Information On Spyware Artilces and News

The Many Faces of Spyware

2007-11-16T01:07:00.000-08:00

They have innocuous-sounding names—ShopAtHomeSelect, CoolWebSearch, Searchex, IEDriver—and are called many things: spyware, adware, scumware or the euphemistic PUPs (for "potentially unwanted programs"). But there's no disputing that, by any label, programs that monitor users' online behavior, legally or illegally, are a big business and a big headache for computer users and IT administrators.

Spyware is a $2 billion-a-year industry, according to Webroot Software Inc., judging from rough estimates of the number of adware installations and the amount of money generated by each installation. It's an industry girded by business relationships that tie legitimate advertisers to online marketing companies, small application vendors, Web site operators and shadowy online groups with iniquitous ties. The industry is a Wild West of aggressive marketing, loose oversight and big profits—all flowing from consumer behavior and the surreptitious programs that track, mine and shape that behavior.

PointerA drive-by site taps an exploit to infect PCs with malware. Click here to read more.

Cleaning up the spyware economy will be a challenge, experts say. Enterprises face an explosion of spyware and adware that threatens compliance efforts and intellectual property. As with anti-spam legislation, anti-spyware laws working their way through Congress won't fix the problem by themselves. While regulators and the high-tech industry seek solutions, organized online crime groups are using spyware to fuel an epidemic of identity theft and online fraud.

At Family Credit Counseling Service, in Rockford, Ill., spyware became a big problem in the last 12 months, said Joshua Beard, a technical support specialist at the nonprofit organization, which provides financial counseling services to individuals.

"It started with those little search bars that come up, which were an annoyance more than anything," Beard said. The problem escalated into a major IT headache in the last six months, as the spyware and adware infections multiplied and began causing more damage.

PointereWEEK's Editorial Board claims we need a spyware law. Click here to read its view.

Technicians for the San Lorenzo Unified School District, in California, had a similar story, said Art Cipriano, director of IT. "We were continuously receiving work orders to fix slow computers and getting panic calls of pop-ups taking over computers," Cipriano said. "Many times, [the computers] were so severely infected we ended up just [reformatting] them."

About one-third of application crashes reported to Microsoft Corp., in Redmond, Wash., are caused by spyware, according to Brendan Foley, senior product manager of Microsoft's Windows Antispyware group.

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1829173,00.asp

Getting your free adware and spyware program

2007-11-16T01:06:00.000-08:00

With adware and spyware programs becoming a perennial threat in the online world, it would be wise to have your PC always protected. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of spyware and adware programs lurking somewhere on the Internet, looking for a chance to get into your PC. Some of them may require that you click into one of their links in order for them to get into your system. But there are other more malicious programs that will actually force their way into your system if you are not that careful.

Once inside your computer, these malicious programs can do a lot of unpleasant things. Some adware programs will try to bombard you with a number of ads while you are browsing on your computer. No matter how many times that you try to get rid of them, they still keep coming on to you.

They may suddenly pop up over the website that you are currently browsing, therefore distracting you to take notice of their ads. One time won't bother you at all. But sometimes these ads can get so persistent that they already become a hassle. They begin to disturb you and you may want to get rid of them.

There are also other programs that may bother you in a different way. These are spyware programs that can get as malicious as can be. These programs can get downloaded into your system secretly without you knowing it. And just like what the name implies, spyware programs try to spy up on you in a variety of ways. They can monitor your surfing habits and send it to someone from the outside who might find a use for it.
Where to Find Adware and Spyware Scanning and Removal Tools

Some spyware programs can log all your keystrokes. This can be very invasive and compromise your way of life. Such programs may be able to get hold of your secret personal information without you knowing it.

Through a spyware program that records all the letters and number that you punch in your keyboard, email addresses and passwords can be obtained. If you make purchases with your credit card online, this type of spyware program may be able to get your credit card number and other important credit information that may compromise everything.

There are also spyware programs that can force itself into your computer and do its dirty deed. It can scan into your computer hard drives and may make changes in your system. It may change your security settings and allow other malicious programs to come in. this type of spyware program can also prevent you from using certain legitimate programs and instead force you to use another type of software instead.

All these malicious programs can really become a serious problem if left unchecked for a long time. What you may need is a special software that may be able to scan your computer and search for unwanted programs like these and remove them effectively. Such programs may also be able to block such malicious programs from ever getting into your PC.

There are some software programs available online that offer you free scanning and removal of spyware from your PC. You can choose from a variety of legitimate programs that will be able to effectively do the job for you and for free. But most of the times, these free online spyware scanning and removal tools may not be able to provide you with the full protection that you need. You may need to purchase a spyware and adware removal software that may be able to provide you with the most comprehensive spyware protection that you need.

http://rkoi.com/articles/other/adware-free-removal-scan-spyware.txt

Where to Find Free Spyware Removal

2007-11-16T01:04:00.000-08:00

The bad news is that spyware is everywhere on the internet and you could have it on your computer right now. The good news is there are free spy ware removal tools for your computer that are easy to find.

There are several programs available online that you can download that will assist in detecting and eradicating spyware from your computer. My personal favorite is download.com, which is a great and trusted source for software downloads. Simply choose from an array of free programs, download and install and you're on your way. Be sure to read the comments from previous users to help you decide which one to use.

What if you don't want to download an actual program to your computer to scan for spyware files? Well, you are in luck because there are sites out there that will help you out but those are much harder to find.

Free spyware removal sites generally are fronts. Many of these sites will scan your computer but you won't be able to remove them unless you download the program that they are promoting, usually at a cost. Some of these sites will even put spyware onto your computer to increase the numbers on your computer and make you think that you need the program much more desperately than you did a few moments earlier.

It is for this reason that you are much better off trying to find a program of your own to download and use at your own leisure. Most of these programs are small, easy to download and take up very little memory on your computer.
According to download.com, the best programs available are Spybot and Bazooka Adware. Both of these programs boast strong user reviews and features which will help knock out your spyware. Other great programs that I can recommend to readers out there would be Ad-Aware and Spyware Doctor.

Both of these programs are very well programmed to update automatically to protect you against the latest forms of spyware that have found their ways online. I have Spyware Doctor installed on my computer at this moment and I have yet to find a single complaint about it.

Naturally not all programs out there are going to be useful or even helpful to you. You should always do some checking on each program to find out what its pros and cons are. If you are still in doubt, check the publisher's site and really take a close look at the details of each program to find out if it's right for you.

If all else fails, ask around. Chances are you already know someone who can help you with your search for a good scanner and then you'll be on your way to safe surfing.

Article Source: http://www.ApprovedArticles.com

Find out how to detect spyware before it infects your computer. Find out where you can get free spyware downloads at www.removespywaretoday.com

http://www.approvedarticles.com/Article/Where-to-Find-Free-Spyware-Removal/3866

Spyware Different Types

2007-11-16T01:02:00.000-08:00

Spyware is more dangerous than a virus. It can steal personal data and track your internet habits. It might be concealed in a free screensaver or other software that you download. Computer safety expert Leif Wheeler advises us to be aware of any offer of free software. Many times, spyware is hidden in legitimate software. Be cautious of deals offered by well-known companies. Crooks and thieves often create web sites that resemble Adobe, Google or Microsoft, says Wheeler. They instruct you to download upgrades which secretly contain spyware. Common sense should tell you to download things like screensavers or wallpaper only from a company's registered web site. Have a safety talk with anyone who uses your computer. Run an anti-spyware application. The schemes for stealing are the same, notes Wheeler. What's changed is the technology. The rest of us have to try to stay one step ahead.

There is a type of spyware that the New York Times has labeled as “Stealware” and what spyware researcher Ben Edelman refers to as “Click Fraud”, also known as “Affiliate Fraud”. The most notable vendors of this kind of spyware are 180 Solutions and WhenU. This spyware redirects the payment of the rightful affiliate’s commission to the account of the spyware vendor.

An instance of spyware rarely "exists" alone. An afflicted computer can rapidly become corrupted with a lot of spyware devices. Frequently, users will notice erratic behavior and a decline of the system’s operation. Spyware contamination can cause considerable inappropriate CPU activity, network traffic, disk usage and the slowing-down of the legitimate uses of these resources. Stability issues, system crashes and application crashes are also very common. Spyware which disrupts the networking software normally causes problems connecting to the Internet.

A Trojan horse, by definition, sneaks in a danger-some program cloaked as something acceptable. Many spywares get spread in this way. The representative of the spyware presents the program as a suitable utility, for example, as useful software or as a web-accelerator. Users then install the software not suspecting that it could do harm to their computer. A classic case of this is Bonze Buddy, a spyware application designed to trick children, claims that: “He will explore the Internet with you as your very own friend and sidekick! He can talk, walk, joke, browse, search, e-mail, and download like no other friend you've ever had! He even has the ability to compare prices on the products you love and help you save money! Best of all, he's FREE!”

Often times, spyware programs are revealed by visibly presenting advertisements. Some spyware simply displays pop-up ads on a pre-determined schedule. For example, a pop-up may appear when the user opens a new browser window. Yet other types display ads when the user visits a specific type of site. Spyware developers use this as a selling point when pitching their wares to advertisers who want to buy ad placement in pop-ups shown when the user lands on a particular site. It is also one of the reasons why spyware programs collect and store information on user behavior.

Leif Wheeler began marketing on the internet in 1992 and he retired in 2004.
Leif’s internet-time is now spent researching and writing articles
that improve everyone’s internet experience.
Benefit from Leif’s vast experience at http://www.leifwheeler.com.

http://www.iwebtool.com/articles/view_10759.html

Adware Spyware Removal or “How Do I Get This Junk off My Computer?!”

2007-11-16T01:01:00.000-08:00

Adware spyware removal is one of the tricky parts of home computer ownership. If you don't know what you're doing, your PC could end up a very expensive doorstop.

As well, you don't want thieves stealing your personal information. You don't want to put up with eternal pop-ups. You want to stop the PC crashes and speed up your Internet connection.

So can you get the junk off your poor stressed computer?

You could:

* Do the adware spyware removal yourself;
* Get a friend to take care of it;
* Take your PC to a repair shop;
* Set up an adware spyware removal program on it.

There are free tools that list the programs running on your PC. One very popular one is HijackThis. It has helped many with adware spyware removal.

You save a HijackThis log and post it to a forum. Someone takes a look at it tells you how to do the adware spyware removal.

Using HijackThis and a forum cost nothing other than your time. The back-and-forth between your and your helper's can make adware spyware removal slow.

The risk in doing adware spyware removal yourself is you could make Windows unable to boot. If that happens, and there's no system-state backup, you'll have to re-install Windows. You'd lose the hard drive files.

You can bribe a friend for adware spyware removal. You run the same risk as doing adware spyware removal yourself. A mistake could cost you all your files.

If you take your PC to a repair shop for adware spyware removal, expect to pay. I've seen posted costs of $35 to $150 an hour for virus, Trojan and adware spyware removal.

Often the cheapest way to handle adware spyware removal is to install adware spyware removal and prevention software. There are free and paid choices out there.

What you don't want is an adware spyware removal product that's a rip off. There are over 250 such products. Spyware Warrior (http://www.spywarewarrior.com/) lists many rip-off adware spyware removal products (they call them "rogue" or "suspect").

The two best known free adware spyware removal products are Spybot Search and Destroy and AdAware SE Personal Edition. Update cycles can be slow with free products. A new threat can appear and it may be a few days before your free software knows what to do.

Trustworthy adware spyware removal products tend to be cheaper. Rip-off adware spyware removal programs tend to be more costly. The rip-off makers try to gouge as much as they can from the public before they're shut down.

Adware-Begone.com has links to several adware spyware removal and prevention products of good standing. None of them contain adware, spyware, Trojans or rootkits.

Adware spyware removal is a problem you never have to face if you follow the old chestnut, "Prevention is worth a pound of cure." Installing a defense does prevent the problem.

It doesn't matter which solution you choose. Installing an adware spyware removal and prevention program is the cheapest choice. Buying a friend dinner and a movie or having adware and spyware removal at a repair shop costs more. Many programs listed at Adware-Begone.com are less that $30.

Damaging Windows or re-installing it is even more costly - not just in money but in lost time and lost data.

Thirty minutes of research now could save you hours of grief and lost data later.

About the Author
V. 'Len' Giberson is a consultant with 27 years computer experience. His first full-time job was as a Computer Operator of an IBM 360 mainframe. He created www.Adware-Begone.com because adware and spyware infected several friends' computers. He decided to help be part of the solution instead of passively being part of the problem. You may reprint or republish this article as long as it is used unchanged in its entirety, including the author's credit.

They're Nasty, They're Everywhere, and There does not Seem to be any Escape

2007-11-16T00:59:00.000-08:00

Back in the early nineties, when I only had a 286 computer, I got my first virus. It was called "The Stoned Virus' and at first I thought someone was playing a practical joke on me. I booted up my system and all of a sudden theres a message across my monitor that says "Your Computer is now Stoned". I got this virus by copying some software and every time I rebooted my system it got worse. If I hadn't got rid of it eventually it would have corrupted my entire system.

These days, every time I log onto my system it has either another virus, adware, or some other program that automatically downloaded itself from the net and installed it unto my system. theres a lot of good antivirus programs out there but I haven't found one that is yet to eliminate all the viruses and most of them have a price. I am so sick of all this and all the money I've spent for the software utilities that as of several months ago I started looking for effective Freeware solutions.

The problem with a lot of the Free programs is that either they have a lot of ad's, limited capabilities, or else they will scan your system and locate the viruses but if you want these viruses removed then you have to pay an additional cost. Some of the Free programs will give you a 30 day trial but you have to read the fine print on everything. After trying so many different apps I have finally found several that Walk the Talk.

Before telling you what I have found did you ever notice that most of these threats are aimed at users of Microsoft Windows? I am told that there are hardly any viruses that affect the Macintosh or a Linux system. These days there are some nice Linux operating systems that have the same time of graphical interface that Windows has. The only thing that keeps me from completely switching over is that there are some applications that only work under Windows. I am finding a lot of Opensource alternatives though and I will keep you updated of my finds.

I had expected to have made several new posts by this time but because of something that downloaded to my computer last night I had to spend several hours removing any threats. For my antivirus solution I am using a great little program that updates itself every time I am online and it seems to get rid of viruses that a lot of other programs seem to miss. The antivirus program is AVG Free personal edition. Now before I continue I want to mention that I am not promoting any of the programs that I found nor am I making anything by recommending them.

For removing spyware and adware I use 2 programs. Neither one by itself will take care of everything but if I first run one of them then the other they pretty much take care of almost everything. Now both programs do have paid versions which get you extra features but I am only using the Free versions for now. The two programs are "Spybot Search and Destroy" and 'Ad-Aware SE" which if you do a search you will find many sites that offer free downloads of them.

If you are using a broadband internet connection where you are always connected to the net then I suggest using these programs at least once a week. Now you can use a firewall which will protect your computer from unauthorized downloads but this will also limit a lot of the web sites you may wish to visit and it will also block emails with pictures or certain words in the body of the message.. I choose not to use any firewall myself unless I plan on leaving my computer for a period of time then I might turn on Microsoft's Firewall which is built into Windows XP. Now Microsoft also has another utility which is free and they say is still in the Beta version but it is called Microsoft Antispyware. Now it won't get rid of everything but if you use it in conjunction with the other programs I recommend then you will pretty much be able to eliminate all threats.

I hope the utilities that I am using prove useful to you also but I do give one word of advice. Whenever installing anything new make sure you create a new restore point in windows system Tools so that you always have a backup of the last known working registry.

About the Author
Mr. Solochek does research for himself as well as other people and posting what he discovers on his Blog. You can visit his blog at http://www.nosugarcoating.info

Finding and Fighting Spyware

2007-11-16T00:58:00.000-08:00

Internet users have a slim to none chance at avoiding spyware because of the countless threats possible. Also making spyware difficult to avoid is its ability to install itself in your computer from numerous angles which forces you to find protection for your computer in several ways, none of which will guarantee complete protection. Downloading freeware and clicking on pop up ads are the most common ways a computer becomes infected with spyware but even beyond that users are invaded unknowingly by spyware just by surfing through seemingly secure sites.

Problems arise with more malicious applications such as spyware, Trojans, keyloggers, dialers and adware. These invasive programs are designed to record your personal information such as passwords, email and instant messages, credit card numbers and more. A dialer can use your internet connection to link to long distance connections or premium services, all of which will in turn run up a large bill on your internet connection. Other malicious spyware applications can invade your personal information and record computer usage habits, resulting in advertising bombardment or identity theft.

You are close to guaranteed to have spyware if you have never run a spyware specific scan or taken other measure to prevent the infections. Signals that your computer has been infected with spyware are not noticeable immediately upon their invasion but after running a while and having other spyware application build up, your computer will begin to show signs. Changes not authorized by you, the computer administrator, in your internet favorites list or browser homepage are sure signs of spyware. A constant stream of pop ups hints greatly towards spyware as does the sudden appearance of internet toolbars on your web pages. Slow computer functioning, pro longed system start ups and browser crashers are also strong signals that your computer has spyware.

Instead of avoiding the internet users can take precautions against spyware infection. Start protecting yourself by going into your system and turning off the install on demand option so that programs are not automatically installed, along with spyware, while you are online. To continue the ability to download wanted programs you can go through a few extra steps. Insecure or improper internet settings make your computer much more vulnerable to spyware and its consequences.

Running one or more spyware tool scan will rid your system of most spyware threat and purchasing or finding a free program that provides active spyware protection will enhance your chances of avoiding future infections. Before performing any spyware scans go into your computer and remove the internet cookies as well as the offline content files so the scan will run faster.

Spybot Search and Destroy and AdAware SE Personal are the two most renowned free spyware tools because of their full service at no cost. Any spyware tool you chose should be used on a regular basis so that spyware applications do not have an opening for invasion.

About the Author
Mitch Johnson is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/, a site that focuses exclusively on spyware removal software, as well as tips on how to prevent spyware from popping up on your computer.

The Difference Between Spyware and Viruses

2007-11-16T00:57:00.000-08:00

Shin, a fictional character whose name means "faith" or "trust," sits by his laptop in the living room of his home in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. He is busy at work for his boss, dictator Kim Jong-il. His job, to make sure some spyware gets into specific computers at the Pentagon so he can gain vital top secret information. He's particularly interested now that the United States government suspects his country might soon conduct its first nuclear test.

With spyware surreptitiously installed on the computers, he could, for instance, engage in the practice of keylogging. In other words, our "trustworthy" Shin could tract the actual keys on the computer hit by the Pentagon officials. This would help him learn their passwords, the content of email messages, encryption keys, or other means to bypass security measures at our nation's defense fortress. Shin's not interested in crashing computers at the Pentagon or making them otherwise operable. That would be too overt and might reveal him. He's simply after information.

There are other types of spyware, sometimes called "malware" because they don't actually spy on your computer habits. They might instead just barrage you with annoying popups, for instance. Or they might give you a different home page that isn't of your choosing, like one of an advertiser's. But for the moment those types of malware, or adware as it's sometimes called, aren't very useful for Shin. He wants to use spyware that actually spies.

Over on another part of the globe in Turkey, a fictional terrorist sits with his own laptop in a suspected al Qaeda terrist cell. But he's not out to infect computers with spyware. That's child's play. He's out to bring the house down. This story is strictly hypothetical. But let's say the terrorist wanted to disrupt the daily hubub at a major American corporation. He'd infect the computers with a virus!

The terrorist might try to attack the company's vast network by inserting a worm into it. Worms reside in RAM, and travel from machine to machine and, unlike the classic viruses, they attack the computers themselves rather than individual files. Very disruptive. This type of virus could potentially make the computers inoperable.

Bring down the goings-on at a major corporation by spreading a worm through the computer network, and the terrorist could have a field day. But let's hope not.

So to summarize, spyware often keeps track of your computer habits, and viruses are often out to disable computers in some way. Hence the difference.

About the Author
Kara Glover is a Computer Tutor and Troubleshooter. You can find her online articles, tips, and tutorials on topics such as Microsoft Word™, Excel™, and PowerPoint™ at her website: http://www.karathecomputertutor.com

Spyware and Your PC

2007-11-16T00:55:00.000-08:00

What is spyware? Why is it dangerous? These are two questions many people ask. In my opinion, spyware and adware are much more dangerous than a virus. Why? For one, spyware can steal your personal data as well as track your internet habits. Spyware is often located in web bugs or downloadable items such as music, screensavers or other types of digital downloadable media. It can actually be hidden in "legitimate" software. Many companies will mirror a well known company to get the consumer to buy the product, and unbeknownst to them there is spyware or adware buried in the software. You may get notices to upgrade your software through names such as Microsoft, Google, Adobe, etc. The best way to download a product is to go to the companies registered site and make sure your run an anti-spyware application.

For any of you who are affiliate marketers, there is a spyware named "Stealware" by the New York Times, which has also been called "Click Fraud" or "Affiliate Fraud". This type of spyware will redirect the income of rightful affiliate's commission to the account of the spyware account. This is horrible, as many affiliate marketers spend a lot of their time promoting and marketing as their source of income, these spyware users are robbing these people from their rightful commissions.

One of the biggest targets of adware and spyware is Internet Explorer. It is used most often world wide and has a reputation of having very weak security. It is intergrated into Windows OS and it has a scriptability which makes it very simple and susceptible to intrusion of these vicious software programs. There are also "Browser Helper Objects" which can simply attach to Internet Explorer. These help redirect traffic and add toolbars.

A very common complaint of spyware is through "pop-up" advertisements. Like many banner advertisements, spyware ads will use flickering banners and animation designed to grab the users attention which makes them very distracting.

