Tech-Ease: Hardware Questions and Answers

Quick answers to real classroom technology questions. An online service of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse.

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What is spyware and how do I get rid of it?

If you computer suddenly becomes slower, the problem may not be hardware related. Sometimes programs known as "spyware" may be running in the background and taking over system resources such as memory and network bandwidth. The term spyware refers to any program that is installed on your system without your permission. These programs are often installed to deliver advertisements in the form of pop up windows. Most spyware will collect information about your web surfing habits and relay this information to an ad company so that it can send targeted popup ads when you are online. The traffic created by this communication can slow down your internet connection.

In addition to taking up system resources such as memory, hard drive space, and network bandwidth, spyware can put your privacy at risk while you are online. You should use a good spyware removal program to check your system for spyware on a regular basis. You do not have to pay for this kind of program. A good program to try is Ad-aware, which has both a free and a paid version. The free version does a good job of removing most spyware.

Additional Websites

An Educator's Guide to Computer Networks

Jan's Illustrated Computer Literacy 101

How Stuff Works: Computer Stuff

The Elder Geek on Windows

Paul Thurrott's Windows Supersite

Annoyances.org

Windows Update

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Tech-Ease for Windows is your source for just-in-time answers for classroom technology questions. A companion Tech-Ease for Mac site is also available. This collection is a part of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse and is funded in part by a grant from the Florida Department of Education. Copyright 2008 by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida.

			Quick answers to real classroom technology questions. An online service of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse.
ETC HOME	TECH-EASE HOME	HARDWARE FAQ	SEARCH
What is spyware and how do I get rid of it? If you computer suddenly becomes slower, the problem may not be hardware related. Sometimes programs known as "spyware" may be running in the background and taking over system resources such as memory and network bandwidth. The term spyware refers to any program that is installed on your system without your permission. These programs are often installed to deliver advertisements in the form of pop up windows. Most spyware will collect information about your web surfing habits and relay this information to an ad company so that it can send targeted popup ads when you are online. The traffic created by this communication can slow down your internet connection. In addition to taking up system resources such as memory, hard drive space, and network bandwidth, spyware can put your privacy at risk while you are online. You should use a good spyware removal program to check your system for spyware on a regular basis. You do not have to pay for this kind of program. A good program to try is Ad-aware, which has both a free and a paid version. The free version does a good job of removing most spyware.			Additional Websites An Educator's Guide to Computer Networks Jan's Illustrated Computer Literacy 101 How Stuff Works: Computer Stuff The Elder Geek on Windows Paul Thurrott's Windows Supersite Annoyances.org Windows Update
ETC HOME	TECH-EASE HOME	HARDWARE FAQ	SEARCH
Site Map \| Submit a Question \| About Tech-Ease \| Privacy Policy \| ETC Home Tech-Ease for Windows is your source for just-in-time answers for classroom technology questions. A companion Tech-Ease for Mac site is also available. This collection is a part of the Educational Technology Clearinghouse and is funded in part by a grant from the Florida Department of Education. Copyright 2008 by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida.