Common Spyware Infection Methods

Because spyware does not spread like a virus and requires some sort of user intervention or action in order to infect a user's computer, you should be aware of the most common infection methods in order to recognize the lurking danger and avoid those situations when possible.

Shareware and Freeware Downloads

There are a large number of free programs available to download from the internet ranging from games to scripts to business applications to calorie calculators, etc. but what most people don't know is that many of these programs contain spyware.  Be careful what you download and only download from reputable and well known sources.

Peer to Peer Networks

File sharing networks, or torrent sites, are littered with spyware programs.  Users have no idea from whom they are downloading files from and hae no way of checking credentials or credibitily either, and so it is very easy for hackers to hide spyware in the file shares and infect your computer without you knowing. 

Pornography and Gambling Websites

A large majority of porn and gambling sites house advertisements on their websites - and a large number of those advertisements will install spyware on your computer without you knowing it when you click on them. 

Fake Security Alerts

Becoming more and more prevalent each day is the fake security alert popup.  It works by popping up a message on your computer that states something along the lines of "You Have a Spyware Infection"  or "Warning - Spyware Detected on Your Computer", all of which are attempts to mislead you into purchasing Rogue Antispyware software (read more here).  When you click on the popup, in many cases the rogue program automatically installs in the background without your knowledge.

While these are just a few of the many ways spyware can infect your computer, they account for the large majority of spyware infections seen today.  Best practices are to avoid the situations mentioned above and most importantly, have a top of the line antispyware program running on your computer at all times to prevent spyware from installing itself withour your consent or knowledge.