Spyware and Adware affect every user on the internet. All the information you enter on the web can be interceded. Unauthorized sites can add themselves to your desktop (icons). Unauthorized sites can add themselves to your list of favorites. Browsing activity can be tracked and monitored. Unwanted toolbars and searchbars can attach themselves to your browser without your knowledge or approval. Your personal information can be sold to other parties without your knowledge or consent. Your default homepage can be hijacked so you can't change them. These malicious components not only invade your PC so they cannot be removed but take up your hard drive space and slow down your PC.

So what do you do when you think you are infected with adware or spyware? There are several free programs on the internet today, but I have found through much research and trial and error that the NoAdware software is the best on the market. The first time I ran it I had over 150 parasites that were cleaned and removed, but this was after a hacker from Korea had gone into my Paypal account and wiped out my checking account. He was able to steal my information from his spyware and I will never not run without this NoAdware program again.

The best advice I can give you, is be very careful. Protect yourself, your computer and make sure you change your passwords frequently so that you are secure with your web surfing. Never download digital products without a secure system. As the internet is a world of fun but it is also a world of thieves that won't let much stand in their way.

Be safe and have fun surfing the World Wide Web and Beware of Adware and Spyware!!

About the Author
Nanette Hughston is a freelance writer and affiliate marketer with a degree in Finance.

Does MySpace install spyware or adware on computers?

2007-11-16T00:54:00.000-08:00

Do u know if myspace brings any viruses to ur computer..... if it does just write back please tell me what I should be looking out for, and why on earth they'd be doing that!

MySpace itself doesn't install any nefarious software onto your computer, no viruses, spyware, adware, or anything else, but there was a recent incident with an advertiser on MySpace who was surreptitiously installing spyware on the computers of people who viewed the advert, obviously something that's not at all good!

The Washington Post has a good, understandable article about the situation entitled MySpace Ad Served Adware to Millions, in which it explains that the advertisement was for the site DeckOutYourDeck.com (not an active link for what I hope are obvious reasons) and when you viewed it with the latest version of Internet Explorer or any non-MSIE-browser, you were prompted whether you wanted to open a file called exp.wmf.

If you had an older version of Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE), however, the file was opened automatically and did its nasty deed without you having a clue anything was happening. Without you knowing it, your "... machine would silently download a Trojan horse program that installs junk software in the PurityScan/ClickSpring family of adware. This stuff bombards the user with pop-up ads and tracks their Web usage. Only a little more than half of the anti-virus programs used at anti-virus testing service AV-Test.org flagged the various programs that the Trojan tried to download as malicious or suspicious."

Worse: "Using software that captures and analyzes Web traffic, La Pilla found that the installation program contacted a Russian-language Web server in Turkey that tracks how many times the program was installed, presumably because most of this adware is installed by third parties who get paid for each installation. The data there indicate that the adware was installed on 1.07 million computers, La Pilla said, adding that all seven of the Internet addresses contacted by the downloader Trojan appear to be inactive at this time."

When asked about this advert and its negative impact on users, Hemanshu Nigam, head of security at MySpace, responded:

"This is a criminal act. This ad is being delivered by ad networks who distribute these ads to over a thousand sites across the Internet in addition to ours. We are working to have these ad networks remove this ad so that they do not appear on our site. At the same time we strongly urge all Internet users to follow basic Internet security practices such as running the latest version of the Windows operating system, installing the latest Windows security patches, and running the latest anti-spyware and anti-adware software. If users have applied the simple patch available from Microsoft.com, they will not be vulnerable to this criminal act."

Finally, don't just sit there reading this, pop over to Microsoft and make sure you have the very latest version of MSIE -- and Windows, for that matter -- so you aren't vulnerable to this sort of attack!

• Windows MSIE 7.0 Download Center
• Windows MSIE 6.0 Download Center

Note that if you are still running MSIE6, you might well want to download MSIE 7 beta, which is pretty darn stable and a huge improvement in terms of both interface and security features. Or chuck the whole lot and switch to Firefox instead.

Oh, and if you are surfing the web - which you're obviously doing since you're here on my site! -- then you must have both a solid antivirus solution and anti-spyware solution. I recommend AVG Antivirus for the former and Spy Sweeper for the latter.

http://www.askdavetaylor.com/does_myspace_install_spyware_or_adware_on_computers.html

Use A Spyware Remover Now

2007-11-16T00:49:00.000-08:00

If you use the internet, “There is over 90% chance your computer is infected with spyware” - Source CNN.

Just think about it. You probably have at least one, if not more computers in your home. Most computers today have internet access. And if you receive email from others and surf to a couple of sites can you be almost completely sure you have some kind of spyware installed in your computer.

How dangerous are spyware?

Let me give you a short list of things spyware can do,

• Spyware can run completely hidden on your computer
• It can slow down your computer a lot
• It can spy on you and send everything you type to someone else
• It can record everything you do, allowing someone to see it later
• It can spy on you and send account information, passwords, credit card numbers and similar to a third party
• It can “steal” files, pictures, videos and more from your computer

Some spyware will do just a few things and others everything from the list above, and more.

You must keep your computer clean from spyware or risk loosing personal information, financial information and even your private photos or family videos.

Run a spyware scanner regularly to clean out any spyware that may have sneaked their way into your computer. Do note that antivirus software (even the most expensive ones) have problems to keep spyware out. So get a good anti spyware software and use it!

No matter what the spyware's purpose really is, the bottom line is that at the very least it will cause you countless hours of problem solving and slow downs on your computer.

Scan your PC now to make sure it is clean. If you find anything, avoid using any credit cards or visit your online bank until the PC is cleaned with a top anti spyware software.

There are many different types of software that can harm, cripple or just reside quietly inside your computer. Beside virus, the most common types are Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, Backdoors, Bots and Dialers. They all have different agendas but will to a degree change the way your computer function and how well it works. This beside the obvious threath the program itself impose.

About the Author:

Kenth Nasstrom, Learn more about Spyware removers and see our top three list at http://www.free-spyware-remover-reviews.com/

Read more articles by: Kenth Nasstrom
Article Source: www.iSnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=16643&ca=Computers+and+Technology

Before You Consider Getting Spyware Blaster: What you should know

2007-11-15T04:27:00.000-08:00

Spyware Blaster is probably considered by many people to be the best anti-spyware tool available today. In a sense, they could actually be right. This is because Spyware blaster has features far beyond what other types of anti-spyware offer.

However, as all people do, you need to think hard before you acquire this software. There are many factors to consider before you download the Spyware Blaster. Here are some of those considerations:

1) Need - do you really need Spyware Blaster? Sometimes, people download a product just because it is available for download. Before you strat clicking away, you need to ask yourself if you are truly in need of this anti-spyware tool. What can be considered as a need for Spyware blaster?

a) No anti-spyware - if you have no spyware installed in your computer, then you definitely need Spyware blaster! Maybe you have not been informed, but you need to understand the threat of spyware to your system! Spyware can be designed to steal your personal information and use it for the gain of the creator. You could find yourself the victim of identity theft if you do not have proper anti-spyware tools. This is the reason why you should definitely have Spyware Blaster on your computer.

b) Unreliable anti-spyware - if you are not satisfied with the way your old anti-spyware is taking care of your system, then switching to Spyware blaster is indeed a need that you have. Spyware blaster is one of the best anti-spyware tools out there and what's more, it's actually free! This means that you can choose to switch to this product any time you feel that your old anti-spyware is just not enough for the job.

2) Expertise - Spyware blaster has a lot of tools that people can use to enhance the protection of their system. However, before you go ahead and download it, you should know that the most sophisticated of those tools may only be used by people who know what they are doing. If you try and tinker with spyware blaster without the proper knowledge, you could end up with a big wreck on your hands.

This means that you will need to gather some information about spyware blaster before you can use this tool effectively. You need not worry, however, since there is a lot of information on spyware blaster available on the internet.

3) Reviews - you need to take a look at spyware blaster from the perspective of other people. By reading online reviews of this product, you can enlighten yourself about the pros and cons of downloading spyware blaster. By looking at the reviews objectively, you can come to a decision that will definitely benefit you and your system.

4) Personal preference - of course, no matter how many reviews you read, the final decision is still up to you. You need to weigh the pros of getting spyware blaster against the cons. In doing so, you will be able to make a balanced decision. You should also be aware of what you really want. Do you really want to download spyware blaster? If so, then you should do it. If you feel that acquiring this software is in your best interest, then by all means, download it! After all, your choices are the ones that matter the most.

http://download-super-mall.com/AdwareSpyware/Articles/Before_You_Consider_Getting_Spyware_Blaster_What_you_should_know.php

A Spyware Primer

2007-11-15T04:26:00.000-08:00

Spyware is simply software that is generally installed without the computer users permission. After installation, it begins to obtain data and information regarding the users browsing habits and often times will also monitor and track other forms of personal data. The term spyware has recently mutated into a broader term referring to any type of software that is operating on a computer without the users consent to the benefit of an unauthorized third party.

Let us look at some functions that spyware performs without user authorization. Spyware can add affiliate links to shopping portals and thus capture commissions whenever purchases are made by the user. It can monitor internet activity and dictate future email and spam to the user. It can install other third party applications. It can hijack the user browser and add new homepages, icons and favorite links. And probably the most obvious affect of spyware is a very sluggish PC.

Microsoft Windows along with the Internet Explorer browser have been the primary targets of spyware, simply because they cater to the vast majority of users and are the software of choice. Using another operating system or browser may assist in reducing the risk of spyware, but only because it is less common and not because it is more secure. Unfortunately, downloading applications from the internet is the by far the most notable method of infection.

If you are becoming swamped with unwanted advertisements appearing while using your computer or other unwanted toolbars in your browser, it is most likely that you have some form of spyware infection. Kind in mind that probably the most of these come from pornographic and gambling sites, so you might want to consider steering clear of those sites and deleting any email you might receive from these type of sites. Many users are unaware of the incentives involved in spyware. Website owners can be paid as much as $0.50 for each install of an ActiveX control containing spyware, which can be very attractive to many undesirable sites.

After users have been taught some sensible precautions that can be easily taken when using the internet and about downloading software, the effects of spyware can be drastically reduced. It can actually be very straight forward to eliminate and remove spyware with the proper software. Remember that it is very important to combine effective anti-spyware tools with other anti-virus and Firewall applications for complete PC protection.

Article Source: http://www.search4articles.com

Spyware Removal Software website which addresses how to improve the operation of your computer. Did you find this article helpful? Find out more about Spyware Removal Software at www.spywareremovalsoftware.net

http://www.search4articles.com/Article/A-Spyware-Primer/34100

5 Simple Steps To Stamp Our Spyware

2007-11-15T04:25:00.000-08:00

Spyware is pervasive and if you are connected to the internet then you are bound to have spyware on your computer. Having spyware residing inside your computer is akin to having unwanted strangers living in your house. Because you don't know them, you also don't know what harm and destructiveness they can get up to. Most of the time spyware can just be a real pain but at it's worst it can be a real privacy risk and can result in financial loss.

So if your someone that absolutely detests some stranger seeing what you are doing online, stealing your private information possibly for financial gain or messing with your computer making it slow and prone to crashing then it's time to fight back.

Here are 5 simple steps to stamp out spyware from your computer.

1. Download software from a reputable source. The most common way for spyware to sneak into your computer is from free software or peer-to-peer networks. If you really want to get your hands on some useful free software the best source is to go to download.com which has a no spyware policy. Be wary of any software that offers to download additional programs that you did not originally want.

2. Don't just download any anti-spyware software. Spyware creators have caught onto the fact that they are unwanted so they have craftily started creating so called spyware removal software to help you get rid of the very spyware they created. Don't be fooled, stick to credible spyware removers which are going to actually do the job of removing spyware from your computer.

3. Avoid dodgy websites that can potentially install spyware on your computer. Some dodgy sites use spyware as a way to supplement their income and it can result in harmful spyware being installed onto your computer. The most common dodgy sites are porn or gambling sites which can hijack your computer or annoy you with persistent spyware initiated advertising on your screen.

4. Have an up to date spyware removal software installed on your computer. Spyware like viruses are constantly being created and you therefore need to keep your spyware removal software up to date by utilizing their update feature. You need to be running your spyware removal software on a regular basis otherwise there isn't any point having it there just sitting on your computer. You will find that with some spyware you can clean your computer from them one day and they'll be there again the next.

5. Don't just rely on your anti-virus software. If you have an anti virus software already installed in your computer then that's great but don't expect it to also protect you from spyware. While many anti virus software these days also detect spyware you really need a designated software to protect you from spyware.

Article Source: http://www.search4articles.com

For more information on spyware and adware visit: www.spywareremovalsoft.com/

http://www.search4articles.com/Article/5-Simple-Steps-To-Stamp-Our-Spyware/21110

3 Must Ask Questions When Purchasing A Spyware Remover

2007-11-15T04:24:00.000-08:00

Spyware is one of several threats that can cause a surprising amount of damage to your computer. Along with that, spyware can help criminals carry out identity theft or other malicious activity. Since spyware is becoming more and more of a problem for computer users, many people are taking steps to combat this problem by purchasing spyware remover software. Security experts recommend this as part of a comprehensive strategy to limit the damage spyware can cause but there are some things you should look for in a good spyware remover. Here are my top 3 criteria for the average computer user.

1. Is the spyware remover easy to use?

When spyware infects your computer system, you don't have time to be fumbling through a 30-page manual or in contact with customer support trying to figure out how the software works. Therefore, it should be pretty intuitive to use, even for the basic computer user and shouldn't require you to be a computer whiz to understand how to scan your system.

2. Does the spyware remover offer real-time protection?

Real-time protection simply means that the software monitors programs as they start up, so that future instances of spyware have a greater chance of being detected and stopped before their even installed on your system or before they run for the first time. This is critical if you download a lot of software, including screensavers, games, or other applications.

3. Does the spyware remover allow you to schedule periodic scans?

The average computer user is far too busy to be concerned with keeping tabs on when the last time the computer was scanned for spyware was. Therefore, the anti-spyware program should have a feature, similar to what's found in most anti-virus programs, which allows you to schedule periodic scans of your computer. That way, you can set things up once when you first purchase the software, and then you only have to take notice when something comes up in the scan. Of course with good computing practices and safe internet surfing habits, the chances of something being found go down dramatically.

Use these three criteria as a guideline for what to look for as you research different spyware remover programs. There are quite a few programs available, but by using these criteria, you can quickly narrow down the available options to the cream of the crop. And the good thing is that you usually don't pay much more even though the software has these additional features.

Article Source: http://www.search4articles.com

For a limited time, get exclusive access to our anti spyware mini-course - protect yourself from this growing threat. A $29.00 value, yours free if you sign up now. Click here: Spyware Mini-Course.

http://www.search4articles.com/Article/3-Must-Ask-Questions-When-Purchasing-a-Spyware-Remover/9881

Special Report: Readers Take The Offensive Against Spyware

2007-11-15T04:23:00.000-08:00

Call it spyware, malware, or adware--users loathe it, ad networks love it, Congress has it in its crosshairs. Most importantly, as an IT professional, you can't ignore it. It slows down your users' systems, impacts your end users' productivity, and could even degrade performance of your networks and network applications.

Seeking to get a better handle on the spyware problem, InformationWeek.com asked readers to rate its impact today in an online poll. Their feedback was clear--spyware is a growing problem in the enterprise. The results from 941 responses to this online, nonscientific poll:

* Spyware is not a problem at all, we haven't noticed it, 6%
* It's a minor problem, we've had to clean up a few desktop PCs, 44%
* It's a major problem; we've been forced to clean up many PCs and institute corporate policies to prevent reoccurrence, 42%
* It's a catastrophic problem; it has caused major IT problems, including significant downtime or high costs to remove and monitor, 8%

Although antidotes do exist, spyware/adware is a fast-moving target and a tough challenge for IT departments to deal with. Walk through this InformationWeek.com Special Report to learn all about spyware, including the favored strategies and tools of InformationWeek.com readers for defending against it.

http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=26800193

Experts predict Firefox spyware will show up this year

2007-11-15T02:31:00.000-08:00

One of the main reasons for the Firefox browser's successful seizure of market share from Microsoft's Internet Explorer is the desire to escape the inundation of PC-slowing spyware. However, spyware experts indicate that with its increased popularity, Firefox itself will become a target for spyware creators, who are already poking at the open source browser alternative.

Webroot Vice President of Threat Research Richard Stiennon said he expects there will be spyware for Firefox this year, adding that while the browser was designed to be immune from the spyware infecting IE, Firefox will face a new breed of spyware tailored specifically for it.

"Basically, if you use Firefox today, you're not susceptible to any spyware, other than what you download when you're on Kazaa," Stiennon said. "The spyware writers target mostly Explorer users because that's the most fertile feeding ground for piranha-like (spyware) attacks. They'll watch as Firefox becomes mainstream, they'll see opportunity there and start targeting them."

Spyware action and reaction

Stiennon said while spyware for Explorer has become widespread and relatively easy to create, it will be the more advanced spyware writers who turn their sites on Firefox.

"It'll be the more sophisticated guys that'll write Firefox spyware," he said. "I predict that by the middle of the year, we'll start to see it."

Stiennon also said Firefox was created specifically, in part, to avoid the kind of spyware that has riddled Explorer along with worms and adware.

"Firefox was written for the existing world of Internet Explorer exploits, but it has its own vulnerabilities that will be exploited," he said.

Stiennon said while a computer running Firefox will still not be as good of a machine to infect with spyware and it takes the malicious software some time to have an impact, the Mozilla browser will come under fire as it nears and surpasses 10 percent market share.

Nevertheless, Stiennon also indicated the creators, maintainers, and even users of Firefox will quickly and aggressively step up their anti-spyware efforts along with the increased threat.

"The people who use Firefox -- their reaction to any spyware-type attacks will be pretty vehement," he said. "There'll be fast reaction from both Firefox developers and users."

Not so fast for Firefox

Despite Stiennon's prediction, other experts are not convinced that spyware will besiege Firefox as soon as this year. Computer Associates Director of Malicious Content Research Roger Thompson said although spyware for Firefox this year is possible, it is unlikely.

"It's possible," Thompson wrote in an email to NewsForge. "While user numbers would need to be pretty big to present a more attractive target than something known to be on about every desktop by default, I don't believe the botherds (a bot gives the botherd complete control over a "zombied" machine) are actually doing their own research. They are merely following the security lists closely, and quickly implementing those exploits, and vulnerability researchers probably do subject Firefox to scrutiny, and probably do find things, so it is possible.

"But unlikely," Thompson continued. "The preponderance of Internet Explorer users is simply too good a target. And in any case, it's just not necessary and only a small percentage of spyware plants via an exploit -- most relies on social engineering to 'talk' people into installing it, or by allying itself with some 'desirable' service or product, such as the various P2P networkers."

Thompson, however, said some typical spyware vectors may be open for Firefox, too. To infect and run on machines, for example, much of today's spyware either talks directly via port 80, or inserts itself as a Layered Service Provider (LSP), "which will nail Firefox too," Thompson said.

The expert also said with increased spyware competition, which he is seeing already, anything is possible. Thompson said while Firefox and other "non-IE" browsers avoid exploits, ActiveX control issues and browser helper object (BHO) issues, the alternatives are not necessarily immune to keyloggers, LSP injectors, remote administration tools, and adware that is "invited in."

In terms of the Firefox spyware tipping point, Thompson said he believed 10 percent market share might be too low, but again emphasized that increased spyware competition will put other browsers to the spyware test.

Working on it now

For his part, Stu Sjouwerman -- founder and COO of Counterspy maker Sunbelt Software -- agreed that Firefox spyware is likely in 2005.

"I'm pretty sure you can expect one or two Firefox (spyware) exploits before the end of the year," Sjouwerman said. "The more popular a platform gets, the more likely it is to come under attack. Firefox -- which I use myself -- I don't think is going to be immune from that. If you go wide like this, you have to expect that your product will be exposed to a trial by fire."

Sjouwerman reported that his company's research on Firefox revealed some Explorer-like situations that may draw spyware.

"We looked into it and found that the security of Firefox had similar openings or vectors where spyware can be utilized to exploit or bypass protection," he said.

Adding that the spyware exploits would have to be changed to target Firefox, Sjouwerman said once the alternative browser has around 15 percent of the browser market, it will be "commercially interesting" for spyware creators to target. In response to spyware for Firefox, Sjouwerman said developers and other backers of the alternative browser will fix the holes that allow it. Third-party companies, such as Sunbelt, will also provide protection against spyware for Firefox, he added. There is not yet a Firefox version of Sunbelt's CounterSpy anti-spyware, but it is coming, the company has said.

Sjouwerman indicated spyware writers are likely already playing with other, non-IE browsers and the first spyware for Firefox -- the most likely browser to "break through" with significant market share -- is probably coming soon.

"I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of Russian spyware writers were turning Firefox inside out," he said. "In the next couple of months, we'll see the first exploits."

http://www.linux.com/articles/42212

Detect Key Logger, Identity Theft Spyware

2007-11-15T02:28:00.000-08:00

To detect key logger spyware, you need to know what it is and how it works. Key logger is an invisible software program that identity thieves can use to track your online activity.

It is almost impossible to detect key logger on your computer and even if you’re careful you’ll never know if it is recording information such as bank account passwords and credit card numbers.

You won’t even see your machine slow down or see anything unusual. It just silently watches every keystroke you type in as if the identity thieves were standing over your shoulder.

At least on third of all online scams can now be traced to keylogging. If you type key logger into any Internet search engine you can find several perfectly legal ways to buy and install it.

