Is Someone Spying On You? The National Cyber Security Alliance found 90% of PCs have spyware. Microsoft estimates that half of all PC crashes are due to spyware. Dell Computers reports that 12% of calls to their tech-support line are related to spyware issues. According to a recent McAfee/NCSA Online Safety Study, 78 percent of Americans' computers are not fully protected from hackers and cyber criminals. Moreover, 64 percent of Americans cannot determine whether a Web site is safe before visiting it. Any type of software that's not done at the consent of the consumer, that doesn't make it clear to the consumer what it's doing, it monitors behavior, or potentially shows ads that are not branded, where the consumer doesn't know what they have, where the consumer can't uninstall, that would be Spyware. Consumers have downloaded free versions of the two most widely-used anti-Spyware programs over 45 million times. 80 percent of users are not aware it is running on their computers. And many Internet Service Providers have begun to offer Spyware detection capabilities to address customer concerns about spyware. Spyware collects and then misuses personally identifiable consumer information. Spyware exposes consumers and businesses to security risks. Spyware causes slow performance, inability to access the Internet, extra icons and pop up ads, Internet or system freezes and crashes, and so on. It can also capture a computer and use it to send out spam. Spyware can cause browser hijacking, things like resetting your Home Page, and adding applications that show pop-up advertising that do not identify themselves, with no idea where it's coming from, no ability to control what's on your computer. And it can be difficult for consumers to uninstall Spyware. Is it worth it, paying someone to come out to your house and spend $85 or more to clean spyware off your machine? Or even worse, instead of cleaning this thing up, buying a whole new computer system (that could still get infected later on). If you, or someone using your PC, have downloaded Internet files such as music, games, screensavers, pictures or movies, then adware and spyware programs have been added to your computer's hard drive without your direct knowledge. This "drive-by download" technique is rapidly growing - get your protection today. Antivirus Software alone DOES NOT STOP SPYWARE! You need software that also removes spyware. Some online programs (such as some toolbars, coupons/rebates memberships, free music downloads, free wallpapers, or free icons/cursors) are being intentionally packaged with software to display advertising on your screen, gather information on your browsing habits, and to sell your unused CPU and disk space. They can track your surfing habits, abuse your Internet connection by sending this data to a third party, profile your shopping preferences, hijack your browser start page or pages, alter important system files, and can do this without your knowledge or permission. The spyware threats and privacy implications of these exploits should be quite obvious and undesirable on any system or network, at home or at work! * What exactly can these scumware, computer spyware programs do?Monitor your e-mail and send out the contents. * Send email as you. * Allow a real, human spy into your system. * Change documents and information stored on your computer. * Spawn constant pop-up advertisements. Your privacy is being invaded. What you are doing on your computer right now might be watched by third parties. They are stealing your email address to spam you. They know what you typed to your family, friends and coworkers. They know what you are emailing to people. They watch your IMs. Hackers are watching to capture your credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal information. The online world has not been safe. You need to check for spyware.

ParetoLogic, Specialists in Security Software, Launch Zheng™, a Free File Upload and Scan Service
ParetoLogic, known for a variety of anti-virus and anti-spyware programs, have launched a new security service offering free online file scans.

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