What are the symptoms of spyware

Spyware can affect a PC or network in various ways. Here is a list of common symptoms to help you decide whether or not you have spyware installed on your machine.

For Consumers

• Slower PC Performance. One of spyware's many effects is the significant slowdown of the performance of your PC. Your computer may seem sluggish, take longer to start when you turn it on, or take longer to get to the Internet. For example, a computer with as little as two adware applications could take more than 14 minutes to boot.
  
• New Toolbars. Certain types of spyware such as hijackers can add new toolbars to your Internet Explorer that you did not knowingly install.
  
• New Desktop Shortcuts. Some spyware may add new shortcuts on your desktop.
  
• New Default Homepage. Browser hijackers change your default homepage to a different default homepage. Some homepage hijackers may prevent you from changing your browser's homepage back to its original default or prohibit you from visiting certain websites.
  
• New Search Results. Hijackers can also change the results of a web search and point you to designated websites that you did not request in your search.
  
• New Error Pages. Error hijackers will display a new error page when a requested url is not found. Excessive Full-Page and Pop-Up Ads: Adware can inundate your computer with targeted ads based on web surfing habits that have been tracked. Adware can slow down your PC to a crawl.

For the Enterprise

All of the above and the following:

• Slow Network Performance. Spyware robs your network of speed and Internet access efficiency. For example, a computer with as little as two adware applications could take more than 14 minutes to boot. This can significantly affect employee productivity.
• Congested Network Traffic. Spyware transmits and receives information across a network causing significant overhead and therefore bandwidth waste.
  
• Modified or Deleted Files. If you notice that files have been modified or deleted for an unknown reason, this could be the result of spyware.
  
• Lost Control of PC. Certain types of spyware such as RATs can take control of a PC or an entire network.