Several businesses use key logger software to monitor employee activity and parents can use keylogging to check up on the web sites their children are visiting. But in the hands of a hacker wanting to steal your financial information, key loggers are extremely dangerous.

Attackers who use key logger spyware often sell the information to third parties who can funnel money out of bank accounts or charge up credit cards. Hackers who use keylogging to get into one computer at a company have the ability to steal vital information from the entire organization.

The best rule of thumb is to carefully monitor what you download on your computer and what sites you visit. The major sites of banks and retai
lers are usually relatively safe. But be aware of downloading free software from an unfamiliar site that could leave you vulnerable to a potential hacker.

Here are a few tips to protect you against keylogging:

# Never open spam e-mail.
# Do not open e-mail attachments from someone you don’t know.
# Do not click ok on pop-up windows without reading them first.
# Use a firewall to help prevent any unauthorized computer activity.
# Run a weekly, full system anti-virus computer scan.

Computer experts say the number of keylogging crimes is on the rise but there are ways to protect yourself . Detecting key logger spyware and destroying it can be done by installing spyware protection software.

Becoming aware of the different ways that you can avoid this from happening to you is the first step to protecting yourself.

This article is provided by http://www.spyware-information.com where you will find free spyware cleaners, downloads, removal software, computer firewalls and valuable tips. For regularly updated articles about adware, spyware and protection from identity theft go to http://spyware-information.com/articles_1.html

http://www.articleblog.cn/946/Detect-Key-Logger-Identity-Theft-Spyware.html

The Spyware Revolution!

2007-11-15T02:25:00.000-08:00

In 2000 Stardock was presented with an opportunity. It was near the height of the dot-coms and one of those dot-coms recognized a fundamental truth about WindowBlinds: It had the ability to fully control what was presented by the Windows GUI. So not only could WindowBlinds change the look and feel of your Windows GUI (title bars, push buttons, borders, etc.). But it could add new content. And one of these dot-coms came to us with a fairly straight forward proposition -- integrate advertisements into the Windows GUI and you could make big bucks. We turned them down.

While lots of money is always appealing, we did not want to be the company that made it possible for advertisers to take over your desktop. But that was before spyware really took off.

In the post-dot com collapse, advertising has lost much of its value but if companies could advertise without having to be on an actual website, they could still make money. And that's where spyware has come in. What is spyware? Odds are you have some on your computer. In fact, odds are you have a lot of Spyware on your computer. Spyware are various programs that manage to get themselves installed on your computer, usually without you knowing it. They sit there quietly informing their patrons what you are doing on your computer. Maybe they'll just report what websites you visit. Maybe they'll send back what programs you use. Maybe they'll list what songs you listen to. Who knows. Different programs spy on different things. Some of them will hijack your web browser so that you end up going to different websites than you intend to. Or maybe they'll pop up an advertisement randomly on your screen.

What they definitely do, besides invade your privacy, is cause all kinds of stability and performance issues on your computer. A couple of weeks ago I ended up having my system brought to its knees simply from having visited a website that used a vulnerability in Internet Explorer to install dozens of Spyware programs onto my computer. It took the better part of the day to get them off. They're as bad as viruses to remove and most anti-virus software won't remove them.

The program I've come to rely on is called Adaware. It'll scan your computer and remove much of the Spyware. If you haven't ever run one of these programs, you'll probably be shocked at a) how much of this crap has gotten onto your computer and b) how much it has slowed your computer down.

But that's not the worst part of it. Legitimate companies are increasingly putting Spyware in their software. The temptation is great. Stardock estimated that it could have generated between $600,000 to $800,000 last year in additional revenue by bundling Spyware with its software. It has rejected all proposals because it doesn't need to make money that way. Stardock generates its revenue by selling its software. On-line, you'll see on some tech forums people complain that Stardock is "greedy" because it charges money to buy full versions of some of its products. I would say this method is much better than the alternative. Because increasingly, "free" software and "free" services aren't really free anymore. They claim to be free but they put this stuff on your computer.

WinCustomize, for example, is paid for by the sales of software and subscriptions. But the revenue it receives is nothing compared to some of the other sites in its market that now bundle spyware with their downloads. As I make my rounds on the net, I see the trend moving forward -- more and more sites, more and more products are moving to Spyware. Why? Because its victims usually have no idea that they're even victims. The distributors of Spyware can make millions of dollars while most people are totally unaware that they are funding it.

The net result is that we are seeing a mini-resurgence of the Dot-Com era. Entire companies and industries and even business models are being funded by Spyware. Personally, I hope Microsoft updates Windows so that this junk can't get installed on your computer without your knowledge. It's a serious security issue. People shouldn't have things running on their computer that they haven't given their okay to. But one has to wonder what will happen to the industry and the products and services which have come to rely on it.

For this article I scanned one of my laptops. I have never intentionally installed any Spyware on my computer. These are programs that installed themselves after having been surfing the net. And I don't frequent porn or warez sites.

http://draginol.joeuser.com/articlecomments.asp?AID=13833&s=1

Article By Nanette Hughston: What is spyware? Why is it dangerous? These are two questi

2007-11-15T02:23:00.000-08:00

What is spyware? Why is it dangerous? These are two questions many people ask. In my opinion, spyware and adware are much more dangerous than a virus. Why? For one, spyware can steal your personal data as well as track your internet habits. Spyware is often located in web bugs or downloadable items such as music, screensavers or other types of digital downloadable media. It can actually be hidden in �legitimate� software. Many companies will mirror a well known company to get the consumer to buy the product, and unbeknownst to them there is spyware or adware buried in the software. You may get notices to upgrade your software through names such as Microsoft, Google, Adobe, etc. The best way to download a product is to go to the companies registered site and make sure your run an anti-spyware application.

For any of you who are affiliate marketers, there is a spyware named �Stealware� by the New York Times, which has also been called �Click Fraud� or �Affiliate Fraud�. This type of spyware will redirect the income of rightful affiliate�s commission to the account of the spyware account. This is horrible, as many affiliate marketers spend a lot of their time promoting and marketing as their source of income, these spyware users are robbing these people from their rightful commissions.

One of the biggest targets of adware and spyware is Internet Explorer. It is used most often world wide and has a reputation of having very weak security. It is intergrated into Windows OS and it has a scriptability which makes it very simple and susceptible to intrusion of these vicious software programs. There are also �Browser Helper Objects� which can simply attach to Internet Explorer. These help redirect traffic and add toolbars.

A very common complaint of
spyware is through �pop-up� advertisements. Like many banner advertisements, spyware ads will use flickering banners and animation designed to grab the users attention which makes them very distracting.

Spyware and Adware affect every user on the internet. All the information you enter on the web can be interceded. Unauthorized sites can add themselves to your desktop (icons). Unauthorized sites can add themselves to your list of favorites. Browsing activity can be tracked and monitored. Unwanted toolbars and searchbars can attach themselves to your browser without your knowledge or approval. Your personal information can be sold to other parties without your knowledge or consent. Your default homepage can be hijacked so you can�t change them. These malicious components not only invade your PC so they cannot be removed but take up your hard drive space and slow down your PC.

So what do you do when you think you are infected with adware or spyware? There are several free programs on the internet today, but I have found through much research and trial and error that the NoAdware software is the best on the market. The first time I ran it I had over 150 parasites that were cleaned and removed, but this was after a hacker from Korea had gone into my Paypal account and wiped out my checking account. He was able to steal my information from his spyware and I will never not run without this NoAdware program again.

The best advice I can give you, is be very careful. Protect yourself, your computer and make sure you change your passwords frequently so that you are secure with your web surfing. Never download digital products without a secure system. As the internet is a world of fun but it is also a world of thieves that won�t let much stand in their way.

Be safe and have fun surfing the World Wide Web and Beware of Adware and Spyware!!

http://www.content-articles.com/articles/23233/1/Article-By-Nanette-Hughston-What-is-spyware--Why-is-it-dangerous--These-are-two-questi/Page1.html

Dell charges $49 to remove their own spyware

2007-11-15T02:21:00.000-08:00

Not too shocking

Everything that is to come is a perfect example of why I never have and never will buy a pre-built PC from a system builder if I can help it.

Michael Amor Righi is just a regular guy running a computer training/consulting company out of Pittsburgh. Like any regular person could be expected to do, Mr. Righi -- finding the need to purchase a Windows-based PC due to work-related complications -- went to Dell. Upon using the new Dell for some time, he discovered that it came with "My Way Search Assistant" conveniently pre-installed, courtesy of Dell.

As any gullible Windows user is probably aware, My Way is a neat little piece of spyware that spies on your surfing habits so that it can annoy you with targeted advertising. Obviously Dell gets some kick-backs from this unscrupulous company for bundling My Way's garbage with every Dell computer, but what I don't understand is why -- you've paid Dell for the computer, why the hell should you endure advertisements on your own computer from that point on?

Anyway, obviously Mr. Righi wasn't too pleased about this, so he attempted to un-install the filth with the Add/Remove Programs control panel. No go -- upon rebooting, the thing was still there. Being a paying customer, Mr. Righi then did the reasonable thing, and called Dell. The following (from Michael's blog post) ensued:

After a 30 minute wait on hold, a man with an Indian accent who asked to be called Stewart answered the phone. Our (abbreviated) conversation went something like this:

Stewart: What seems to be the problem?
Me: I’d like to remove My Way Search Assistant from my computer. I tried to remove it through the Control Panel, but it still appears in “Add or Remove Programs.”
Stewart: What do you know about this program?
Me: I know that this is Spyware and I know that I want it off my machine.
Stewart: How did My Way get onto your computer in the first place?
Me: What do you mean? It came pre-installed when I bought my computer from Dell.
Stewart: I have trouble believing that this was on your computer when you purchased it.
Me: So do I Stewart, so do I.

Obviously Stewart is not very up to date with the sotware Dell pre-installs on their computers. If anybody doubts that Dell has a relationships with My Way, one only need visit http://www.dell4me.com/myway/.

Stewart then explained that he would no longer be able to assist me with my problem. He indicated that I would need to contact software support services for help removing the spyware that Dell installed on my machine. Oh yeah, and he indicated that they would charge my credit card for the call. $49, specifically.

What Dell is doing should be illegal. They are being paid to install spyware on new computers. They are making it difficult for customers to remove the spyware on their own. Then, they charge $49 to teach you how to remove it. This would be like a doctor being paid to infect you with a disease and then charging you for the antidote.

What more needs to be said?

That, my friends, is why I make an active effort to avoid using pre-built Windows PCs -- let alone buy them. Unfortunately, in the notebook PC world, you have little choice, so my course of action changes track:

* Buy computer, unpack
* Turn on, wait an excruciantingly long amount of time while Windows and boat-loads of spyware/memory-consuming filth load
* Take note of hardware in the machine
* Format the hard drive and re-install Windows from an original retail disc

Sadly, not even my iBook G4 from Apple was immune to bloat -- the stock 40 GB hard drive already came with 12 - 15 GB consumed by garbage I didn't need. That underwent a format and fresh re-install almost instantly as well.

It's a sad state of affairs indeed.

http://www.neoseeker.com/news/story/5703/

ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware free for a day

2007-11-15T02:18:00.000-08:00

Check Point Software decided to use Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday as a vehicle for a free promotion of its software. For one day only, you can download ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware absolutely free.

ZoneAlarm Spyware aims to keep your machine free of spyware and also comes packaged with ZoneAlarm Firewall. To qualify, all you have to do is provide your full name and a valid e-mail address, and then details of the download will be sent to you. You are also signing up to receive advertising from Check Point, but you can unsubscribe when you start receiving its promotions if you so wish.

The offer allows one download per e-mail address and expires November 14 at 7am PST.

Read more at PC Pro and the ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware freebie Web page.

Matthew’s Opinion

If you currently use free software security packages to protect your PC, then there is no reason not to take Check Point up on this offer for added security. Even if you pay for your security solution, maybe there is a second PC in the house or a friend you know who may benefit from this freebie?

I run the free version of ZoneAlarm on my second PC at home and have been really impressed. Its updates are regular, and I have yet to get infected. I also tried a free trial of Anti-Spyware a while ago, and it did the job of weeding out potential spyware on my system.

http://www.geek.com/zonealarm-anti-spyware-free-for-a-day/?rfp=dta

My computer was invaded and so was yours

2007-11-15T02:15:00.000-08:00

I didn’t know it when it happened and I couldn’t tell that it had occurred. I thought I my computer was protected. I did all of the right things. I’m behind a firewall, I have Norton Anti-Virus installed. I have my browser privacy and security levels set so high that I have to lower them several times a day just to visit popular news Web sites. I delete my browser’s cookies daily. With all of that effort, I was confident that my computer was fully protected. It was not. Commercial Web sites had installed spyware on my computer and were tracking my every move through the Web.

Advertisers and others, installed programs (not cookies) in my computer with the intent of tracking my online behavior. Some of these programs were installed in my computer’s operating system registry, deeply buried and disguised. If you attempt to open the registry of Windows, you will receive a warning that the registry should only be manipulated by a systems administrator. I discovered more than eighty of spyware programs on one of my computers. Many of the programs were imbedded in the Windows registry.

How did I get the spyware? From visiting standard commercial Web sites. Some of the largest and best known corporations in America install spyware on the computers of visitors to their commercial Web sites without the permission of the visitor. Examples include Real Networks http://www.real.com and Kazaa http://www.kazaa.com.

I installed a free program called PestPatrol http://www.pestpatrol.com to rid my computer of spyware and thought I had a handle on the problem. I then installed another free program called Adaware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware and ran it. After PestPatrol found dozens of spyware programs installed on my computer and removed them, Adaware found dozens more.

The practice of corporations installing spyware on personal computers should be illegal, a Federal offense. If I did the reverse and installed spyware on every government employee’s browser who visited one my Web sites, it would certainly lead to my arrest. Could you imagine the penalties for installing spyware on a corporate or government computer? This is an example where corporations and others are allowed to hack into your computer and spy, but not be spied upon. In my opinion, the existing laws against computer hacking need to explicitly include corporations and their behavior towards consumers. The same penalties should apply to corporations as apply to individual hackers.

I did not give Real Networks, Kazaa, or any other corporation the right to spy on my behavior in any way. I consider any intrusion by them as unlawful entry into my home and into my personal affairs. Doesn’t our constitution say something about our right to privacy that covers this issue? I want to see corporations and government agencies answerable to the same stringent legal standards regarding computer hacking that apply to me.

I don’t know if any of the spyware programs discovered on my computers originated from government agencies. The spyware removal programs didn’t provide me with enough information about the programs to make a determination. However, it was spooky to contemplate how easily a government out of control could start tracking the behavior of its citizens using this kind of technology in the name of national security.

Run one of the anti-spyware programs on your computer and let me know how many times your computer privacy was breached? I think you will be depressed when you discover how many corporations have been watching your computer behavior. While you are sitting at your computer enraged by what you discover, give some thought as to how long your Web browsing behavior was spied upon.

If you get really mad about this, contact your legislators and demand that they take action. It is, after all, their job to defend the constitution and represent you. Next, contact the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union and request their assistance.
Recommended Reading
Web sites

* American Civil Liberties Union. http://www.aclu.org/.

* Electronic Frontier Foundation. http://www.eff.org. EFF is one of the few organizations protecting your electronic rights. They deserve your support.

* OptOut by Steve Gibson http://grc.com/optout.htm. Steve Gibson is a champion of computer security and privacy and should be every Web surfer’s hero. Gibson makes a clear case to stop corporations and others from unethically using access to your computer to spy on you.

* Spyware Guide. http://www.spywareguide.com/product_list_full.php. Curious whether software installed on your computer is spyware? This Web site publishes a list of known software that uses spyware. It’s a long list.

Software (for Windows computers)

* Adaware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware. Recommended. The interface is elegant and easy to use. It is also thorough. (Freeware).

* MRU-Blaster http://www.wilderssecurity.com/mrublaster.html. “MRU-Blaster is an all-new program, made to do one large task - detect and clean MRU (most recently used) lists on your computer. These MRU lists contain information such as the names and/or locations of the last files you have accessed. But they are located ALL OVER your registry, and for almost ANY file type. By looking at these MRU lists, someone could determine what files you opened/saved/looked at, what their file names were, and much more! (And, in many cases, the lists are displayed in drop-down menus automatically.)” This program eliminates data that spyware programs track.

* Norton Anti-Virus from Symantec http://www.symantec.com/.

* PestPatrol http://www.pestpatrol.com. This the first anti-spyware software I used on my computer. I thought it was doing a great job until I installed Adaware. (Freeware).

* Spybot - Search & Destroy. http://spybot.safer-networking.de/. Untested. (Freeware).

* Zone Alarm Pro from Zone Labs. http://www.zonelabs.com Although Zone Alarm Pro is not designed to perform anti-spyware tasks, it can be used to prevent spyware from sending information from your computer.

Books

* Database Nation : The Death of Privacy in the 21st Century by Simson Garfinkel.

* Privacy in the Information Age. by Fred H. Cate, Michael H. Armacost

* Technology and Privacy: The New Landscape by Philip E. Agre, Marc Rotenberg.

* The Transparent Society: Will Technology Force Us to Choose Between Privacy and Freedom? by David Brin

* The Unwanted Gaze: The Destruction of Privacy in America by Jeffrey Rosen. Book Excerpt: "At the beginning of the twenty-first century, new technologies of communication have increased the danger that intimate personal information originally disclosed to our friends and colleagues may be exposed to -- and misinterpreted by -- a less understanding audience. For as thinking and writing increasingly take place in cyberspace, the part of our life that can be monitored and searched has vastly expanded. E-mail, even after it is ostensibly deleted, becomes a permanent record that can be resurrected by employers or prosecutors at any point in the future. On the Internet, every Web site we visit, every store we browse in, every magazine we skim, and the amount of time we spend skimming it, create electronic footprints that can be traced back to us, revealing detailed patterns about our tastes, preferences, and intimate thoughts." -- from the prologue of 'The Unwanted Gaze'

I'm told that this problem does not exist for Linux users.

http://www.maxlent.com/spyware.htm

Understanding Spyware

2007-11-15T02:12:00.000-08:00

Spyware is a "malware" or malicious software that is placed on your computer without your knowledge. This can happen when you visit online web sites offering free downloads of games, when you download videos or music, or any share files, such as when you download that comic e mail from your friend. Spyware programs are piggybacked into your machine at the same time you download a file. Spyware is infecting millions of home computers today.

Spyware tracks your on line computer habits. It knows each site you visit and what you have looked up on that site. Some spyware even tracks each keystroke you make, including every bit of information you fill out on a form, such as name and address, and credit card information when you make a purchase. This has some in the online world worried that this can lead to identity theft and stealing of credit card numbers. Your computer surfing habits and personal information is then sold to businesses. The spyware business is a billion dollar industry, with lots of people getting rich selling your information without your knowledge.

Another problem with spyware is that unless you run anti spyware software often, you don't know that spyware been installed until your computer starts to slow down. By the time your computer slows down due to spyware you could have as many as six or seven different spyware programs running in the background.

You can get rid of spyware by running any of the number of anti-spyware programs available on the market today. Run these programs often. Some suggest that after you run an anti spyware program that you re-boot your computer and run the software again to make sure there are no "ticklers". Ticklers are designed to reinstall spyware.

The best way to avoid spyware is to stay away from downloading freebies. Don't open unsolicited e-mail, delete it before you open it. When downloading any software, even legitimate software programs from the internet read the end users agreement thoroughly. Some of these agreements will state that they are installing spyware type software, and by you downloading their program you are agreeing to let them put spyware on your computer. If you know this then you have the ability to say yes, or no and protect your personal information.

http://www.wearticles.com/Computers/Spyware/200709/25337.html

Spyware And Internet Security 101

2007-11-14T02:22:00.000-08:00

If you aren't a heavy computer user, you may have never heard of spyware. Even if you have heard of it, you may have ignored all the buzz about spyware. After all, it isn't that big a deal, right? Actually, spyware is a very serious problem. This software is designed to gather information about your financial and personal information, including all of your online activity. In the hands of someone who has created spyware, this information can cause a lot of damage. People who don't know how unsafe it is to use computers without spyware protection are as open to attack as a bank that doesn't lock the doors. If you are uninformed about spyware, it is time to learn how it works and how to protect your computer.

Spyware, as the name implies, is software that is created to spy on you in a way that allows it to go undiscovered. It collects all sorts of data, from where you go on the internet to what passwords you use. If this doesn't worry you, you may not be thinking about all of the things you do on the internet, including shopping with your credit cards, online banking and even inputting your social security number on secure sites, such as online tax programs. The information that is gathered goes right to the creator of the spyware program, who can use the information to steal your identity, ruin your credit and do all sorts of additional damage.

So, how do you even get spyware on your computer when you don't download programs or open email attachments? Unfortunately, spyware doesn't need your help to arrive on your computer. All you have to do is visit an infected website. If you are without spyware protection, you'll never even realize the website downloaded a program to your computer. It only takes seconds for the damage to occur and you don't have to do anything to start the process. Simply visiting the site will trigger the download. Besides collecting information, some of these nasty little programs come with an unwelcome bonus - a trojan virus.

Knowing that websites can just download spyware doesn't help if you don't know which types of websites to avoid. Usually, if a website is set up to provide free downloads of porn, warez, or mp3s, it is set up so the owner can profit from unsuspecting victims. As you click on a download link for a cool new game, you are actually setting yourself up for a major mess. It looks like nothing bad happened, since you get the game and it seems to work. However, along with the game, a spyware maker will have added programs that look like innocent helper applications for the game, but are actually collecting your information. You find out what is going on when you are bombarded by useless junk mail and your computer slows to a turtle's pace from all the viruses on your hard drive. Then, you get your credit card statements and realize that they are filled with charges someone else made.

Of course, spyware makers aren't going to depend on just one way to get their nasty little surprise on your hard drive. They also love to include spyware with free software programs. Remember the old adage "You don't get something for nothing." whenever you decide to opt for free software instead of paying for an application from a reputable software manufacturer. Another trick that spyware makers have recently started using is requiring people who download their free movies or mp3s to use a media player they have created to play them. Of course, that media player comes complete with spyware and viruses.

You may be wondering how to find out whether you already are infected with spyware. The easiest way to see if something is going on is to look at your computer's performance. Is it moving very slowly? Does it take a long time for your browser to respond? Do windows and ads you didn't open pop up on your screen? Those are all signs that point to a spyware infestation on your computer.

Once you realize that you have a problem, you'll need to deal with it right away. The easiest way is to get an anti-spyware program, such as Lavasoft Adaware or spybot Search and Destroy. They will clear up your current problem. Then, you should stop them from coming back with a combined protection plan that uses anti-virus software and a good firewall program. The anti-spyware program will catch any programs that somehow manage to get through the cracks.

Remember, spyware programs are nothing to fool around with. As annoying as it is to have popups opening faster than you can close them, having a big financial mess to clean up is even worse.

About the Author

Has your computer slowed down to a crawl? Are you blind from staring at annoying popups? Learn to how to delete spyware and adware from your computer forever. Source: www.cpusecurity.com
Source: www.isnare.com
EXO spy - articles

Spyware - Get your Basics Right!

2007-11-14T02:21:00.000-08:00

Spyware! Spyware! Nowadays, we all get to hear this word more often that what would make us feel comfortable. What exactly is Spyware? Spyware can be defined as any technology that aids a group in collecting information about a person or organization from their computers without their knowledge.

Spyware! Spyware! Nowadays, we all get to hear this word more often that what would make us feel comfortable. What exactly is Spyware? Spyware can be defined as any technology that aids a group in collecting information about a person or organization from their computers without their knowledge. This is widely accepted as an encroachment of privacy. Now, how does this spyware actually reach your computer? Spyware can be installed in your computer via any program or software your download in your machine, while surfing the net. In most cases, you will not realize that you have installed something unwanted till things start going wrong or rather start smelling fishy (not literally, though!). What you need here is a spyware removal program to bail you out.

Get Rid Of Spyware Programs

Ok, if it is unwanted and I want to get rid of spyware, I can delete it anytime with the help of the ‘add or remove programs’ feature in my computer! Why would I need a spyware removal program? Well, what you need to understand is that spyware are not just any Tom Dick and Harry looking through your stuff. Spyware mingle with your registry files. Looking for them and deleting the right files, is like looking for a needle in a haystack!

There are people who can inflict quite a big dent on your reputation with the help of spyware, if they are in the mood to do so! Damage? Yes, spyware programs are not necessarily innocent knowledge gathering gimmicks by advertising companies. Those are called adware programs. Spyware programs, also known as tracking software can actually turn your computer to a source of viruses for thousands of machines. If an investigation is carried out, you will be the one to face the rut!

Now that you have realized that spyware can be bad for your health, what can you do to ensure that it stays out of your life and the computer? The first step you can take is block pop ups in your browser. Second, try avoiding downloads from websites you are not sure of, especially downloading pirated versions of paid software. You may actually be downloading malicious spyware or irritating adware in your machine instead! Finally, do not click on any URLs sent you via emails, unless of course you are sure about its authenticity.

Look around for free spyware killer programs on the net. Companies like Microsoft, Google and Yahoo offer free spyware removal programs that can be updated regularly. Various companies are offering spyware removal tools for free or for a nominal charge. It would be a good idea to download a trial version of any of the programs free and then depending on your experience purchase the full version. Getting a full version is essential because the trial versions in most cases lack some key feature and do not offer full functionality.

About Author

spyware removal program Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com/author-apurva-4684.html

Spyware Stats to pay attention to.

2007-11-14T02:19:00.000-08:00

In early 2005 Webroot Software released its State of Spyware Report which was conducted by Webroot and Earthlink. In the survey over 4.6 million computer systems were scanned during 2004 and the results have shown how threatening spyware has become.

It was suggested that more than 90 percent of all computers with internet connections are infected with spyware. During the first quarter of 2005 approximately 88 percent of systems scanned with Webroot's SpyAudit software had some sort of unwanted application detected.

On corporate computers over 55 percent of PCs had unwanted programs, excluding cookies because they are thought not to be as intrusive or detrimental. The corporate computers averaged 7.2 non-cookie spyware infections per computer.

In 2004 the last quarter yielded 19 percent of consumer and business computers with keyloggers and in the first quarter of 2005 that number had dropped to 7 percent, according to systems scanned with Webroot's software. In both the last quarter of 2004 and first quarter of 2005 19 percent of consumer PCs and 7 percent of business PCs had Trojans.

Another daunting piece of information gather through online research by Phileas is that 4,294 sites were found to have some type of spyware. This information has proven that in a short amount of time spyware has skyrocketed into the top internet threat. As the internet become a rapidly growing medium used by millions online threats such as spyware can thrive and spread a quick rate, infecting and damaging nearly all user unless protective measures are taken.

Mitch Johnson is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for http://www.1st-in-spyware.com/ , a site that focuses exclusively on spyware removal software, as well as tips on how to prevent spyware from popping up on your computer. This site articles on has spyware guard, http://www.easy-spyware-killer.info/ as well as spyware scanner, http://www.easy-remove-spyware.info/

http://www.anti-spyware-tools.com/Spyware-Stats-To-Pay-Attention-To.html

The Number One Way to KICK Spyware!

2007-11-14T02:16:00.000-08:00

Tired of spyware slowing down your computer?

If you answered yes, then I am going to help you. If you are tired of random web pages popping up when you’re not even surfing the web, then I am going to help you. If you’re tired of having tons of toolbars in your browser than you never installed, then I can help!

Adware Alert is a great program to keep spyware off of your computer, and to remove existing problems. It’s user friendly, and offers a totally free scan with no strings attached.

If you have tried everything else, and nothing seems to work. Then Adware Alert is perfect for you!

I’m not some paid marketer, I’m a real person just like you. I’ve been searching for months for a program to help me remove the spyware\adware that plagues my computer. Now I’ve finally found it.

Click here to get started with your free scan. I promise you won’t be let down.

Have a great day.

http://sonofird.wordpress.com/2007/10/29/the-number-one-way-to-kick-spyware/

How to Stop Spyware from Infecting your System

2007-11-14T02:15:00.000-08:00

Spyware is becoming more and more of a problem. When I visit a cusomters site and inspect the computers I always find some kind of spyware on the system. I know that many people have been unaware of spyware, but hopefully now that the word is spreading that people will be more aware of the problem and setup a good defense. I get a get calls or questions to the effect of "Why is my computer running so slow? I just bought the computer recently". Most of the time this is because of spyware. Spyware programs will load on boot up and take up your computer memory that will reduce your performance. I will go over my typical setup to prevent and battle spyware. This system works if all of the current spyware has been removed properly. I will leave that to another article.

Spyware is loaded on a computer over the Internet without the user knowing. It is loaded in the background through holes in a user's computer setup. Internet Explorer has been very vulnerable to spyware and is a major reason why so many people are getting infected. Spyware ranges from more benign programs to more extreme programs that will hijack your browser's startup page or cause pop ups to occur relentlessly. The following is the defense system that I use, and I strongly suggest that you use.

1. Download and install all of the latest updates to your software. Once a week you should be checking for software updates to install. This will help protect you against the latest threats.

2. Use a firewall. Many people have a direct connection the Internet and do not setup and run a personal firewall. This can potentially be very dangerous. Firewalls should be running for protection against many potential problems including hackers, spyware, and data protection. Windows XP has a built in firewall. Make sure you have updated your system to Service Pack 2 (SP2) if you have Windows XP. Microsoft has added many security features and fixed bugs in this update and should be updated as soon as possible.

Sygate Personal Firewall is a free personal edition firewall that works pretty well. You can download it at http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm

3. Install and run Spybot Search & Destroy. Spybot is a great spyware detection and removal tool. This is a free tool that should be run often to make sure spyware has not been loaded onto your system. Every time that Spybot is used make sure that all of the latest updates are downloaded first. Updating to the latest Spybot files will allow detection and removal of the latest spyware programs. You can download Spybot at http://www.safer-networking.org.

4. Install and run Adaware. Adaware is another free spyware/adware detection and removal tool. I've found that using just one spyware detection tool is not enough. Using these two tools will detect and remove a majority of the spyware programs on your machine. This tool should be run in conjunction with Spybot. Again, make sure the latest updates are downloaded and installed each time Adaware is used. Download it at http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/.

5. Use an Anti-virus program. Viruses can cause a lot of headaches for people. Since Viruses have been well publicized, I have noticed many people have an anti-virus program installed. However, people never update to the latest definition file. This is a must because the latest definition file will provide defenses against the latest viruses. If you do not update this file, you are only protecting yourself against the viruses that are known to the date of the definition file. Either setup your anti-virus program to automatically update the definition file every week, or make sure that you manually update the file every week.

6. Use Mozilla Firefox 1.0 browser. Change your browser to the recently released free Firefox browser. Internet Explorer has many holes that spyware programs target and exploit. Microsoft has tried to keep up and release updates to fix the problems, but it seems like after every fix a new vulnerability is discovered. To protect your system, just download Firefox and start to use it as your default browser. Firefox is setup very similar to Internet Explorer; so learning how to use the new browser will not be a problem. You can configure the browser to block pop-ups. This is a nice feature to battle those annoying pop-up windows. It also has a great tab feature. This allows you to open multiple pages inside one browser window. Visit http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/ to download the latest version.

The above spyware prevention system should help your computer or network stay protected and running at optimal performance. If you have never run a spyware program such as Spybot or Adaware I think you will be amazed at what is detected on your system. Sometimes I find over 100 suspect spyware programs installed on computers. No wonder your system is running slow.

About The Author
Ray Bonneau owns an on site computer repair, information technology solutions company in the Dallas, TX area. They perform on site repairs for residential and small businesses; focusing mainly on providing IT support for small businesses. Visit http://www.dallascomputersolutions.com for more information or to sign up for a monthly newsletter. Ray can also be reached at ray@dallascomputersolutions.com

Spyware Solution

2007-11-14T02:14:00.000-08:00

Probably Today's Biggest Computer Problem You Suffer Without Knowing Your PC is Infected!
"The effects can be devastating...and very costly"
"Probably the biggest problem PC User's are experiencing right now"

Symptoms

* PC runs very slowly for no apparent reason
* It is difficult to access the Internet
* Bandwidth seems to be reduced
* Unwanted popup ads and often when you are not even surfing the web
* Changed Internet Explorer home page, (known as Hijacking)
* Your PC is slowing down to a crawl.

Why You Should Fear Spyware

Personal information is collected from you without your knowledge or permission. Scary!

Spyware collects information from you on a range of areas, from all the Web sites you visit, to more sensitive information like user names and passwords and even banking details. Personal Information you would never give out if someone asked you for it! Spyware collects it covertly. The primary objective of Spyware is to steal information. Your 'personal' information!

Be aware, some Spyware may run unnoticed without any outward signs of infection. Do not be fooled. It could still mean you have a major problem! Spyware removal is required.

How does Spyware get onto your PC if you don't knowingly download it?

Many PC user's ask this question. The answer is that if you or your teenage children download music from file-sharing programs, free games from certain sites, ring tones or other software programs from unknown sources -you can easily become infected with Spyware!

Spyware uses security holes in the Windows Operating System, and many people are very surprised to hear that infection can occur without any actual conscious actions of your own.
Do not confuse Spyware with virus's. Even if you have a virus checker this will not stop Spyware. It is a totally different threat.

It is annoying. All you probably want to do is surf the internet as simply as possible. The proliferation of threatening attacks to your system make this more and more difficult, unless you have the right set of tools in place to protect yourself.

How Do You Protect Yourself?

The best way to check for infection is to scan your machine with an effective program capable of protecting you. One thing you should be very aware of, are the 'free' programs offering to solve such a problem. Unless they are recommended by a professional source, you should steer clear of such programs. It has been found that many 'free' programs simply add to your problems, by adding more Spyware or other malicious programs to your computer. Even if you have not experienced it, you probably know or have heard of someone that has had their home page hijacked or their web search pages involuntarily redirected.

Recommended solutions? There are a few legitimate programs which actually do what they say they will do. 'Counterspy' is such a program. 'CounterSpy' uses extensive Spyware signature databases, real- time security agents, and ThreatNet to protect your machine from many types of Spyware, adware, browser hijackers, malware, search hijackers, keyloggers, ghost spammers, and spy software. If you do not want to be targeted with offers of goods you don't want and you want to feel secure, knowing your personal information is safe - then CounterSpy is the program you are looking for.

One great benefit of CounterSpy is the real-time agents that monitor your computer 24/7, securing certain key areas. Malicious Spyware authors are dubious and crafty. With CounterSpy you stack the odds in your favour and dramatically reduce the odds of Spyware installing on your machine.

There are no know issues with CounterSpy running with other programs, so you should find it blends in nicely with any existing programs you are running. I work in the PC maintenance and repair field and have found the program works as it says. A good number of other satisfied users that I have referred also rate this program.

The program has a 15 day free trial and a 30 Day Guarantee to ensure you are satisfied with the program. Its excellent value for money at $19 (or approximately £10 ) for one full year, including updates. The price in year 2 is roughly half the original price -so it really is a good deal.

I believe that £10 spent on prevention, is far better than paying out £100 later, if you have a real bad problem this program could have prevented.

Referring back to the guarantee, if you are not satisfied, your money is refunded in full. (Guarantee is provided by the makers of the software). A very good guarantee from an established company, with a quality product. I use the product myself daily. My opinion is that it will help in your fight to keep your computer running in top condition and more importantly, keeping your personal information more secure. You can try out the program for yourself -just go here http://www.gotopchelp.com/web/spyware

About The Author

Stephen Wilk is the author of various technology articles and runs a commercial PC maintenance, repair and sales business. Stephen has already helped many people solve their frustrating computer problems. Web Site http://www.gotopchelp.com/ Article URL: http://www.gotopchelp.com/web/spyware
Send email to: itman6666-m2@yahoo.co.uk

Protecting Your Computer from Adware and Spyware

2007-11-14T02:13:00.000-08:00

Recently, while checking our company web site statistics, we noticed a number of referrals from gambling and pornography sites. Since we are certain these types of sites would not house links to us, we investigated further and determined that some of our faithful visitors may be the victims of adware or spyware.

What is adware?

Adware, in it's most sinister incarnation, is a program that runs on your computer (like a virus) and occassionally pops up ads or redirects your browser to websites you had not chosen to visit.

What is spyware?

Spyware is software that collects personal information from you without your knowledge or permission. The information spyware collects can range from all the web sites you visit to sensitive information including user names and passwords.

How can I make sure I don't get these on my computer?

* Never download programs or files from a website you don't know and trust.
* Never open email attachments unless you know what they are. If you receive an email from a friend, but the text is strange and you don't know what the attachment is do not open it. Write to your friend and make sure they sent the email.
* Keep an antivirus program running on your computer at all times.

You may also want to download Microsoft's Spyware program which can be found free here: http://www.microsoft.com/
More comprehensive articles on adware and spyware may be found here:

http://cexx.org/problem.htm
http://arstechnica.com/articles/paedia/malware.ars?72460\
http://www.adware.info/

About The Author

An authority on integrated web databases, Amanda Huber is co-owner of Vulcan Creative Labs, LLC (http://www.vulcancreative.com/) and DeadFred.com, an online genealogy photo archive. She occasionally contributes articles for Dead Fred's e-newsletter Relatively Speaking which help genealogy researchers with more technical aspects of their online tasks.

Protect Your PC - Avoid Spyware And Adware

2007-11-14T02:08:00.000-08:00

Spyware is tracking software that is secretly planted on your computer, and used to gather information about your browsing habits. Adware is advertising that comes loaded with freeware and shareware programs. When you use adware-supported programs, you will see ads popping up happening all over your computer screen at regular intervals. Both adware and spyware have tremendous nuisance value and must be done away with as quickly as possible.

You will be surprised to know that the distribution of online advertisements via spyware and adware is a massive $2 billion industry (Source: Webroot Software, Inc). Both adware and spyware are hostile pieces of software that require a fitting reply from the average Internet surfer.

According to statistics published by the National Cyber Security Alliance, more than 90% of all PCs are affected by spyware. Spyware is programmed so craftily that it slips through firewalls and anti-virus software. Once it gets into the system and begins its act, there's hell to pay – your personal and confidential information is compromised along with your computer's performance. But there's a little bit of good news – Spyware programs do not self-replicate like viruses and Trojans, and hence removal becomes an easy task once they are caught.

Typically, spyware gets installed on a system in three ways:

1. In most cases, spyware gets into the computer when a user installs it unknowingly. This is because spyware may come bundled with a freeware/shareware program. Once spyware gets installed, it begins collecting data from the user's hard drive and passes on the data to its author, either for his own use or for selling the information to a third party. Many peer-to-peer sharing programs have spyware and adware built into them, and you should think about the consequences before downloading and installing them.

Before downloading any freeware/shareware program, it is important to read the license agreement. Most license agreements of such software explicitly state that adware/spyware comes bundled along with their software. Unfortunately, most Internet users do not take the time to read and understand these agreements. Some of these agreements include special “opt-out” boxes, using which the user can stop the spyware from being included in the download. So, remember to pay extra attention to the license agreement the next time you download freeware/shareware.

2. Another method of planting software is by tricking the user by simulating Microsoft Windows pop-ups and prompts. No sooner does a user click on these simulated prompts, the spyware/adware gets installed on his system. This occurrence is common amongst users of Internet Explorer. Anyway, the latest version of Internet Explorer does make life a little more difficult for these hackers.

3. Finally, developers of spyware design it in such a way that it attacks the vulnerable security areas of the browser/operating system, and manages to worm its way into the system. You have to be careful before visiting websites that allow you to download music free of charge or other websites with explicit and objectionable material, because every page on such sites is armed with adware/spyware waiting to worm into your system.

About the Author:

Go To My PC is used for remote PC access. With GoToMeeting or Go To Meeting you can hold online meetings with a worldwide audience.

Read more articles by: Chris Schmidt
Article Source: www.iSnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=197696&ca=Computers+and+Technology

Top Five 'Spyware Fighting' Tips

2007-11-13T02:48:00.000-08:00

Whether you realize it or not, there's a quiet little battle raging
on your computer. In one corner you have your faithful PC;
in the other are malicious agents such as spyware, adware, malware,
viruses, worms, and Trojans. Since the victor of this battle will
decide who really controls your computer - use these 5 'Spyware
Fighting' tips to make sure you win the battle!

Spyware and adware are becoming major problems for online
surfers and PC owners. Some highly respected sources such as
AOL, Earthlink and Webroot place the rate of infection at 80-90%
of all computers. Granted, some of this percentage is taken up
by relatively benign tracking cookies, but other types like
keyword logging, system monitors, worms and Trojans present a
major threat to your privacy and may even do serious damage to
your computer.

With the occurrences of Spyware increasing daily, chances are high that
you will be going into battle against Spyware very soon - so if
you need a battle plan - Try these 5 Tips:

1. Go on the offensive. Fight spyware before it even arrives on
your computer. Make sure you have a good 'anti-virus software'
program running on your PC. Many ISPs (Internet Service Providers)
now offer anti-virus programs or even purchasing a commercial product
is to your advantage. Get a program or product that is regularly
updated to fend off the latest viruses, adware, worms, trojans and
spyware.

2. Put up a Firewall. A Firewall should be one of your first lines of
defense against spyware. A Firewall is simply a system or gateway designed
to prevent unauthorized access to your computer or network. Check out
www.zonealarm.com, they provide a free Firewall for individual users.
Download their program and place it on your PC.

3. Don't open Emails and Attachments from people you don't know.
Use common sense, DON'T open any emails from people you don't know.
Especially, do not open any Attachments until they are scanned for spyware and
viruses. Many mail servers will do these scans for free.

4. Keep Your Operating System Up to Date. Be aware of what's on
your system - do regular spyware and adware scans to see exactly what's on
your computer. Know your machine! You may be horrified to learn someone may
be monitoring your every 'keystroke' and every 'image' you've viewed on
your computer. So scan regularly and also make sure you download the newest
updates from your Operating System; these often contain patches or fixes
for serious breaches of security of your PC.

5. Back-up Your System. If all the above steps fail, nothing is foolproof,
any computer that uses the Internet can be hacked, so you need to back-up
your important data. You can use floppy disks, CDs or use a second computer
that's not connected to the net just for storage or back-up of your sensitive
data/programs. An inexpensive notebook computer can be used to make
daily/weekly back-ups of your vital data and programs.

In conclusion, the best defense against any spyware is a strong offense.
Be prepared, be aware, but most of all, be battle-ready: have a system in
place that will nuke these spyware agents before they even reach your computer.
Choose your weapons carefully, be merciless, be thorough and take no prisoners!
This is one battle you can't afford to lose.

Implement and Use these 5 helpful 'Spyware Fighting' tips and the
Victory is yours!

About the Author

To learn more about Spyware and Adware Click Here:
href="http://www.bizwaremagic.com/spyware-removal-guide.htm">Spyware
Remover Guide

Copyright © 2005 Titus Hoskins of www.bizwaremagic.com.

This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays
attached.

