Spyware Internet Explorer History & The Vista OS

Spyware and adware have long plagued Microsoft’s Internet Explore due to security holes that have been exploited by malicious hacksters. Both spyware and ad-ware can cause great harm to one’s pc and can also degrade computer performance.

Adware is often bundled with so called “free programs” that can be downloaded online. Such programs often come in the form of free “toolbars” or add-ons for Internet Explore. While often times these freebie programs claim to add additional functionality to the web browser in truth these programs main goal is to simply deliver ads (pop ups, redirects) to the end user which earns the creator of these programs advertising revenue.

Spyware is similar although more devious, in the case of spyware the goal of the creator might be to steal personal passwords, gain access to the users computer (often times to send bulk email) or just generally to wreak havoc.

With recent updates Microsoft has slowly addressed both spyware and adware, service pack 2 for instance featured new features built into internet explore 6. These new features blocked much of this unwanted malware. Windows vista operating system which will be released soon will offer even more protection from spy-ware.

Still I prefer to also run counter spy which is one of the best known anti spyware software packages. Counter spy offers “real time protection” against future attacks, keeping a clean pc free of unwanted malware is much easier than cleaning an infected system.