Spyware symptoms happen when your computer gets bogged down with spyware programs running in the background without your knowledge. Spyware, adware, malware and even spamware can cause your computer to behave very strange.

If you are experiencing any of these spyware symptoms listed below, chances are you have spyware or other unwanted software installed on your computer.

Slower Computer Performance

One of the easiest spyware symptoms to detect is if your system suddenly starts operating slower than usual. Spyware and Adware programs use a lot of your computer resources to track your activities and deliver pop up ads that slow down your computer and can even make it crash.

If you are getting a lot of program crashes, your computer is much slower than normal or your hard drive whirls away when you're not doing anything, these are common spyware symptoms.

E-Mail Symptoms

If you get a lot of bounced back email and see evidence of email being sent without your knowledge, then it's possible that you have spamware in your computer files.

Spamware can send spam messages from your computer and create a lot of headaches for you. Trojan spamware is very dangerous because it can steal a copy of your email address book and send it back to an email spammer.

New Desktop Shortcuts or Homepage

Some spyware programs add new shortcuts on your desktop. Browser hijackers actually change your default homepage you selected to a different homepage. Sometimes the program won't even allow you to change back to your original homepage.

Bombarded With Pop-Up Ads

Adware is another common spyware symptom that bombards you with pop-up ads often for adult or other objectionable web sites. Computer hijackers like this have huge system effects and can make your computer completely useless.

Unwanted Search Results

Computer hijackers can even change the results of your web search and suggest websites the hijacker wants you to see instead of what you actually searched for.

New Toolbars

Computer browser hijackers can also add new toolbars to Internet Explorer that you did not knowingly install. Sometimes it's next to impossible to remove them.

Spyware dangers have now moved ahead of viruses as the number one danger facing computer users today. Quality spyware protection software is designed to find all of these hidden programs and disable them before they have a chance to work.

If you experience even one of these spyware symptoms, your personal information and computer are completely at risk.

Copyright 2005 Spyware Information.com All Rights Reserved.