Titus Hoskins

Hackers are Real-Time: Are you?
eWeek SIM / SEM Case Study - real security ROI
Security Information and Event Management Vendor Selection Tips
Mobile Search Engines: The Next Step in Mobile Adult Entertainment
Protection for your PC - Painless and Free !
Personnel Security: What Is Your Security Posture?
Are You Safe Ordering Online?
Hourly security updates by MicroWorld Technologies Inc.
MicroWorld Antivirus (MWAV) Toolkit Utility.
Online Security while Traveling in the United States and Abroad
Wildfire
I've Been Infected!
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Viruses: The Code Red Worm
Butterfly Kisses
Making your web-site an effective Marketing tool!
Iozoo Web Directory

Spyware 101: Understanding and Fighting Spyware

2007-11-13T02:47:00.000-08:00

Spyware 101: Understanding and Fighting Spyware
Doug Partridge © 2005

In a short amount of time, Spyware has gone from relative obscurity to an almost daily mention. This article was prepared to help you understand the basics and tell you where you can get more information.

What is Spyware?

Quite simply Spyware is a type of rogue software program that gets copied to your computer without warning or permission. The goal of Spyware is to monitor and record information about you. In some cases, Spyware gets loaded on your PC just by visiting the wrong websites.

What is its purpose?

On the serious side, "Keyboard loggers" do just that - record the keys from your keyboard as you type. This is an extremely menacing form of Spyware. As you can imagine your accounts, passwords, emails anything you type is susceptible to keyboard loggers. In fact, this is the kind of Spyware that is largely responsible for online identity theft.

In the case of Adware it's to "profile" your online activities and interests. This information is used by advertisers to promote ads and pop-ups targeted to your specific interests.

Is Adware Spyware?

There is some debate on this, but the consensus is that if Adware records and submits information about you ... it falls under the category of Spyware.

How does it get on your computer?

In the case of the less harmful varieties they are usually bundled with some Shareware or "free" programs. The peer-to-peer (P2P) music downloading programs are notorious for including Adware with their programs.

A word of advice: be extremely cautions about the programs you install on your computer.

It's often said that Spyware can be installed on your PC "just by visiting the wrong website." This statement is absolutely true, but have you wondered how that's possible? After all, website operators do not usually have the ability to install programs on people's computer without their knowledge.

It's because hackers are able to exploit security vulnerabilities in web browsers (most commonly Internet Explorer).
Usually Microsoft releases fixes for security vulnerabilities shortly after they are discovered - yet the average Windows user 1.) doesn't know about the vulnerability and 2.) doesn't know about the fix.

What this means is that most people go for long periods of time with vulnerable versions of Internet Explorer.

Removing the Menace

Legislators are hurrying to create laws banning Spyware ... wonderful, but how does this help you now? The bottom line, you need a dedicated Spyware removal program. Anti-Virus programs have proven ineffective in discovering and removing Spyware. In fact, the Anti-Virus vendors are just beginning to look out how they can incorporate this functionality into their programs. Again, this is serious problem that requires action now.

The good news is that there are several high-quality Spyware removal that will not only detect and remove Spyware, but will also provide "always on" protection to block new infections.

We've only just scratched the surface - please visit http://www.SpywareHelpCenter.com - this is a free website where you can learn more about Spyware and find a removal program that's right for you.

About the Author

-------------------------------------------------
Doug Partridge is the founder of Spyware Help Center, a free site dedicated to Spyware education and removal.

Free Details => http://www.SpywareHelpCenter.com
-------------------------------------------------

Doug Partridge

Identity Theft: Count The Ways
How To Set Up A Blog
A Deadly Web Writing Search Engine Optimization Myth
Branding vs. Direct Response in Small Business Marketing and Advertising
Yes, Muffin, There Is a DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act)
Ezine Article Advertising & Marketing Blunders
Effective Web Search with Google's "My Search History" Tool
A new definition of "Buyer Beware"
"Winnie the Pooh": Online Educational Fun for Children
New mass mailing spamming internet Trojan for the Windows platform.
The Opera alternative
What Every Blogger Needs To Know About Their Target Audience
How To Profit From HOT Niche Markets - Every Time!
The secret to using Overture.com
Search with the power of Boolean operators
Small Business 'No' How - Don't Give Away the Farm
Balancing the Light and Dark
Iozoo Web Directory

Two companies merge to provide higher security against spyware threats.

2007-11-13T02:45:00.000-08:00

In an effort to offer computer users who utilize Internet Explorer an initial protection device against spyware, Jayde Online Inc. and Xblock Software announced a partnership they planned to take on in 2004. The two companies planned to merge the spyware tool X-Cleaner, provided by XBlock, into Jayde’s Internet Explorer search engine toolbar, ExactSeek.com. The ExactSeek toolbar already provided features including web search, pop-up blocking, highlighting and drag and search along with Alexa ranking information.

Executives at Jayde Online are seeking to provide internet users with multiple new features upon the release of each new free toolbar. By working with XBlock the company hopes to provide users with an initial line of defense against spyware threats. Because computer users are constantly being preyed upon by spyware those involved in the industry predict spyware could far surpass the threats computer viruses bring. Executives at XBlock believe the use of anti-spyware tools on the ExactSeek toolbar will not offer computer users a complete defense against spyware but it will protect computers from the most prevalent spyware, adware, keylogger and Trojan problems.

The XBlock company has provided several online security tools for consumers and corporations since its beginning. ExactSeek.com is part of the Jayde Corporation which is comprised of several online network sites. Jayde also focuses on publishing several email newsletters.

In an effort to offer computer users who utilize Internet Explorer an initial protection device against spyware, Jayde Online Inc. and Xblock Software announced a partnership they planned to take on in 2004. The two companies planned to merge the spyware tool X-Cleaner, provided by XBlock, into Jayde’s Internet Explorer search engine toolbar, ExactSeek.com. The ExactSeek toolbar already provided features including web search, pop-up blocking, highlighting and drag and search along with Alexa ranking information.

Executives at Jayde Online are seeking to provide internet users with multiple new features upon the release of each new free toolbar. By working with XBlock the company hopes to provide users with an initial line of defense against spyware threats. Because computer users are constantly being preyed upon by spyware those involved in the industry predict spyware could far surpass the threats computer viruses bring. Executives at XBlock believe the use of anti-spyware tools on the ExactSeek toolbar will not offer computer users a complete defense against spyware but it will protect computers from the most prevalent spyware, adware, keylogger and Trojan problems.

The XBlock company has provided several online security tools for consumers and corporations since its beginning. ExactSeek.com is part of the Jayde Corporation which is comprised of several online network sites. Jayde also focuses on publishing several email newsletters.

Article Source: http://www.redsofts.com/articles/

Mitch Johnson is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/ , a site that focuses exclusively on spyware removal software, as well as tips on how to prevent spyware from popping up on your computer. This site articles on has spyware guard, http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/spyware_guard.htm as well as spyware scanner, http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/spyware_scanner.htm

http://www.redsofts.com/articles/read/432/1317/Two_companies_merge_to_provide_higher_security_against_spyware_threats.html

Why Basic Knowledge On Spyware And Adware Is Critical

2007-11-13T02:42:00.000-08:00

There is little doubt that one of the reasons why the whole Spyware And Adware business has wrecked such havoc is the fact that folks do not have enough information on it. More so webmasters and even some web hosts.

Admittedly, the whole thought of having people in remote locations installing software into your computer without your knowledge and then using it to spy on you is straight out of some international espionage thriller work of fiction. The sad result is that many people do not believe that it can actually happen while many others are sure that it cannot happen to them. Little wonder that spyware tends to get much more attention from people who have been victims rather than folks who just to get to hear of it casually.

Victims vary. There are those whose computers slow down considerably until it is virtually impossible for them to get any work done. Then there are those unfortunate enough to actually get fleeced after scam artistes are easily able to get access to their accounts and armed with the password are able to transfer funds out of it. You see Spyware is able to easily monitor keystrokes to discover secret passwords to sensitive accounts.

All this illustrates one very important fact. And that is the fact that a basic understanding of what Spyware is and the havoc that it is capable of causing is critical to all webmasters and more so to web hosts or those running any type of web hosting business. Only then can you even begin to take measures that will ensure that you and your clients are fairly safe in the increasingly dangerous jungle that is known as the World Wide Web.

Established in 1998, U.S. website hosting company Website Source, Inc. provides a weekly website hosting news column for webmasters. Website Source offers many quality, cheap web hosting options for individuals, personal home pages, dating, blogs, family pages, ecommerce hosting, vps hosting and reseller or dedicated server plans for personal or small business websites. Each plan comes with free ready-made websites that make it easy to setup professional looking pages within minutes! In an era of out-sourcing, we are proud of our in-house, Texas based customer support personnel who stand guard ready to assist you at any time, twenty-four hours a day. Give us a try and you will see just how easy, convenient and affordable it is to get started with Website Source. The hosting order form is easy to complete and you can be online in minutes.

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http://www.websitesource.com/articles/spyware-adware.shtml

Spitzer Sues Spyware Maker

2007-11-13T02:40:00.000-08:00

New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer filed a lawsuit against a California-based software company Thursday, charging that some of the software it produced degrades the performance of computers and the Internet.

The suit specifically targets spyware and adware produced by the company, Intermix Media Inc., and asserts the company actively tricked customers into downloading software with false advertising.

"Spyware and adware are more than an annoyance," Spitzer said. "These fraudulent programs foul machines, undermine productivity and in many cases frustrate consumers' efforts to remove them from their computers."

The attorney General also mentioned possible affects on e-commerce, striking a chord with small business owners.

"Corporate America spends hundreds of millions of dollars on protecting their network's integrity," Kevin O'Connor, CEO of Tech Valley Communications, a privately help telecom company based in Albany, N.Y. said. "Many small businesses don't have a large security budget and malicious software could get in their networks and destroy their systems, and their business."

Since the first of the year more than 43 bills that pertain to spyware have been introduced in various state legislatures. Two bills, The Spy Act and the Spy Block Act, are currently on the floor of the House and Senate, respectively.

"You name the organization and they are going to be affected by this scourge," Larry Kobilinsky, a computer expert and forensic scientist at John Jay College, said. "It's not a victimless attack on our computers, because it comes at a tremendous cost, taking up valuable time and energy when you go online."

Intermix has been hit hard by the suit, with shares of the publicly traded company dropping around 17% by Friday after the suit was announced Thursday.

"Intermix does not promote or condone spyware," Christopher Lipp, senior VP and general counsel for the software company, said in a statement. "We expect to continue our discussions with the N.Y. Attorney General's Office and are still hopeful of reaching an appropriate and amicable agreement."

Intermix also mentioned that the business practices currently employed were "instituted under prior leadership."

As far as government involvement, O'Connor, a former Albany-area politician turned entrepreneur, is "cautiously optimistic" of the State's involvement in such matters.

"There defiantly needs to be something done about this, and I'm not an advocate of government intervention in business," he said. "But this problem is crying out for regulation."

http://www.inc.com/news/articles/200505/spyware.html

Computer system and the issues with spyware article

2007-11-13T02:39:00.002-08:00

There is a good chance that if you are actively online with your computer system that in some way spyware will get installed. All it takes is just clicking on the wrong site or by signing up for some web programs. Pretty much everyday there is a new form of spyware that has been created by someone or some company that is seeking information. Also with the easy availability of high speed internet services it has made the spread of spyware even faster and easier.

Spyware was originally designed to monitor and transmit back information to its “home” or creator without the user’s knowledge sometimes. This data would used to send back advertising ads usually popup to your computer. Over time spyware has changed and grown and now it has four biggest types of “malicious software” and threat to computers worldwide along with viruses, Trojans and worms.

So what are the major dangers with spyware running in the back ground on your computer system?To start spyware can cripple your computer and slow your computer to a crawl this is due to the way installs itself and configured to start whenever you boot up your computer system and runs all the time. The spyware steals both your computer resources and also your computer internet bandwidth. If network with multiple computers like a small business or home based business then the infected system with spyware can cause the over all network to slow down.

Another issue with spyware is the danger of invasion of privacy. Remember that these programs can collect all types of data from you computer system and then send back to its creator. Spyware usually collects information that can be used for advertising, marketing to see what websites you visit on a frequent bases. However there is a always that potential to user spyware to collect personal information such as financial, credit card and personal ID the purpose of identity thief or to gain access to those accounts along with email accounts and address books for spam purposes.

The latest way to infest you computer system have gotten even worse by using a bot net. This is where a computer or group of computers with a bot or “robot” software that works together to launch attacks on other computers to infect them with spyware. These bot nets currently focus more installing spyware programs on targeted victim computers.

Some of the most common forms of spyware are Bargain Buddy, Gain, b3b projector, Gator, n-Case, SaveNow, Search Toolbar, Webhancer and Search Assistant. These are just some the current spyware out today which can be difficult to uninstall toolbars to hijackers that take over you home page and pop-up windows generators.

Promoters of spyware or Adware say that they are doing nothing wrong because in some cases you agree to the terms of the service or EULA which states that you will provide this information to these companies.

Usually spyware will store files on your computer from a few cookies to .dll files and registry entries installed on your computer. Spyware is like another type of programs on your computer and when they run it used your computers systems memory and processor to keep it running which ties up valuable system resources on your computer.

Although some people may not mind generating data for these companies but even if it is the friendliest type of spyware these types of programs can lead to issue and can even compromise the computer security.

In my experience as an IT professional that on some systems that are so infected with spyware the only way to get the computer running normally was to completely reinstall the operating system because if a system is that impacted it takes hours and hours to remove the spyware and even then some of the worse types might still be on the computer.

Spyware along with other malicious software can cause serious issues and problems with how your computer operates and although there are some spyware removal program that you can run that will help protect and remove these types of programs. A couple of programs that I recommend are Ad-Aware from Lava Soft and Spyware Doctor 3.2 from PC tools. But even with these programs I always recommend the full backup of your computer system because there are still other malicious software program and hardware issue such as hard drive failures that can occur. By running regular backups on your computer system you ensure the protection of your data.

In conclusion spyware on your computer can be a lot of trouble for the person computer or if you operate a small business or home office. The best idea is to keep your computer system free of spyware and to run software protection just incase your computer is imfected.

Hopefully this article has been informative and helpful to you. If you’re looking for more Business computing information and solutions then be sure to check our website listed below.

http://www.business-computing-guide.com/computer-system.html

Spyware and Adware

2007-11-13T02:39:00.001-08:00

Summary : Spyware and Adware are small programs that covertly gather information from host computers and transmit the collected information to points unknown.

Adware differs slightly in that it will also run advertisements on your computer. The ads usually appear as pop-ups, banner ads, or even as plug-ins for your web browser. Some Adware programs will change your homepage, add bookmarks, and/or add invisible links to websites that you might be viewing (Browser Hijacking).

Adware and Spyware have a lot in common with viruses, in that they can be very hard to remove from your system. Usually these programs are capable of re-installing themselves once deleted.

These programs can infect your computer in many different ways. Clicking on a banner, closing a browser window, saying "No" or "Cancel" to prompts, and many other actions can install these programs without you even knowing.

While looking around for a good anti-Adware and anti-Spyware program for your computer you must be careful as some of these programs are actually Spyware in disguise. Remember to always keep your anti-Adware/Spyware updated.

Here are some tried and true free Adware removal programs:
Ad-aware Personal Version (http://lavasoftusa.com)
Spyware Doctor (http://www.pctools.com)

Don't forget that it is always a good idea to install and use a Firewall.
Zone Alarm (http://www.zonealarm.com)

http://resources.bravenet.com/articles/internet/spam_and_viruses/spyware_and_adware/

Remove Spyware - Keep Your Computer Protected

2007-11-13T02:36:00.000-08:00

If you are looking out for a perfect tool to remove spyware, you will be happy to know that there are many. However, you have to be very careful in differentiating the genuine ones from the fake ones. The fake ones will not delete spyware. Instead, they will clear the path for the spyware programs to attack your computer. Therefore, if you want to play safe, you will have to look into all the details before you choose to download a specific spyware protection software program.

Always Trust The Trusted

When it comes to installing a software program to remove spyware, the best way to ensure that you are installing the genuine software programs is to trust only those companies that are established and have been trusted by the Internet users. These companies may include Microsoft, Google, McAfee – just to name a few. While you search through various search engines, you may find entries of some unscrupulous companies in the search results. No matter, how much they boast about their services, it is always prudent to check their authenticity. You can do this by reading reviews regarding their products in various forums and blogs. In particular, if the tool to remove spyware is being offered free, you will have to be extra careful. Always remember that most the spyware programs make their entry through the freebies. However, you should also note that not all of the free spyware protection software are fake ones. You will be happy to know that even Google and Microsoft offers free programs to remove spyware. They are free but are highly effective in keeping a check on the malicious spyware programs.

Prevention

However, I must add that the best way to remove spyware is not to let them get in your computer in the very first place. You can do this by avoiding visiting the unscrupulous websites. In particular, it is very important for you to keep your computer away from the freebies. Before you download any free stuff, make sure that you are downloading the same from a trusted website. In order to keep your Internet surfing experience safer, you should also turn your firewalls on. They will keep informing you whenever an unauthenticated software program will try to trespass into your registry files. However, despite all the precautions, if the spyware has attacked your computer, do not delay to remove spyware by using the anti-spyware programs.

Article Source: UnArchived Articles

http://articles.webraydian.com/article2690-Remove_Spyware__Keep_Your_Computer_Protected.html

Spy ware. Gone...all Gone.

2007-11-12T02:59:00.000-08:00

Spy ware. Just those words conjure up visions of stealth tracking devices and a breach of privacy. Programs that install spy ware on your computer come in different forms, from freeware to applications that run undetected through exploits Microsoft ActiveX.

Spy ware can cause unwanted pop-ups, advertising feeds and computer difficulties that can be nearly impossible to get rid of on your own. In addition, spy ware is often specifically designed to monitor your activity and thereby harvest your personal information. Using a trusted spy ware removal program such as SpyWare Doctor is the only quick and easy way to solve problems before they arise.

Let's face it, spy ware will become as common as viruses for the Internet surfer. Should you choose not to use an automated spy ware removal tool, we certainly hope you employ some of these tips to help prevent the problems these irritating programs can cause.
Spy Ware Prevention Tips

A firewall is one way to protect yourself against spy ware, adware and other insidious bugs that serve to scour your computer and deliver unwanted advertising to your screen. With a firewall system, not only can spy ware be prohibited from accessing the internet to deliver your information, but hackers will not be able to infiltrate your PC and cause other undue harm or access private information.

Another important program to run on your computer is antivirus software. Most quality antivirus programs are able to detect and render the most malicious of spy ware and Trojan programs useless. Keeping your antivirus software up to date, though, is of utmost importance, as new scripts are born every day.

Avoiding dangerous sites, such as warez sites, is another way to make sure you don't end up with an unwanted spy ware program. These sites often offer music, movies, and other programs for download. While it seems great at first because of all the freebies (albeit illegal) nearly all of them have spy ware, ad ware, and other trojan programs embedded in the application download. Steering clear of these conduits for spy ware will not only help protect your system from these dangerous programs, but also remove any risk of infringement.

Finally, if you visit a page and receive a pop-up instruction box asking you to click "yes" to install a program, never be tempted to click the "yes" box unless you specifically intend to download that software. Many pages will automatically try to install software imbedded with spy ware in the hopes that unknowing users will blindly click "yes." For added protection, do not download a program until you have completely read the end user license and to see what really comes with the program. However, keep in mind that most won't warn you that they are installing spy ware.

For the ultimate in spy ware protection, you should complement the adherence to the above tips with software specifically designed to fight, remove and prevent spy ware. All of these tips should help keep your system clean, but in order to be 100% certain you're free of all harmful and irritating spy ware, it's important to use a trusted program like SpyWare Doctor to detect and remove all of the potential problems. Then you can surf in peace knowing that your PC is as spotless as can be.

http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/insight/view/spyware/

Covert operations - Buzz - anti-spyware programs - Brief Article

2007-11-12T02:58:00.000-08:00

Ever get the feeling you're being watched? You may be right. Covert programs that are downloaded from the Internet onto unsuspecting computers have been proliferating lately.

Known as "spyware," these sneaky bits of software may be monitoring computer activity or serving up advertising (also known as adware) without you realizing it. They may be inadvertently downloaded by employees as part of another software program or hidden deep within a licensing agreement. At its worst, a spyware program may just plant itself when a suffer wanders onto the wrong Web site. Some varieties can even be triggered through HTML spam e-mails.

Fortunately, there are ways for you to keep your computers clear of spyware and your valuable business data safe. A good firewall setup can help prevent unauthorized programs from using your business network to send information back to a parent organization.

Free spyware detection products are also available from sites like Download.com. But to really protect your information, a more complete solution is anti-spyware software from companies like Lavasoft (www.lavasoft.de) and PestPatrol (www.pestpatrol.com). They can locate both spyware and adware and clean it off computers.

With these undercover programs becoming trickier all the time, you have to make an anti-spyware effort part of your overall security plan and review it periodically to deal with inevitable new twists.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DTI/is_8_31/ai_105710840

Remove Spyware or Risk Espionage

2007-11-12T02:57:00.000-08:00

Keeping your computer safe and secure can be a time consuming and financially draining process. With all this talk about spyware, ongoing maintenance, security patches, viruses, bugs, trojans and more, it can be quite daunting to try and maintain PC health.

Fortunately, there is software available to automate all of these tasks. From programs that remove spyware to programs that banish viruses, you'll certainly find tools that will keep your PC clean. For the purpose of this article, we're going to concentrate on how to remove spyware, adware and other pesky issues. Virus protection is best handled by software specifically designed for this purpose but do make sure that you always update your virus definitions, check your firewall and remove known bugs.

