An appliance is an electrical machine that performs a particular function or job. An old landline telephone is an appliance (it only sends, receives phone calls); your cell phone is not since it can both send, receive calls and text messages, play music, take pictures or access the Web, etc.
Appliances have few moving hardware parts and are designed to be repaired quickly and easily by people will minimum skills (although you may want to call in a good repair guy for that gas stove problem you're having!). And any software installed is embedded into chips that you can't access so therefore can't be messed up by outside interference.
Sure, computers are sort of appliance-like. They can have less than 6 internal moving parts (floppy drive (optional), CD-ROM/DVD drive, hard disk drive, motherboard, CPU, and the power supply unit). And while lots of people only use them for limited functions like word processing or surfing the Internet or receiving emails, computers are actually "operator run".
This means that you can customize both your computer's hardware and software and make customizations or setup personal preferences. What this also means that "others" can too gain access to your software and setup their own special little tweaks, tips and malicious "weebly-wobbies" that can spy on you as you go about your private daily business.
Spyware, viruses and other malware programmers can steal your passwords, use your computer and your internet connection to send out thousands of spam emails, or just plain mess all your files up. It doesn't matter if its just some "script kiddies" (computer vandals) hacking into your stuff for bragging rights or to prove a point or by a real professional "hacking crew", spyware can easily ruin your life.
1- Spyware can ruin your life by destroying all your personal documents (letters, wills, emails, resumes, reports, financials, or just plain old school work)
2 - Spyware can ruin your life by making it difficult or almost impossible to access the Internet. With hundreds of popups appearing, blocking you from going online to pay bills or access banking statements in a timely manner can create all kinds of unnecessary havoc in your life.
3 - Spyware can ruin your life by costing your money you can't spare to have a professional computer repair company come to your home or office to perform an expensive spyware removal.
4 - Spyware can ruin your life by having some or all of your personal identity information (social security number, usernames and passwords, bank account numbers, etc) stolen and then sold to the highest bidder on the black market!
Yes spyware can be an annoying pain in your behind but if you aren't careful, it can be a an BIGGER pain in your life.
If you found this article helpful, I invite you to visit http://fixcomputerproblemsguide.com for more free computer spyware tips. - Do you need help, now? Spyware Removal Help - From Chancer Reese, your Small Office Tech Diva.
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