| The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
announced that it had used existing fair trade laws in asking a federal court to shut down
some of the leading distributors of malicious "spyware" or "adware"
software. This type of malicious software may be lumped with viruses, worms, and spam, and
is all referred to as "malware" - short for malicious software.
What is spyware and adware software?
Spyware and adware is software that is installed on your
computer, generally without your knowledge, that monitors or controls your computer's use.
The software may send pop-up ads, redirect you to an un-requested website while you are on
the Internet, monitor your Internet activity or record your keystrokes while you are
online. This recording of keystrokes may lead to identity theft or credit card fraud.
The terms "spyware" and "adware" are
the essentially same type of software. They are software that you may not be aware of
running on your computer.
The online marketers who distribute this type of software
maintain that you have downloaded the software to help them better service your Internet
marketing needs. They would also state that you received their software as part of another
free software package that you downloaded and installed. Lastly, that during the download
process, that you clicked on the "agree" button, where there was their statement
that you would accept online pop-up ads for their advertised products.
This same software that have victimized individuals with a
mysterious change in their opening Internet page, a new default search engine, an
avalanche of pop-up ads while online, computer slow downs or a computer crash - know the
software as spyware.
Any unsolicited software that runs on your computer is
malicious spyware software.
Spyware Distribution
Regardless of what it is called -- your computer is
infected just the same.
Simply clicking on a banner ad can install spyware
software. Worms, which are self-propagating viruses, can also carry spyware. They search
for machines that don't have up-to-date security patches and install their crippling
software. Spyware may also be distributed by email.
As stated before the biggest method of distributing spyware
is to secretly bundle it with free software that you download from the Internet. Sites
that offer music sharing, videos, weather data, games, screen savers, a tool bar, or
program that synchronizes your computer's clock often are paid to distribute this spyware
as adware.
Such as file sharing programs like Kazaa, has adware
bundled right in the package download.
Before these programs are installed, you must click a box
saying you accept the contractual agreement. These agreements can be thousands of words
long and people rarely read them. Upon closer examination, however, they would find that
accepting pop-up ad serving software were part of getting the package.
Another common method is a message saying you need to
download ActiveX to view a website or email note. Don't do it! It's just another method to
get you to click yes to their adware.
Sometimes the presentation is an outright counterfeit of a
Microsoft agreement or some other recognizable document. A safe rule to follow: If you're
not sure what it is, don't click yes. Cancel out of the program any way you can, even if
it means rebooting your computer.
Unlike virus writers, who mainly want to infect as many
computers as they can just so they can brag, spyware distribution firms have a financial
incentive to have their software stay on your computer as long as possible. The more of
their ads that they load onto your computer screen, the more likely that you will click on
one of the ads.
Is Your Computer Infected
To eliminate spyware, you must track down every file and
completely erase it. That can be tough since spyware hides inside your computer's
operating system, making it difficult to find.
If you suspect that your computers is infected and want to
search the Internet for an "anti-spyware" solution -- be careful.
A Google search will return over 1,500,000 for "anti
spyware software". You will return about 749,000 hits for the phrase
"anti-spyware software". Some companies that offer anti-spyware software
solutions also make spyware software. Who else would know how to remove spyware then the
makers of spyware software? Their anti-spyware software may remove a version of spyware on
your computer but discretely load a more current version of their spyware to be launched
in a few days after you had thought that you had cleaned-up your spyware problem on your
computer.
You may download three free spyware cleaning programs at:
- Ad-Aware (www.lavasoftusa.com),
- Spybot (www.security.kolla.de), and
- CWshredder (www.spywareinfo.com/merijn/index.html)
Before you run any of these, use their automatic update
feature to get the latest protection. Some users report better results when they make
repeated passes with each of the three programs.
Cleaners can remove most of an infection, rendering it
temporarily inactive. But components sometimes remain that download more files and
re-infect your computer. Sometimes it helps to disconnect from the Internet, then reboot
after you run the cleaner. If you know how to manage a fire wall like Zone Alarm, you may
be able to use it to prevent persistent spyware from reconstituting itself.
If your computer is so bogged down with spyware, you may
have trouble downloading the anti- spyware products before your computer crashes. In that
case, you may have to obtain the programs from another computer with a CD burner, and then
load the software onto your troubled computer using a CD.
Scan your hard drive at least once a week with two or more
anti-spyware programs because each is likely to find files the other overlooks.
Ongoing Anti-Spyware Protection
To prevent future infections, never click on any popup ads
or the body of any spam emails. Try closing unwanted pop-up ads using Alt-F4 in Windows.
The Alt-F4 is a keystroke combination that decreases the risk you'll click on a disguised
button to close a window that will actually open another window.
Keep your computer up to date with the latest security
patches. Microsoft offers free updates at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, and free CDs
can be ordered for users on slow-speed dial-up.
Windows recently announced the release of XP's Service Pack
2, which provides additional security measures such as a limited spyware blocker and a
firewall.
Protection is an ongoing process since spyware makers are
constantly creating new threats. You may download a good computer resources manager and
security manager at, (www.onlinesoftwareguide.com/wintask).
Install a personal firewall. ZoneAlarm from Zone Labs has a
free basic firewall for personal use. Symantec and McAfee sell popular personal firewall,
anti-virus, anti-spyware software.
Next, set the computer's operating system for daily
security updates.
Also set the Web browser to a medium or high-security
level. For Windows, go to Microsoft's Web site for instructions. Windows XP users should
install Service Pack 2, which makes it close to impossible for software to be downloaded
without your being alerted. Consider switching to browser less popular than Internet
Explorer, such as Mozilla Firefox (mozilla.org) or Opera (opera.com). They are less likely
to be attacked.
If you have any problem implementing any of the above, be
sure and contact your computer consultant.
Finally, practice safe surfing. That means downloading only
trustworthy software, reading licensing agreements, avoiding banner ads, and deleting all
spam without opening.
Tips for Protecting You and Your Computer
- Do not click "yes" when an Active X dialog box
keeps popping up unless you know exactly what you're downloading.
- Do not open and delete all suspicious email messages.
- Do not fill out any web forms asking for your social
security number, driver's license, email passwords, bank account information, or your
mother's maiden name.
- Do not download or install any software unless you know and
trust the source 100%.
- Do not give your email address to anyone you don't know.
- Clear out cookies and other tracking data on your computer.
- Try using disposable email accounts when filling out forms
on the Internet.
- Do not enter any sweepstakes or contests online. Most of
them capture your personal information and sell it to third party vendors.
- Install software to counter-attack Spyware, Adware, Spam and
pop-up ads.
- You can file a complaint about unsolicited spyware software
with the FTC at: www.ftc.gov. Click on "File a Complaint."
Websites That You Can Trust To Help
- Ad-Aware (www.lavasoftusa.com)
- Spybot (www.security.kolla.de)
- CWshredder (www.spywareinfo.com/merijn/index.html)
- WinTask, Manages Resources and Improves Security
(www.onlinesoftwareguide.com/wintask)
- download of Ad-aware and Spybot Search & Destroy
(www.download.com)
- Spyware information tools, tips, and vendor for Trend Micro
software (www.housecall.trendmicro.com)
- McAfee anti-virus and anti-spyware software (www.mcafee.com)
- Windows security patches and spyware protection information
(www.microsoft.com/athome/security/viruses)
- Virus and spyware scans (www.pcpitstop.com)
- Lists software that may spread spyware
(www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm)
- Norton spyware information (www.symantec.com/avcenter/)
- Spy Sweeper anti-spyware (www.webroot.com)
- Zonelabs firewall (www.zonelabs.com)
Copyright Steven Presar |