To remove spyware and adware, virus protection alone won't help. Instead, to keep your PC healthy and your personal information private you will want to add the protection of trusted software such as SpyWare Doctor.

More specifically, spyware, adware, Trojans and other bugs can be contracted through the downloading of freeware or other software, or even just by visiting an offending page. Knowing whether you have any of these irritants on your computer, however, can sometimes be difficult to tell.

However, once installed, the intent and function of spyware is to track your surfing habits, monitor your shopping behaviors and deliver targeted advertisements to you without your consent or desire. If you don't remove spyware, it can control your browser settings and deliver unwanted pop-ups at the most irritating moments.

If you choose not to remove spyware that could be hiding on your system, you could also unknowingly be sending all of this personal information to unscrupulous hackers and businesses ready to exploit the hijacked information. Unfortunately, some of these scripts are so advanced that when you try to remove spyware on your own, without the help of removal software like SpyWare Doctor, it can actually cause application conflicts, reinstall itself automatically, or create other system issues.

Whether you attempt it on your own or enlist the help of a program designed to remove spyware, you don't have to just put up with the problems.

http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/insight/view/remove-spyware/

Is anti spyware software really necessary?

2007-11-12T02:56:00.000-08:00

Great question and we're happy to say that SpyWare Doctor does both! It's an anti spyware program that removes as well as prevents spyware, adware and other dangerous trojans from piercing your system. Allow us to explain further.

Remember the good ol' days when you could get almost anything on the Internet for free? Not so long ago, music, software and other goodies seemed to flow from system to system with wanton abandonment. If you had a computer and an Internet connection then you could load up with freebies galore.

Anti spyware as a phrase wasn't even used until computer viruses began hitting the scene harder and harder. The surge freebies created also opened the door for unscrupulous advertisers to try and make a quick buck off of unsuspecting users. Still, because their implanted programs were hidden and relatively harmless, many computer users never saw the need for anti spyware protection. Until now!

You are right when you say that a lot of "free" software available on the Internet today is embedded with spyware programs, but why is this a problem? Why would you need an anti spyware program in the first place?

First and foremost, anti spyware should be used if you value your privacy! Spyware is specifically designed to track your surfing habits and deliver unwanted advertising to your virtual doorstep based on your travels. Aside from the annoyance factor, the invasion of privacy alone justifies the use of a trusted anti spyware tool such as SpyWare Doctor. With it armed and at the ready, you can completely eliminate these nasty little tracking devices from your computer system and prevent them from ever latching on in the future.
Features of the registered version

* Detect and remove spyware, adware, malware, trojans, keyloggers, spybots, adbots and trackware
* OnGuard runs in the background to monitor and protect your PC from browser infections and tracking cookies
* Immunize your system against more than a thousand known web-browser hijackers (BHO) and ActiveX threats
* Real-time protection including defense against known phishing attacks, popup blocking and malicious site guard
* Intelligent and deep scanning options allow you to thoroughly check your PC for Malware infections
* Receive frequent Smart Updates to detect and guard against new threats

Anti spyware software actually came about because of the need to fight off greedy advertisers. Back in the days of endless Internet freebies, software and business owners realized that untapped marketing and advertising opportunities could be exploited through the distribution of freeware programs.

By installing a spyware program that runs piggyback on the desired software, they found that they could monitor surfing habits, send personal browsing information to third parties and track online shopping routines. Best of all, from their standpoint, is the fact that they can do all of this without your knowledge or approval.

In order to combat this invasion, anti spyware software such as SpyWare Doctor was created to eliminate and prevent this annoying and more frequent occurrence. This not only enhances your online experience, but ensures that your PC will be safe from all of these harmful entities as well. So surf away, and know that your information will be as private as you want it to be.

http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/insight/view/anti-spyware/

How ad ware delivers advertising you never meant to see!

2007-11-12T02:55:00.001-08:00

If you've never heard of ad ware or aren't sure what the uproar is all about, then this article is a must-read. In this day and age, targeting consumers on the Internet has become international warfare. In a perfect world, traditional advertising methods would reign, but in the faceless computing age, some companies will go all out to make sure that prospective buyers see their ads first. As a result, ad ware has evolved to become an insidious and often potentially harmful method of sneaking ads into to your computer.

So what is ad ware? Simply stated, ad ware is a small piece of software that works through a program installed for unrelated use. Most often found in freeware, ad ware will automatically install an additional component that supplies a stream of advertisements to your computer without your consent.

Ad ware can also work by pointing your browser homepage to a site that feeds even more advertising. Worst of all, ad ware operates without your permission and often without your knowledge. By embedding itself in some obscure file directory, most computer users never even know that ad ware is rampant on their system.

Not only is ad ware incredibly annoying, especially if you can't find the reason why it is happening, but it often causes system anomalies and program incompatibilities that can do damage to your computer and legitimate applications. In addition, if the ad ware you inadvertently installed hijacks your start page or toolbar, then reconfiguring your system settings can often be difficult.

Further complicating matters is the fact that the typical computer user can't locate the source of the problem and even if they think they've deleted the ad ware application, it often returns on the next restart! Without an ad ware removal tool such as SpyWare Doctor, the changes it can make to a system characteristically surpasses the average user's technical capabilities.

Removing ad ware can prove to be even more difficult than putting up with its existence on your computer. Oftentimes, the glitches it causes in a system will prevent a user from being able to access the control areas to configure settings. In addition, once it is successfully removed, the program responsible for the ad ware will be incapable of running without the ad ware component. Thus, you're forced to abandon a program you like or left to deal with the onslaught of advertising this menace can cause.

Ad ware and spy ware are both programs that people won't search out with interest, but that's not to say they aren't out there. While ad ware typically associates itself with freeware, avoiding free downloads off the Internet isn't too practical for the typical computer user. This is where SpyWare Doctor comes in.
Features of the registered version

* Detect and remove spyware, adware, malware, trojans, keyloggers, spybots, adbots and trackware
* OnGuard runs in the background to monitor and protect your PC from browser infections and tracking cookies
* Immunize your system against more than a thousand known web-browser hijackers (BHO) and ActiveX threats
* Real-time protection including defense against known phishing attacks, popup blocking and malicious site guard
* Intelligent and deep scanning options allow you to thoroughly check your PC for Malware infections
* Receive frequent Smart Updates to detect and guard against new threats

http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/insight/view/ad-ware/

Article on Spyware and Other Pests

2007-11-12T02:52:00.000-08:00

Most computer users know that the internet has its “dark side”. Our online world brings issues of credit card and identity theft and junk mail. But how many computer users are unwitting accomplices to such activities?

It is possible that your computer, or a friend's computer is being used to send spam, harvest e-mail addresses for spam, make purchases using stolen credit cards or take part in a denial of service (DoS) attack, where an army of computers shuts down a Web site by flooding its servers with HTTP requests.

Recently, a pilot program scanned more than a million computers, finding over 29 millions instances of spyware, an average of nearly 28 spyware items per computer.

How does this happen without your knowledge? Examples like those above are usually the work of a “trojan”, a small program that can be unknowingly installed on a computer and then accessed by another computer over the Internet. Together with programs called “spyware”, “adware” and viruses, trojans are a part of a group collectively known as “malware” or “pestware.” While the majority of such programs are annoying and nothing more, they have the potential to be quite nasty.

Spyware: Who's Watching Your Online Moves?

Spyware programs range from annoying to the dangerous, including keyboard loggers and screen capture applications that can steal passwords and other sensitive information. These programs are sometimes bundled in with shareware or freeware programs that can be downloaded from the Internet. Often times they claim to be helpful utilities that also carry a more sinister side.

Many of the programs are marketed as legitimate tools for keeping tabs on children online. One program called “Activity Logger”, for example, connects to the Internet, records the URLs of sites visited and the keystrokes from e-mail and chat applications. It will also capture screenshots that can be made into a slide show.

Adware: Caught in a Marketing Nightmare

Adware is software that displays advertisements to computer users. Some of the most strict definitions of adware include applications that are sponsored for their free use. One of the most popular examples is WeatherBug, which offers a free version of weather software and comes wrapped in a skin that displays advertising. While older versions of WeatherBug had rather significant privacy issues, newer versions are pretty straight forward: you see the ad, but you get the weather. Is this adware? In the most strict sense, many people say it is. But to some computer users, the tradeoff seems fair. Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and AOL's Instant Messenger are among other software programs and services that display ads to their users in exchange for free usage. Many of these programs off advertising-free versions for a price.

More annoying among adware watchers is Gator, which now goes by the name Claria Corp. Gator was controversial from the start. It began in 1998 offering e-wallet software. But it reports your Web surfing habits back to its parent company, which then sends you advertisements targeted according to your data. The vast majority of people consider it a pest, especially because the software is often bundled with other, more useful software. As annoying as it is, Gator is not very malicious.

As for adware that reports personally identifiable information, user tolerance varies. Some people don't want any information revealed, such as tracking the sites you visit. Others draw the line at logging IP addresses.

Trojans: RATS That Can Control Your Computer

Like the horse of the story, a trojan carries with it an unexpected surprise. Trojans do not replicate like a virus, but they do leave behind a program that can be contacted by another computer. From there, they can do just about anything. While it's possible a trojan can be used to take control of a computer, the most common trojans are “dialer” programs. Dialers are used without your knowledge to make international or premium calls (900-type numbers) from your PC. That's more than an annoyance; it can get expensive.

Trojans are also known as RATS (remote access trojans) and they are most often hidden in games and other small software programs that unsuspecting users download then unknowingly execute on their PCs.

A trojan specially annoying is “CoolWebSearch”. Once it installs in your computer (exploiting security flaws in unpatched Windows systems), it “hijacks” Internet Explorer, changing its settings. For example, it changes the start page, adds new bookmarks, redirects the browser to another site when a page is not found, etc. This kind of browser hijacks are quite annoying, and unfortunately are becoming common.

Two other common trojans are known as “Back Orifice” and "SubSeven". Back Orifice was originally developed as a remote administration tool. But it worked by exploiting holes in Microsoft software, which makes it a popular tool for nefarious applications. Both Back Orifice and SubSeven can be used to capture what is on a computer's screen and what is typed in using the keyboard; they can be use to remotely control devices, such as opening and closing the CD drive; or to set up FTP, HTTP or Telnet servers on an unsuspecting user's machine. Basically, anything that can be done with a computer can be done remotely using a trojan.

Viruses: Contagious Pests

For all the publicity viruses have gotten, they remain a serious threat. While viruses can potentially destroy a computer's data, most of the widespread viruses have leaned more toward annoyance. The most famous are e-mail viruses that replicate and spread using e-mail addresses stored on a computer. They still cost computer users and their employers hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

The MS Blaster worm that caused havoc in the summer of 2003 exploited a vulnerability in the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) function of the Windows operating system. Anyone who did not install a patch issued by Microsoft was vulnerable, marking a new era in virus prevention for many Internet users. No longer was using care with e-mail attachments enough to keep you safe.

In our next article how to know if you are infected by spyware, we will talk about the symptoms caused by these programs, so you can be alert to find these pests.

http://www.directoryone.com/articles/spyware-and-other-pests.html

Microsoft Hits Spyware on the Head!

2007-11-08T02:06:00.000-08:00

Finally! It seems that the build up of spyware on peoples computers have finally caused the sleeping giant, Microsoft, to wake up! Spyware has become a larger problem then viruses, as small programs, hijackers, and hidden browser toolbars compete to pop up revenue earning ads on your computer. There have been a ton of free spyware blockers available for download on the net, but none of them could get the job done. Now, Microsoft has finally stepped in and is ready to do something.

Microsoft Battles Spyware
When I first heard that Microsoft had a beta version for a spyware blocker/remover software, I was slightly skeptical. Why now? What the hell took so long? I have seen users use anti-spyware programs that do more harm than good. The best free spyware on the net was currently AdAware, but that may soon change.

As an avid computer user, I consider spyware a larger problem then viruses. I have seen such a build-up of spyware on a single system that Internet Explorer would refuse to browse the web and only browse advertisement pages. IE gets so effected with spyware that it is prone to crashes, freezing, and random closing.

Well, I have finally got my hands on the Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta and put it to use on a very 'infected' computer. The results were nothing short of excellent. After getting approved by Microsoft as containing a real [not stolen] license of Windows XP, I was allowed to download their new anti-spyware software. After installing the software, the anti-spyware immediately stopped random desktop pop-ups [when IE opens on its own to show an advertisement page]. Alerts were popping up continuously stating that a 'internet explorer hijacking has been stopped.' Even before running a full system scan, the Microsoft Anti-Spyware program can already find hidden toolbars installed into Internet Explorer as spyware.

Running the scan is simple. Just boot up the anti-spyware software and let the scan go to work [can take up to twenty minutes or more]. For the computer that I tried the Microsoft Anti-Spyware on, the program found just under 70 instances of Spyware currently running on the computer. I told the software to delete ALL of the spyware programs.

But it doesn't end there! After the scan is completed and you are presented with all the spyware you can delete, the program allows you to automatically create a restore point. I nice Microsoft feature that allows you to easily repair your operating system if any errors occur from deleting installed spyware. My favorite part, however, came right after the deletion was complete. At this point, the anti-spyware program dives into the default settings for Microsoft Internet Explorer. These settings are usually changed by spyware, without any way for a standard user to change the settings back. Microsoft's Anti-Spyware Beta will convert EI back to all of its original defaults; another nice perk to using Microsoft.

So, how did the Microsoft Anti-Spyware program do? Well, lets just say that it does not need the 'beta' title anymore. There are no more popups, no more browser redirects, and the overall processing speed of the computer has greatly increased. It is fun to use the internet again!

But What About McAfee or Norton Anti-Spyware?
Three simple words- 'not as good.' I never use either McAfee or Norton as they too 'infect' a lot of your office and internet related programs. I have encountered multiple instances of Microsoft Office unable to open as it was not getting a 'go ahead' response from Norton. Another good reason why the Microsoft Anti-Spyware software is better is that the computer infected did have both McAfee and Norton installed already; guess they were not performing too well.

If you have spyware on your computer, or think you do, do yourself a favor and head over to Microsoft and wipe out all those annoying issues that come with spyware.

Thank You Microsoft!

About the Author

Ryan Parsons calls Orange County, California home. Ryan currently owns and writes for the movie entertainment magazine CanMag.Com. Article can be used with permission and backlink.

How Spyware Blaster Can Protect Your Computer From Harm

2007-11-08T02:05:00.000-08:00

By browsing a web page, you could infect your computer with
spy ware, ad ware, dialers and hijackers. These, unwelcome
guests, are some of the fastest growing threats on the
Internet today. It is important to protect your computer
and one of the most powerful software products, available
for this, is Spy ware Blaster, a program created by Java
cool.

How are you affected?

A spyware program will record every keystroke and e-mail as
well as every web page you visit and every chat session.
Some spyware programs will try to take control of your
homepage, search page and other browser settings. Some may
silently download themselves onto your computer. Others may
pose as legitimate programs and persuade you to download
them.

Private and confidential information extracted from a
user's computer may be put on the Internet before he can
realize that he is a victim of these malicious programs.

A Microsoft program called ActiveX is used to download
software from websites for supporting legitimate services
like file viewers or games. ActiveX can also be used to
download spyware, hijackers, dialers and ad ware. Spyware
Blaster can make it difficult for these ActiveX programs to
run on your computer. It can also protect your computer
from certain cookies while running Mozilla based browsers
like Fire fox.

The major anti-virus software product manufacturers have
ignored the risks of spyware, hijackers, dialers and ad
ware till now. Due to this, users have little knowledge of
the software products that can be effective in detecting
and eliminating them. One of the most powerful products
available to provide security from spy ware is Spyware
Blaster.

Spyware Blaster

Spyware Blaster is a freeware that offers effective
protection from malicious Internet downloads. It disables
malicious ActiveX controls that are already present and
prevents downloads of malicious ActiveX controls from a web
page. Its current database contains 822 items against which
it provides protection. About 100 of these are tracking
cookies, used by advertisers.

Spy ware Blaster's Flash Killer capability enables it to
block the installation of distracting macromedia flash
content. It gives the user the option to block specific
search engine toolbars and browser plug-ins.
===========================================================
Click to find a daily updated blog of articles and news
about spyware ! Get advice and information about how to
protect your computer from attack, and disinfect it.. Click
http://www.spyware-101.com/

About the Author

Philippa Smith runs a home business in los angeles. The
constant attacks on here computer caused her to learn all
about spyware & viruses, and how to deal with them.

5 Steps to Remove Spyware for Free

2007-11-08T02:04:00.000-08:00

Have you ever tried to remove Spyware off your PC only to find out it never left or it came back? Tired of all those annoying Popups, Viruses, and Ads on your system day in and day out? Well, listen closely because the day has come to remove Spyware programs and Viruses - forever!

I will give you some very useful tricks and tips to remove Spyware and Viruses for good! Follow closely:

Steps to Remove Spyware, Viruses, and Adware

1. There are many types of software available today that claim to remove spyware off our system, but which one REALLY does the job? What you need is software that not only will remove spyware, but TOTALLY removes it for good and keeps it off. After searching for the best of the best, here is THE BEST: Panda Online Scan. Why? It does not constantly run on your system, slowing it down and using bunches of memory! In other words, it runs from Panda on the web, then searches your whole system, will remove spyware and other bugs, then gives detailed info on the bug and tells you how to keep it off your system! Here is the address to get started:

http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/scan.html

It only installs a few plug-ins to run on your system, and no full installation!

2. Check your system services and systray items! The biggest mistake people make is never checking what programs are running in the background or memory of the system. A key step to remove spyware from your system is knowing this. Without knowing these things, you probably have bugs running on your system, and never know it! Why? They like to hide! Download and install a program called HIJACK THIS. It tells you exactly what is running and what is not running so you know exactly what might be hiding behind closed doors! Here is the address for this:

http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/hijackthis.html

3. Shutdown the SYSTEM RESTORE! (Windows XP)

Spyware and Viruses attach themselves to your system's restore files. This is an easy way for them to hide, even after you reinstall Windows! Right click on 'MY COMPUTER', then click on 'Properties'. Look for a tab on top called 'System Restore', and click there. Check the box that says 'Turn off system restore on all drives'. Click 'APPLY', then 'OK'. That's it!

4. Use an Anonymous IP address when surfing the web!

This is a huge step in keeping bugs off your system forever! Bugs get onto your system and retrieve info about you by capturing your IP address. Your IP address tells everyone who you are, where you're located, your system info, what kind of Windows you use, your browser, etc. An anonymous IP hides your IP by using an Anonymous address and makes you invisible to everyone, including Spyware and Ads! Here is an address to a good proxy list:

http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/proxylist.html

Please follow these instructions carefully for Microsoft Internet Explorer:

a) Scroll down on the page from the above link. On the list, look at the numbers listed under IP:Port Host name. Make sure the uptime on the right is at least 97 to 99 %.

b) Go to the Control Panel in Windows.

c) Open up ' Internet Options'.

d) Click on the 'Connections' tab on top.

e) Click on 'LAN Settings'.

f) Put a check-mark where it says PROXY SERVER.

g) In the Address box, copy and paste the IP address listed on the proxy list (for example: 148.244.150.58 - These are the numbers shown BEFORE the ':' (semi-colon).

h) Copy and paste the port number into the PORT box (for example: '80' - the number immediately after the semi-colon).

i) Click OK, and OK again to close, and close everything.

j) Go ahead and open up your browser and try surfing the internet to test.

Thats it! You are now surfing invisibly!

For the Firefox browser:

a) Open up the browser and go to 'TOOLS' then 'OPTIONS'.

b) Go to 'GENERAL' on the left, then click the 'Connection Settings' button below.

c) Choose 'Manual' proxy config from the choices.

d) Check the 'use the same proxy' checkbox.

e) In the 'HTTP Proxy' box, copy and paste the anonymous IP, and the PORT number in the PORT box (remove the zero first).

f) Click OK, then OK again to close.

g) Now test your browser by surfing the web.

You are now invisible.

**note - if your browsing gets super slow or has a problem, look for another IP and Port number on the list and try again. Most of the time the proxies from Mexico work best. Happy surfing! The free proxy list can be found here:

http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/proxylist.html

5. Download and install the new FIREFOX browser!

Please get rid of Microsoft Internet Explorer on your system! It is like a pipe that feeds Spyware, Ads and Viruses onto your system. There are just too many holes there letting everything in. Mozilla is a fairly new company that introduced a new breed of browser that blocks popups, and tries hard to keep these bugs off your system. It has very few or even NO holes or pipes to let the bugs in! Many people use it for this very reason, and it has a great look, better speed, and lets you change the theme of it! Awesome! Here is the address:

http://www.stopspywareforfree.com/firefox.html

Well that about sums up how to remove spyware in 5 steps. Follow them CLOSELY and you will see how great it is to surf virus free Forever! Guaranteed!

About the Author

For more tips, tricks, and secrets on protecting your PC and making it run faster and without problems, sign up on our mailing list at: http://www.stopspywareforfree.com

Is your Computer Infected with Spyware

2007-11-08T02:03:00.000-08:00

Is your computer running slower than it should be? Do you find that de-fragmentation and extra memory doesn't help? Do you think it could be a virus? What do you do in situations like these? I suppose you'd run your antivirus software. But what happens when the problem still remains even after you've run your antivirus software? In situations like these, many people would turn to technical support. Does this situation sound familiar?

Every day, there are thousands of Internet users who suffer from the same problem. This problem is caused by nasty infectious software called spyware. Over 10% of calls made to technical support relate to spyware problems. According to Microsoft, 50% of all windows based problems are caused by trojans, viruses and spyware. http://www.spywarelive.com has relevant information on combating spyware and its sources.

