If you ask most people to explain how a certain piece of security software works, they might say something like “It kills viruses/spam/what have you!”
And yeah, that’s true, technically, but it’s actually kind of interesting how it works, and it’s worth looking into.
For example, spam software works on a few different fronts. First, it holds a database of known sender IDs for spammers, as well as known email addresses and sources. Secondly, it can spot keywords that are common to spam mail. Today, spam killers can even spot disguised spam keywords. So for instance, if a spammer tries to get past your spam blocker by writing “vi@gra” instead of Viagra, it won’t fool a good spam filter.
Virus killers work a lot like your immune system. Before it can kill any viruses, it needs a sample of that virus’s “DNA”. So this also works on the database system. This means that the most powerful virus blockers are always going to be the ones that are updated on a constant basis. Perhaps the best example of this sort of thing would be Avira AntiVir. Avira actually gets at least one update a day, and sometimes more.
Spyware detection works on the database. It can spot any spybot or spyware that has already been reported to the database, so, of course, the same rule applies here when it comes to updates. The one with the most frequent updates will probably be the most powerful spyware detector.
Of course, it can also work simply by spotting spyware based on how it’s acting. Any program taking information out of your internet history and sending it to an unknown source is going to be suspect.
Simply put, spyware acts like spyware. In order to trick your spyware detector, it’s going to have to stay the heck away from the information it wants, in which case, it isn’t doing its job in any way, shape or form.
There are a lot of good spyware detectors out there, so whatever one you choose, just keep a few things in mind, primarily updates. You want it to get a lot of regular updates. Secondly, look for user reviews. If it works, it’s going to get great reviews, simple as that.
Luckily, there are plenty of great free spyware detectors out there, as well as trial offers on the ones you have to pay for, so you are absolutely free to give a few a try before making a decision.
