybot
Microsoft has it's own little version called Windows Defender. Make sure it is turned on and updated.
Run your selected program and if it finds spyware or viruses and you are a little unsure about computers, I'd recommend that you put your PC in for a service.
If you're all clear, update your virus checker and finally install a free-be firewall like Zone alarm.
Note:-
The more you add in the form of protection, the more your computer will have to use it's resources and power to run them. There is a trade off here. Performance against security. Only you can rate your level of threat.
Other Recommendations
Dump Internet Explorer.
Switch to a better less vulnerable browser like Firefox or Opera.
Avoid using common access computers when accessing emails, bank accounts, and other sensitive sites and documentation.
It may be surprising to note that Google Desktop's proud boast is that it never forgets. AND IT DOESN'T either.
In short it acts like a searchable key logger. Not a good thing.
As always, the media is either full of woe or totally silent about these things.
There is a risk out there especially if you internet bank or use your computer on line for 'sensitive' things. Remember though that the easiest thing to intercept is your emails.
How many of you DON'T encrypt your email?
I'm guessing that the industry estimation of 95% of you is pretty close to reality.
The cost of an encryption program? Free!
Does it make your communications truly secure. I'd like to say yes but everything is crackable. PGP was once heralded as the perfect encryption package and the US government went ballistic about it. Suddenly they dropped their interest in it. Lots of us surmised that the reason for this was they had cracked the encryption. Besides if you have spyware on your PC, every key stroke is being recorded so it's a bit pointless worrying about encryption unless you cure that problem first.
Finally remember that everything you do is routed via a series of servers or hubs on the internet. This is the primary source of interception by TPTB. In the UK they're allowed to do it legally as the sheeple let TPTB introduce all manner of electronic surveillance without so much as a whimper.
In short, if you want to do things covertly, UNPLUG!
Paul
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