Adware, Malware, Trojans and Keyloggers all fall under the umbrella name of spyware. Many times these programs are automatically installed on your computer without intervention. Depending on which program is infecting your computer, many unwanted actions take place. Some of the things which could occur as a result of having spyware on your computer are:
Settings may change
Your computer can be monitored remotely
Your computer can be controlled remotely
Your actions can be recorded
Advertisements can be displayed on your desktop

The most prominent spyware programs are:

Adware: This type of program download all sorts of advertisements to your computer and displays them whilst you surf the Internet.
Key Loggers: This program records all your movements and actions on your PC and reports directly to the hacker.
Dialers: A dialer is a program which he uses your phone line to dial premium rate numbers.
Browser Hijacker: These programs change your browser settings so your start page and search preferences are redirected elsewhere.

What is the difference between spyware and a virus?

A virus is a file or program which can cause actual harm or damage to your computer. It can even cause problems with your computer hardware. Spyware will not damage your computer but it is a pain and nuisance to have running in your processes. Spyware is intended to watch over or control you and your system. Since spyware and viruses are two different programs, antivirus software will not remove a spyware program. Thankfully, companies which make antivirus programs are now integrating anti-spyware components within their software.

How do you get spyware on your computer in the first place?

There are several ways this may happen.
You may have elected to allow browser plug-ins to be installed automatically. Sometimes these contain spyware.
Some web sites install spyware whilst you your on their web page. Over 80% of these types of websites are porn related.
If you download or install games or pictures from unscrupulous websites, you're most likely to be infected with spyware.
The worst type of spyware is one which tells you that it will eliminate infections from your computer but if you click on the ad, it will install spyware instead.

What can you do about it?
Use the Firefox browser. This will minimize the chances of being infected.
Be wary of sites you visit and download items from.
Keep your windows up to date.
Install anti-spyware software.
Make sure your firewall updates itself.

Look out for tell-tale signs of spyware infection, such as slow responses, ads popping up, extra icons in your system tray and unrecognised items in your task manager.
If you notice anything unusual do a full scan with recommended software. Make sure your protection isn't flawed.

About the author:
More information, recommendation and guides can be found at http://www.spywarelive.com

Identifying Spyware

2007-11-08T02:02:00.001-08:00

How do you go about identifying spyware to ensure your computer stays clean? It can be difficult to determine what spyware is because many legitimate business websites may have what could be considered spyware on their websites that are tracking devices or a gimmick to get computer users to return to the site. Turning off your computer would be the only surefire way to protect yourself from encountering any spyware, but since that is not an option for many who use computers on a daily basis for work and even for keeping in contact with those in their personal life, being knowledge about spyware and being able to identify spyware is the next best step.

There are many symptoms of your computer having spyware that you may not notice if you aren’t an experienced or regular computer user. If you are not working on your computer or downloading any new programs but it sounds like the machine is really working hard, usually with a loud whirling noise, this may mean that spyware is working on your computer. Have you noticed strange icons on the Start menu or on your desktop? More often than not these can be related to a spyware virus that has managed to install itself onto your computer. Spyware viruses can also access your computer through your email account and can even access your address book and send out information to others using your account information. Check your junk mailbox to see if you have strangely returned emails or your sent box for evidence of email being sent without your knowledge. These are good places to begin recognizing and identifying spyware.

Some spyware viruses do not even bother to hide themselves and can easily be found by going into the Control Panel and then Add/Remove Programs and looking for names or programs you do not recognize. Unfortunately it is not always possible to remove the spyware simply by pressing remove, because often the spyware virus has found other ways to infiltrate your system. But this can give you an idea of what is on your computer, so when you use your spyware protection you can recognize if that spyware has been removed.

Other places to look for spyware is in pop-up ads while you are on the internet. Many people often get the impression that these pop-ups are just a harmless nuisance but many times these ads can be spyware disguised as pop-up advertisements. There are ads related to the site you landed on, for instance if you go to your bank account website, they may throw up a pop-up advertisement for a good deal on a mortgage. This ad is usually related to the actual website and is only an advertising gimmick. It may be a nuisance but these pop-ups will not necessarily mean your computer is infected with a spyware virus. On the other hand, if you go to your bank account and an advertisement for adult entertainment pops up, you should be suspicious that this advertisement is not related to your bank account and may mean you have spyware on your computer.

Once you have identified that there is potential spyware on your computer, the best measure is to get a personal firewall, anti-virus protection, anti-spam and even spyware protection. Even if you get just anti-virus protection this does not ensure that you are safe from spyware and vice versa. It is important to install all of these protections on your computer to ensure that spyware does not get by and create major complications on your computer. Spyware can severely slow down the processing of your computer and can even prevent you from using certain programs if you let it get out of hand. If you begin noticing your computer slowing down and lots of strange functions occurring without you requesting them, this may mean that you have spyware problems and need to check for spyware and have your system cleaned soon and then on a regular basis.

If you ever go online to check account information, remember to always check any accounts you use online regularly to ensure that they have not been tampered with. Check regularly to make sure there are no changes, account withdrawals of otherwise that you did not verify. Just because you cannot see the spyware on your computer, does not mean it is not there, so always take extra measures to protect your important account information.

It is also helpful to be aware of the names of spyware to help you identify them. There are many helpful websites and downloadable software protection programs that provide important information about the names of spyware and viruses that could be infesting your computer. Take time to go to these sites and be aware of the names of spyware, that way if a suspicious program or file turns up on your computer, you will know to immediately take care of the problem.
Shawn Shellenbarger
Maximum Software
http://www.spywaresnooper.com

http://www.spywarearticles.com/articles/Identifying-Spyware.php

Four Easy Ways To Prevent Spyware

2007-11-08T02:00:00.000-08:00

How would you like to prevent spyware and adware from getting into your computer? You need to stop adware and spyware before it gets into your files. That way you're protecting your private information such as passwords, credit card numbers and other documents that you don't want to share with anyone.

Spyware and adware removers are important because they clean your computer of malicious files. But the best thing you can do is prevent spyware from ever being installed in the first place. Here are four ways to help prevent spyware and adware from getting into your computer.

Keep Your Windows Software Updated

One of the best ways to prevent spyware and adware from getting into your computer is to keep your Windows operating system software updated. Microsoft Windows update addresses security fixes that are constantly updating so your computer won't be vulnerable. Windows update is a free download from Microsoft at: http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us

Use Computer Firewall Protection

One of the most effective ways to stop spyware and adware is the use of computer firewall protection. Computer firewalls put up barriers to keep any malicious programs from being downloaded without your knowledge when you are on the Internet.

Computer firewall protection monitors everything going in and out of your computer. This acts as a protective shield allowing good data through while blocking the bad data from entering your computer.

Most people don't realize that if you use Windows XP it comes with a firewall that you can turn on or off. Microsoft's site explains the step by step process to enable or disable Windows XP Firewall with a tutorial at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;283673

Be Careful What You Download

Another good way to prevent spyware and adware from getting in your computer is being careful what you download from the Internet. There are a few types of software that are particularly notorious for including spyware and adware.

File-sharing programs used to trade music, free games, screen savers, and even smiley face packages have been a problem because many of them contain adware.

Be aware of any product that claims to be free because it is likely to contain spyware and adware. Many free programs usually generate revenue from pop up ads or can even hijack your browser to take you to web sites you did not request.

Here's another tip to prevent spyware from being downloaded without your knowledge. When you close a window on the Internet never click on a box that says "agree" or "OK." Instead, click on the "x" located in the upper right corner of the window. Some programs trick you into agreeing to download software that you have never seen when you click on these.

Install Spyware Protection Software

Spyware protection software is the easiest way to automatically remove and prevent spyware from infecting your computer. You may wonder why you would need to purchase spyware protection software if there are free spyware cleaners.

Free spyware cleaners are good programs to get rid of spyware viruses you already have on your computer now. But many spyware programs automatically reinstall themselves even after they are removed. For this reason free spyware cleaners are not a permanent solution to solve spyware and adware problems.

Spyware protection software is designed to find all hidden programs and disable them before they have a chance to work. It's important that you get this software installed immediately on your computer.

Once you remove spyware and adware programs from your computer you'll find it will run faster and your personal information will be much safer. These tips should give you some insight on how to stop spyware and adware in its tracks. Your security and peace of mind is worth spending a little time to prevent spyware and adware from getting into your computer and taking over.

About the Author

This article is provided by http://www.spyware-information.com where you will find free spyware cleaners, downloads, removal software and valuable tips. For regularly updated articles about adware, spyware and protection from identity theft go to http://spyware-information.com/articles_1.html

Antispyware and Antivirus software ought to be the same 'ware...

2007-11-08T01:58:00.000-08:00

Every network client must have antivirus software. We've been told so for years, and the message is finally sinking in. Network admission and integrity control are poised to enforce it today in enterrprise networks and hopefully soon for public Internet access as well. Concern over spyware is increasing so rapidly that I fully expect that antispyware, too, will be a prerequisite for network logon. The problem I foresee is that, if we instrument poorly, network admission will end up like the queues at customs and immigration services: long, slow, tedious, and frustrating.

Now that the tools are present to actually enforce network admission, pause to think of all the things an organization might really want to check before admitting a client to a trusted network (and by client, I include handhelds and phones):

* firewall software
* antivirus software
* antispyware software
* popup blocking software
* antispam software
* Operating System and application patches and hotfixes
* VPN client

Now, it's not enough to simply check to see if the software are present. Are all the software running? Are they applying known and trusted configurations and policies? Are they all current with detection and component updates (e.g., virus and infected file definition databases, enhancements to analysis engines)? Are logs being processed as the organization intends? The checklist is considerable, but checking items isn't a meaningful source of delay. The killer question might be, "When was the last full scans of the client to detect and remove all forms of malware?"

If my PCs and laptops are typical clients, a full system antivirus scan is a 15-20 minute exercise. So is a full spyware scan. They don't run real well together, even on fast CPU with 512 KB - 1 MB RAM. Consider the laptop-enabled mobile user: between the WiFi adapter, and between 30-45 minutes of disk accesses, it's quite conceivable that batteries will run dry before network admission is completed.

The lesson should be familiar to CNN viewers: if admission controls are designed poorly, you'll have immigrants passing out from exhaustion and starvation at your borders.

Network admission and integrity control advocates might reply, "we don't have to force the user to full scan, we only have to check to see the last full scan was performed recently."

The value of recently will of course vary, and so will the window of opportunity, but this is not an entirely bad strategy.

Better, in my mind at least, is a strategy that says, "have fewer dependencies, make them more robust, and close the window entirely". This is especially useful for organizations that concede desktop administration to employees, and for service providers, who conceded admin to largely non-technical consumers. Best of breed works best when you have experts familiar with and catering to all the needs of each breed. To take network admission to large populations, we need desktop security suites, or operating systems that "do it all".

During recent client visits where we discussed spyware, I've been bombarded with the same question: why don't antivirus products protect against spyware. The only answer that really matters is, "they will".

Or, perhaps, they must.

http://www.securityskeptic.com/sameware.htm

Spyware: Your Worst Nightmare

2007-11-08T01:56:00.000-08:00

You think viruses, worms, blended threats and spam are bad? Spyware is worse...

Spyware is software - a program file, a browser helper object, or a dynamic link library, for example - installed on your computer, without your knowledge or permission. Sometimes called adware, nastyware, crapware, scumware, and worse, it's all aggravating, and intrusive. It's enough to turn pacifists into violent activists.

Like spam, spyware delivers unsolicited advertising; unlike spam, spyware tries to deliver targeted advertising. Targeted advertising is based on the premise that the web pages you visit; how long you stay; and where you go provides useful insights about your buying interests and preferences. The theory is, "we know what you like, so if we will bombard you with advertisements of things you like, we will a good chance of evoking a purchase from you."

To target advertising, it's necessary to monitor web use. Monitoring surfing activity - also called tracking and data mining - is a huge industry gone awry. Nearly every merchant is online, resulting in millions of web sites, and online advertising of some form or other on seemingly every page. Understandibly, many companies grow anxious that they cannot compete unless they gain some sort of competitive edge. Some are willing to hire professionals to track user behavior and, by whatever means necessary, lure or redirect users to their web pages.

Enter the spyware companies. Unlike viruses, most spyware is developed by businesses interested in profit more than malics. Spyware companies employ professional software developers, and their product, however distasteful to the public, provides a service. The business of spyware is to help customers (affiliate web sites) increase traffic and sales. Spyware tracks web use, collects information about web users, analyzes what it collects, and either delivers ads for affiliates, or contrives to force users to an affiliate's web presence.

The troublesome aspect of the spyware business model is that the software that spyware companies use to collect data from your PC or to record your surfing history typically collects information you would keep private, if you had a choice. Relatively beningn spyware may gather your web visit history, but truly "spy" ware can collect every URL you visit; record every keystroke you take; and even provide remote administrative control (RAT) to someone intent on observing every virtual move you make.

A companion problem is that spyware, especially browser hijackers, literally take control of a PC and browser. Spyware can alter your Internet settings, substitute home pages, add favorites, and even alter the way your PC looks up domain names, all in an effort to drive traffic to affiliate sites. These pests can redirect queries to legitimate search engines (Google, Yahoo, or AltaVista) requests through their own search engines, which return substitute results to direct you to their affiliates. In some cases, the search results have nothing to do with the original query; in the extreme, users are redirected to offensive (porn) sites, possibly through "for fee" dialers.

Tracking technology is a growing headache for companies as well. Tracking spyware doesn't bother to distinguish proprietary, sensitive and regulated information from all the other information it is collecting. Financial institutions, healthcare organizations, and essentially any organization that must comply with regulations should pay particular attention to the potential for spyware to divulge personal information they must protect. Businesses in general must appreciate that spyware increases risks such as premature or unauthorized disclosure of intellectual property, earnings reports, high profile personnel changes, and product announcements.

Spyware takes many forms. Tracking cookies, browser helper objects, toolbars, web accelerators, and free download versions of software are all hosts for spyware "parasites". Many forms of spyware will go undetected by personal firwewalls and antivirus software, and it is quite common that spyware infestations are self-inflicted. That appealing solitaire game, the helpful toolbar, and sadly, even free or trial versions of antispyware software are all potential spyware carriers.

Spyware can be as malicious as trojans incorporated into a blended threat attack. Keyloggers may be installed as part of the package. Spyware may turn ugly on you. Try to remove it, and spyware may self-destruct and leave your Registry, browser configuration, and DLLs damaged beyond recovery. The presence of spyware on your computer may prevent you from successfully upgrading your operating system (especially to Windows XP Service Pack 2). Registry and other files installed by spyware may interfere with network adapters, LAN and dialup networking, and application installations.

Antispyware appears to be abundant. but deceptive practices and crapware taint the antispyware product market. Rogue spyware may offer free scans, but many produce long lists of false positives to frighten you into purchasing the product. Some antispyware software even incorporates tracking techniques and advertising if you choose to download the free or trial versions. Other rogue antispyware companies bombard you with popups - Your computer may be infected with spyware! - and other forms of unsolicited and misleading advertising: isn't this what you're trying to eliminate?

Use antispyware software. The best current defense against spyware may be to employ more than one antispyware tool, as no one tool is 100 per cent effective in combatting spyware. Some free for personal use spyware detection, blocking and removal utilities are very effective, and have a broad approval base. Some companies practice deceptive marketing and post bogus review sites, so do not base your decision entirely on one review. Check multiple sources, visit rogue spyware list sites, and consider the informal reviews at my Spyware Resources page.

http://www.securityskeptic.com/spywareworstnightmare.htm

How to Protect Your Computer from Spyware and Adware

2007-11-08T01:53:00.000-08:00

As if spam, viruses, and worms aren't bad enough. Adware and spyware are here to sap the remaining life out of your productivity and privacy. Cookies are harmless in comparison!

Adware is software that displays advertisements on your computer. These are ads that inexplicably pop up on your display screen, even if you're not browsing the Internet. Some companies provide "free" software in exchange for advertising on your display. It's how they make their money.

Spyware is software that sends your personal information to a third party without your permission or knowledge. This can include information about Web sites you visit or something more sensitive like your user name and password. Unscrupulous companies often use this data to send you unsolicited targeted advertisements.

I've noticed more postings in the Microsoft Windows XP newsgroups about these threats. Many of the postings ask how they can tell if they have spyware on their systems and how to remove spyware if they find it. A small handful asks how to fix problems left over after removing spyware. I'm glad to see a lot of the advice offered from other enthusiasts and I'm going to share some of that advice with you in this month's column.
Windows Media Player 9 Series Questions

Now I know that a small number of you think of Windows XP, Windows Media Player, or Windows Messenger as spyware. The reason I disagree is that Microsoft provides a good combination of privacy notice and choice to users regarding the use of Web services and the sharing of information. For example, when you first run Windows Media Player 9 Series, you're given a chance to review the privacy options and make changes as you see fit. To further preserve your privacy, the default value of the player ID is set to "anonymous."
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Is Your PC Affected by Spyware?

The main problem that most people notice with either kind of program is that they cause performance issues with their computers. For example, Internet Explorer might not work properly any more, your computer might hang more frequently, or your computer might slow down significantly. Removing spyware successfully is difficult enough to make preventing it in the first place a priority.

Unauthorized adware and spyware usually install on your computer covertly by using one of two methods:
•

Tricking you into clicking a link that installs it. Links to spyware can be deceptive. For example, a Web site that's trying to push spyware onto your computer might open a window that looks like a Windows dialog box, and then trick you by installing when you click a Cancel button to close the dialog box. Sometimes, spyware pushers will put a fake title bar in an empty window, and then install spyware when you try closing the window.

• Installing freeware that includes it. For example, you might install a free file-sharing program that surreptitiously installs spyware on your computer. File-sharing programs can be a major conveyor of adware.

Once installed, spyware can transmit your personal information and download advertisements 24 hours a day. It can also hijack your browser settings, such as your home page or search page.
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Protect against Spyware and Adware

Without help, you have no way to prevent adware or spyware. Old antivirus programs don't even prevent adware, since they didn't consider them viruses or worms. First, you usually give permission to install adware, although you do so unwittingly because adware and spyware pushers are deceptive. Second, adware doesn't behave like a typical virus or worm. They don't usually do actual damage to your computer, other than wrecking its performance, and they don't spread themselves using your address book. (Although some kinds of adware can break your anti-spyware tools.)

Things are changing for the better, though. Most popular antivirus products now include adware and spyware scanning. For example, the latest versions of McAfee VirusScan, Norton AntiVirus 2004, and Trend Micro PC-Cillin 2004 now scan for some adware and spyware.

Also, some Internet service providers (ISPs) are introducing protection from adware and spyware. For example, America Online (AOL) announced in January spyware protection as an enhancement for AOL 9.0 Optimized. EarthLink also provides adware and spyware protection through the latest version of its software. Of course, to take advantage of the built-in protection that antivirus products and ISPs provide, you have to update to the latest versions, and keep the anti-spyware/adware signatures current.
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Prevent Unwanted Installation

Companies pushing adware and spyware are relying on two things: your desire for free software and your gullibility. I've had two friends bring me their computers after they were seriously infected with adware. In one case, the culprit was my friend's craving for free file-sharing software. His desktop was a mess with countless icons for programs that he downloaded from the Internet. I was aghast. What he didn't realize is that he gave implicit permission to install adware. He knows better now.

My other friend isn't a freeware glutton. Instead, she has a habit of clicking the Yes or OK buttons on every dialog box she sees. Even suspicious-looking dialog boxes that don't pass close scrutiny. Of course, when a dialog box pops up asking if it's OK to install a new program, she clicks the Yes button.

The lesson that you can learn from my friends will help you prevent the installation of most adware and spyware:

• Make sure the programs you install don't contain adware. Many freeware programs do include adware. It's how the publishers make their money. If you're not sure, read the license agreement carefully (these are usually shown directly or through links as part of the installation process). Also, check the publisher's Web site very carefully. If you're still not sure, search Google Groups for the name of the program and the keywords adware or spyware. If you don't find any postings about it, then you're probably OK.

• Install a pop-up blocker to prevent adware and spyware pop-up windows. Much spyware installs after you click a deceptive link in a pop-up browser window. Install a pop-up blocker, and you won't even be tempted to click those links. My two favorite pop-up blockers are completely free. The first is the new MSN Toolbar. The second is the Google Toolbar. Pop-up windows are annoying time wasters anyway, so you'll thank yourself later. If you're a Windows XP user, look for a service pack this summer (Service Pack 2) that will include a number of great security features, as well as a pop-up blocker for Internet Explorer.

• Don't unwittingly install adware or software. If you do click what seems like a innocuous link, and then you see a dialog box similar to the one shown in Figure 1, don't click the Yes button to install the software. In this example, I was expecting to install a program from Microsoft so I feel safe. If in doubt, however, do not proceed. This dialog box is your last line of defense, and you should only install programs from the Internet that you chose to install. This is akin to giving someone your credit card number who calls you at home. It's a different story if you called them. Installing Windows XP SP 2 (when it's available later this summer) will also provide some help by suppressing unsolicited downloads of ActiveX controls (a popular vehicle for spyware).

Spyware scanners and some virus scanners with spyware signatures can help combat spyware. However, the best strategy is to be discriminating about what you choose to download and install.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/expert/honeycutt_spyware.mspx

Spyware, Adware and Malware

2007-11-07T02:13:00.000-08:00

Downloading software has gotten pretty dangerous these days. You have to worry if you got a virus, a worm or other "bad things." I hope that everyone is running an anti-virus program, perhaps supplemented by a firewall. The purpose of this article is to discuss some of those other "bad things," to tell you what they are and to suggest what you can do about them.

