Girl Geekette

To create an emergency boot disk, simply format a blank floppy using the FORMAT A: /s command to include the system files, and copy these additional files to it for future use:
 
CONFIG.SYS
AUTOEXEC.BAT
FDISK.EXE
FORMAT.COM
SYS.COM
EDIT.COM
CHDSK.EXE OR SCANDISK.EXE
DEBUG.EXE
MSD.EXE
MEM.EXE
WIN.INI
SYSTEM.INI
PROGMAN.INI
PROTOCOL.INI

Anyone who has ever installed a program (whether from a CD or from a file that was downloaded), or anyone who has ever gone to a website has a chance of having Spyware and Adware on their computer. Spyware and Adware is not selective. It will function on any computer.

If that computer has an internet connection, it can use that connection to report data to its company. It can display advertisements on any computer.

People who run Windows and have a broadband connection are at the highest risk. Dial up users may also be affected, as well as notice changes in internet connection speed slowing down quicker than broadband users (Since there is not as high of an internet connection speed for Dial up users, they seem to notices even quicker if their speed has dropped drastically).

Spyware and Adware can cause programs not to run if it is uninstalled (An example of this would be a progam that uses TCP/IP’s Winsock like Napster).

Spyware and Adware can also corrupt a computers “Registry” (the brains of windows where all of the hardware, software, and user settings are stored). It can take a brand new computer and bring it to its knees - making it slower than a computer that is 3 or 4 years old or older because of these hidden programs that are using your computers processor.

Spyware and Adware can keep you from connecting to the internet and even keep your computer from booting up properly. It can use your bandwidth up (your speed to the internet). Because these programs might be using your internet connection to report back their statistics, there might not be any room left in your internet speed for you to surf the web with.

Spyware and Adware can very much invade your privacy and even compromise your security.

Some programs that log your keystrokes, take screenshots, take statistical information from your computer are obviously an invasion of privacy.

There are the Spyware and Adware programs that track your website surfing habits and history. This information may be sold to other companies. Once these databases are sold, there is no telling to whom this information will go to, or how it is used.