Spyware is a general term used to describe software that performs certain actions—generally without appropriately obtaining your consent—such as: Advertising Collecting personal information Changing the configuration of your computer If your computer is running Windows 8, you can use the built-in Windows Defender to help you detect and get rid of spyware and other malware.
You may have seen reports about security alerts for Java recently. Java is a commonly used piece of software from Oracle, so there’s a good chance you have it installed on your computer. Cybercriminals often use fake virus alerts to lure you into buying fraudulent antivirus software.
Cookies are small files that Web sites put on your computer hard disk drive when you first visit. Think of a cookie as an identification card that’s uniquely yours. Its job is to notify the site when you’ve returned. Cookies should not be confused with viruses.