Lets start off with some quick definitions. A virus is defined as “…a program which makes a copy of itself in such a way as to ‘infect’ parts of the operating system and/or application programs.” Left unchecked, it will occupy the entire space available on your system, wiping out all other data. A worm is similiar to a virus (perhaps this is an oversimplification, but from an end-user perspective) but will spread from system to system, via network or internet connection. There are plenty of good anti-virus programs out there. Here is a review of four (http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,113462,tk,wb122403x,00.asp) and I can personally recommend AVG from Grisoft. I have not used Avast from Alwil, but it may be even better. If you don't have one GET ONE NOW! Was I clear about that? One of the reasons that we have so much trouble today is that people don't do the simplest things. Being on the Internet is like driving a car. If you don't maintain it, you are a danger to both yourself and others.

Here is a similiar list of free firewall programs: http://www.free-firewall.org/ Why do you need one? Because people can still access your computer through your network connection. And yes, an internet connection is a type of network connection.

Okay enough about that. Lets assume that you have an anti-virus program and have supplemented it with a firewall. So, now you're safe right? Wrong. There is a third class of "bad things" out there called "malware." Malware is the term used for programs that are considered MALicious softWARE. It includes viruses and worms, but also includes Spyware and Adware. We can go further into definitions, but the usual distinction between Spyware and Adware is that Spyware is a "surprise" and Adware politely asks if it can come in before invading your computer. In other words, you go to install a program, say a screensaver. The installation dialogue asks if you also want say Gator, a famous (infamous) adware program. You don't know what it does and unthinkingly you say "yes." That is adware. If it doesn't ask, just goes ahead and installs it, that is spyware. Either way, you end up with crap- uh, I mean "bad stuff"- on your computer.

The original rationale behind Adware was to generate revenue for software developers. But in general, it has gone beyond that legitimate mission.Let me quote form Webroots definitions: "Adware is advertising-supported software that displays pop-up advertisements whenever the program is running. The software is usually available via free download from the Internet, and it is the advertisements that create revenue for the company. Although seemingly harmless (aside from intrusiveness and annoyance of pop-up ads), adware can install components onto your computer that track personal information (including your age, gender, location, buying preferences, surfing habits, etc.). Most advertising supported software doesn't inform you that it installs adware on your system, other than via buried reference in a license agreement. In many cases the software will not function without the adware component. Some Adware can install itself on your computer even if you decline the offer."

Then we come to Spyware. Basically the same as Adware, but the authors didn't bother to even include a notice in the fine print. It doesn't replicate itself, so its not a virus. It doesn't spread from computer to computer by itself, so its not a worm. What does it do? Some of the functions are to track your web browsing, display ads that are refreshed from a home site, monitor what you have downloaded, gather and collect personal information about you, and hi-jack your browser. Hi-jacking your browser can mean taking you to a site that sells a product when you were intending just to research.

The amazing thing about this is that not only is it legal, but companies that imbed this code are prospering. A lot of the companies that provide this "content" are publicly traded, "legitamate" corporations. See http://home.earthlink.net/~doniteli/index73.htm#list for a partial list. I can tell you, there are plenty more. Not to pick one out as being any worse than the others, but Doubleclick is traded on the NASDAQ as DCLK. Regardless, I don't want it on my computer.

Not only are these programs an invasion of privacy, but they can substantially degrade performance and create vulnerabilites that leave your PC exposed.

So, what can you do? Lavasoft makes one of the best-known anti-spyware solutions, Adaware. You can visit them at http://www.lavasoft.de/. Spybot S&D (Search and Destroy) is also highly rated. See http://www.safer-networking.org/. Both have free versions available. Both ask for donations and frankly, if people donated to freeware authors the rationale for software developers to bundle Spyware would go away. (Editorial comment.)

But I am going to recommend a different product, again based on my personal experience. I use Pest Patrol, an anti-spyware program. Not only have I found it effective, but there is a free internet-based scan available from http://www.pestscan.com/ Feel free to give it a try.

http://kupe.joeuser.com/index.asp?c=1&AID=11335

free adware spyware remove information

2007-11-07T02:11:00.000-08:00

Below, you'll find extensive information on leading free adware spyware remove articles and products to help you with free adware spyware remove.

Finding And Fighting Spyware

By Mitch Johnson

Internet users have a slim to none chance at avoiding spyware because of the countless threats possible. Also making spyware difficult to avoid is its ability to install itself in your computer from numerous angles which forces you to find protection for your computer in several ways, none of which will guarantee complete protection. Downloading freeware and clicking on pop up ads are the most common ways a computer becomes infected with spyware but even beyond that users are invaded unknowingly by spyware just by surfing through seemingly secure sites.

Problems arise with more malicious applications such as spyware, Trojans, keyloggers, dialers and adware. These invasive programs are designed to record your personal information such as passwords, email and instant messages, credit card numbers and more. A dialer can use your internet connection to link to long distance connections or premium services, all of which will in turn run up a large bill on your internet connection. Other malicious spyware applications can invade your personal information and record computer usage habits, resulting in advertising bombardment or identity theft.

You are close to guaranteed to have spyware if you have never run a spyware specific scan or taken other measure to prevent the infections. Signals that your computer has been infected with spyware are not noticeable immediately upon their invasion but after running a while and having other spyware application build up, your computer will begin to show signs. Changes not authorized by you, the computer administrator, in your internet favorites list or browser homepage are sure signs of spyware. A constant stream of pop ups hints greatly towards spyware as does the sudden appearance of internet toolbars on your web pages. Slow computer functioning, pro longed system start ups and browser crashers are also strong signals that your computer has spyware.

Instead of avoiding the internet users can take precautions against

spyware infection. Start protecting yourself by going into your system and turning off the install on demand option so that programs are not automatically installed, along with spyware, while you are online. To continue the ability to download wanted programs you can go through a few extra steps. Insecure or improper internet settings make your computer much more vulnerable to spyware and its consequences.

Running one or more spyware tool scan will rid your system of most spyware threat and purchasing or finding a free program that provides active spyware protection will enhance your chances of avoiding future infections. Before performing any spyware scans go into your computer and remove the internet cookies as well as the offline content files so the scan will run faster.

Spybot Search and Destroy and AdAware SE Personal are the two most renowned free spyware tools because of their full service at no cost. Any spyware tool you chose should be used on a regular basis so that applications do not have an opening for invasion.

http://spywarebot.4-u-now.com/spyware-nuker/free-adware-spyware-remove.php

Adware And Spyware Such A Pain

2007-11-07T02:10:00.000-08:00

Spywares and adwares are not only annoying but more often than not tend to damage your computer software and sometimes can even cause some damage to your hardware too. These annoying bugs have become a bane for internet browsers worldwide. They have become a normal occurrence that we sometimes tend to ignore but God forbid we should never accept.

Spyware is computer software that spies on your internet usage. It collects highly personal and confidential information like credit card numbers, IPs and even addresses. The spyware program gets the credit card entries as the user logs them on a web form or an online application. Some spyware are even programmed to record your usage of the internet, what sites you visit, what files you download and how long you stay online http://www.setting1.com

The information are then sent or sold to advertisers which make good use of them for advertising campaigns that targets specific markets or audience. Usually, Spyware records IP addresses and shopping habits covertly or without the knowledge or consent of users. They do that in a number of ways. Some uses logging keystrokes to get information while some access the documents found in your computer's hard disk.

The term spyware first came to use in 1995 but the adoption of its present meaning came five years later. Spyware has been identified as the top security threats to computers using the Microsoft Windows operating systems. And Internet Explorer users were found to be the ones more susceptible to spyware attacks. Because of the popularity of IE and Windows, spyware programs were created to specifically attack and find its way from the internet into IE and into the important parts of the Windows operating system.

The threats are real and that's why the anti-spyware industry is flourishing. For every new spyware discovered, an anti-spyware program or update is created. These anti-spyware products usually disable or remove the existing spyware from the user's computer system. Once installed, they also provide protection preventing a variety of spyware programs from installing themselves in your computer.

However, there's a need to update these anti-spyware programs regularly. The World Wide Web is a fast pace medium. Everything in there changes quickly and even sporadically. The same goes with spyware. You never know when advertisers, web developers or even the government will come out with newer versions of spyware or adware that have improved ways of accessing your files and personal information. Some spyware program offer an uninstall option together with the program.

Most of the time, however, these uninstall options don't work. Some even installs more spyware instead of removing that particular one. So, it is best that you rely on services of anti-spyware programs to fully remove them from your operating system.

But while it is good that there are various anti-spyware programs at your disposal, it is better that you prevent the installation of these spyware in the first place. Some of the techniques that you could use are to disable the automatic installations of programs in your internet browsers and to install pop-up blockers.

Spyware and adware attaches themselves more frequently on those rather annoying advertising pop-ups. When accessing your email, it is a good practice to ignore mails that came from persons that you do not know or those that contain a vague subject. It is best that you delete these emails without opening them. It is quite cumbersome, but you really need to take time doing these things to make sure that your computers are free from spyware.

To Remove the Worse You Need the Best (best free spyware adware removal)

Imagine yourself walking along a busy street, minding your own business. You stop by a men's clothing store. You look at the window display, point at a new pair of shoes. After a few minutes of gawking at the window display you move on home.

As you go inside your house, you noticed a flyer on your porch. The flyer is on the exact pair of shoes that you saw in the men's store. How did they know? Was it coincidence? If this all happened in the internet, then it's probably not a coincidence. Your computer has been watched and your "movement" in the Web has been recorded. Your operating system has some spyware in it.

Spyware are computer programs that attach themselves in whatever things you download online. They are designed to track you wherever you go online. Spyware is a little different from adware. Adware are also referred to as freeware and are basically ads that pop-up when you open a website or webpage or open a program.

Spyware are similar in that they are also freeware, however, spyware programs have embedded tracking programs which reports your activity in the internet to the spyware agent which in turn provides the information to advertisers and web developers. With this information, advertisers and web developers and even the government can feed your computers with any information they want without your consent and even without you noticing it.

It is best, therefore that you employ some precautionary measures yourselves to stay free from spyware and adware attacks. First you need to disable auto installation of software programs in your internet browsers and you need use pop-up blockers and firewall protection.

This is your first line of defense against such spyware programs. The next thing to do is to get decent anti-spyware programs. It shouldn't be too hard, there are a lot of them nowadays and most of them are free or at the very least have free trial accounts.

Among the most popular free anti-spyware and adware programs are Ad Aware and Active Shield. Ad Aware offers advanced protection against Data-mining, Parasites, aggressive advertising, Scumware and some traditional viruses and tracking systems like Trojans, Dialers, Malware and Browser hijackers. Active Shield on the other hand targets trojans and spyware.

Other popular anti-spyware software include Spy-Ad Exterminator Free which searches the computer's memory, hard drives, and registry for spyware, adware, worms, hijacks, keyloggers, among others; Spy Cleaner Lite which identifies and removes programs that has been covertly installed in your systems; Spyware Doctor is an advanced adware and spyware removal program; Free Spyware Scanner tells the user how their computer got infected and the best solution for spyware removal; Doctor Alex Antispyware; Spyware Begone; 1-2-3 Spyware Free; and Easy Spyware Scanner.

Most of the time, these anti-spyware scanners and removal utilities will locate spyware and adware in your computer and will delete, ignore, or quarantine each and every one of them. Some anti-spyware programs will remove spyware automatically while other provides a user interface option where you can customize specific actions the anti-spyware would perform.

Some other popular spyware removal software includes Anti-Hijacker, Spyware & Adware Removal, Max Secure Spyware Detector, and Deluxe Spy-Kill utilities. These are just some of the more popular spyware removal software. It's up to you which one you choose, but try to look for reputable ones. Look at reviews and ask for referrals from friends.

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Adware And Spyware Such A Pain

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Spyware Risk: It's Time to Get Smart

2007-11-07T02:08:00.000-08:00

Many users vaguely understand the security risks, privacy invasions, and performance costs associated with having spyware secretly and maliciously installed on their computers. Fewer users know the many forms spyware takes and the truly evil activities it performs. Beyond a general sense that spyware is uninvited, malicious software, average users know very little about it.

Until recently, people have dismissed spyware as less important to contend with than viruses and spam. I believe spyware poses an even greater threat than viruses and spam. Spyware can be as debilitating as the nastiest of viruses. The financial threats spyware poses are far ranging and more serious than e-mail credit card scams (phishing), and the privacy issues and liabilities spyware exposes are grim. Small and medium business must understand what spyware is and the threats spyware poses. In this, the first of two articles, I'll explain why spyware represents greater risk than you might have realized. In the second article, we'll analyze spyware solutions, and pick the best.
A spyware sampler

To simply call spyware uninvited softwareis misleading. Spyware installed on your PC can modify the Windows Registry and add dynamic link libraries (DLLs) and download program files (DPFs, e.g., hostile ActiveX or Java VM objects) to your system. Some spyware exploits Web browsers (especially Internet Explorer) by installing ActiveX controls, browser helper objects (BHO), and toolbars, or by modifying browser Internet options, including home pages, favorites lists, and context menu items. Some spyware even alters TCP/IP settings and hosts files.

Online spyware encyclopedia and glossaries identify tens of thousands of malicious code considered spyware. Some commonly encountered types of spyware include:

* Adware
* Browser session hijackers
* Remote Administration Tools (RATs)
* Tracking agents
* Double agent spyware.

Let's take a brief look at how each of these adds to your risk.

Not all adware is (technically) spyware, but many experts feel that even permission-ware is spyware when it delivers unsolicited advertising. Common delivery methods include unrequested browser windows (popups) and ad-sponsored applications. There are currently nearly 800 ad-sponsored and spyware-encumbered software offerings. This diverse group includes free versions of games (Midnight Oil Solitaire); FTP clients (FTP Works); e-mail clients (Eudora; music players; Web and system utility software; and more, often coming with a catch. The software developer receives revenue from advertisers who display advertising in windows or toolbar features of the so-called freeware. Some adware (e.g., FlashTrack) tracks a user's Web activities and search queries. It then sends this information to advertising servers like Aureate and Aveo, which return targeted advertising (commonly, popup ads) based on keywords and phrases. As many parents know, even seemingly benign keywords like "kittens" can expose their children to objectionable material, including pornography.

Browser session hijacking is a kind of virtual world bait-and-switch. Spyware (Icoo, WurldMedia, Xupiter Toolbar, Lop, BonziBuddy, CoolWebSearch) redirects browser sessions and search queries, taking users to Web sites and search engines they didn't intend to visit. The hijacked user can be exposed to undesirable or suspect content and advertising. The hijackers earn referral commissions and affiliate fees by selectively referring the user to an e-commerce site that offers some service or product similar to the site the user intended.

Certain Remote Administration Tools (RATs) and keyloggers are examples of Trojan horse spyware. As the names imply, these give attackers administrative control, or extraordinary eavesdropping and intercept capabilities. Acting remotely, an attacker can intercept and log user keystrokes, monitor application and browser activities, and even intercept WebCam streams. BackOrifice and Sub7 are examples of attacker RATs and pose a DDoS threat. Commercial RATs like NetObserve and Spyagent are ostensibly sold for "legitimate tracking" by managers, parents and suspicious spouses. The recent and notorious Bankhook.A is a keystroke-logging BHO delivered as an attachment to an e-mail message. Once installed, Bankhook tries to find banking account access data on a PC.

Tracking agents, Web bugs, and data miners are virtual dumpster divers. They can monitor your Web browsing, shopping, e-mail, and instant messaging activities, and might gather system configuration and personal information as well. Some tracking companies use this information to deliver targeted advertising, but others sell or abuse what they gather. Alexa, a popular search toolbar, is also a data miner. Transponder/VX2 mines e-mail addresses, browser histories, and also scrounges data from Web forms and configuration files. Gator/GAIN (now Claria) claims to be permission-ware, but anti-spyware experts claim the client, which auto-completes forms and saves passwords, tracks user buying habits.

Double agent spyware. Sadly, some software that advertises as anti-spyware is itself spyware. Users download trial- or freeware versions of so-called security software they expect will remove adware, only to learn that these versions are in fact adware. Reputable anti-spyware vendors like PestPatrol and Kephyr Labs identify RedV EasyInstaller and SpyBlast as spyware. If you think there's no worse behavior than this, think again: some anti-spyware (SpyWiper) hijacks home pages, hoping to scare unwitting users into purchasing their product (virtual protection racketeering!).
Assessing the spyware threat level

In the vernacular of Homeland Security, the spyware "threat level" is somewhere between Elevated and High. If your business operates in a regulated environment, place the threat level between High and Severe. Consider these threats:

* Disclosure of sensitive or regulated information. Spyware that tracks browser activity doesn't distinguish between intranet or Internet requests. Hyperlinks, browser histories, favorites lists, and cached Web form data can contain business records, proprietary information, trade secrets, credit card and personal data, medical and financial data, and account passwords, which may be abused by the collection agent or sold to third parties.

* Users may fall victim to felony-class criminal acts. Keyloggers reveal sensitive personal and company information, including passwords, credit card and financial information, and potentially embarrassing personal information. An intercepted WebCam stream might reveal embarrassing activities. The opportunities spyware creates for fraud, identity theft, and personal or business-targeted extortion should be taken very seriously.

* Loss of productivity. Spyware steals CPU and bandwidth while it is running. Spyware isn't the best-written software in the world and commonly causes system instability and the dreaded blue screen of death . Spyware removal is often non-trivial, disruptive, or destructive. Some spyware remains on your system after you have uninstalled the freeware, and some might reinstall itself if not entirely removed. If spyware extensively infests your network, you can spend as much time repairing and remediating systems as you would following a virus incident or backdoor attack.

* System and Network Intrusions. The information collected by trackers, miners and RATs is gold for any attacker engaged in an information gathering expedition, which is the preparation stage in a targeted attack. Hosts identified in hyperlinks and system configuration information help attackers map networks and services. Some organizations (unwisely) transmit account names and passwords in plain text across intranet links. Need I say more?

* Tarnished brand image and loss of business. Your company can be affected by spyware, even if every computer you operate is spyware-free. If hijacking spyware victimizes your company, you'll lose sales opportunities when users are redirected away from your site, to a competitor. Hijacking spyware has also been used to scam companies who pay fees for advertising referrals. A disreputable ad company, hired to drive traffic to e-merchant sites of its patrons, might embed spyware in a "must have" toolbar. The spyware replaces the user's default search engine, and sends users to pages of its patrons, even when they are not a suitable match. The patrons pay for these contrived referrals but often do not derive the expected revenue per click-through.

* Exposure to litigation. Some employees may react strongly to the delivery of objectionable, especially sexually explicit advertising, and may respond by claiming sexual harassment. Whether the claim has merit or not, the publicity, court time, expense, and loss of credibility can be more than your company wants to deal with.

I hope I've convinced you that spyware is a serious threat. In my next article, I'll describe methods to identify and remediate systems infected with spyware, and methods to provide ongoing protection. I'll also recommend spyware removal and blocking software to assist you in these processes, along with some emerging "best antispyware" practices. See you next week.

http://www.watchguard.com/infocenter/editorial/15744.asp

Hunting Down Spyware And Adware - Article

2007-11-07T02:05:00.000-08:00

Most of us hate spyware and adware. Unless you're a web developer which has a couple of spyware and adware programs tied to your credentials, chances are you belong to the majority of web browsers who seek the assistance of anti-spyware removal programs to kill spyware and adware infections in their computers.

There are a number of ways to kill or remove spyware infections. Most of them involve easy enough steps. However, there are times when the computer has been too infected by a multitude of spyware programs that the only solution that remains is to format the hard drive of the computer. To start anew is sometimes the only way to free your computers from such infections.

Nevertheless, there are a lot of anti-spyware and anti-virus programs out in the market that are able to identify and remove, delete or quarantine spyware utilities and their infected files efficiently. Anti-spyware and anti-virus creators are working overtime to keep up with the development of spyware and adware programs. They need to release versions of their anti-spyware utilities as quickly as possible or they will be overrun by spyware's development.

The best way, of course, to rid your computer of these problematic and irritating spyware is to prevent them from entering your system in the first place. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, as they say. You need to be cautious on the websites that you browse. Do understand that most of the spyware programs attach themselves to various advertisements that contain adult contents. The various porn sites in the internet are a cesspool of spyware, adware, malware and viruses.

If y
ou noticed unrelated pop-up ads that regularly appear as you browse the web, this is a sign that your computer is already infected by spyware programs. You should also remember that when you find a spyware software installed in your computer, it is never alone. If you find one, then your computer is most likely a host to several spyware and adware programs. Each of this spyware and adware may even install their own sets of components which can be found in different locations of your computer system.

It is quite fortunate that a number of anti-spyware scanning and removal tools available area able to locate and remove the main spyware application as well as all its embedded components. One other symptom that shows your computer has been a victim to spyware and adware infections is a sluggish system http://www.coffee5.com

When it takes your computer like forever to load an application or even go to the Windows desktop, there's a big likelihood that spyware and adware has found their way in your operating systems and are hindering the normal speed of your applications.

But why do spyware exist? Basically, spyware applications are very good marketing tool. They enable advertisers to target specific audiences for their campaigns. The pop-up ads when viewed from an objective view point serve audiences or consumers by providing related links to similar websites and services. But because spyware applications have been used extensively, have been abused and have been used for unscrupulous activities, they have become more of an annoyance overshadowing their potential legitimate benefits.

Among the anti-spyware scanners and cleaners available, SpyBot and Ad-aware are two of the most popular programs. These two are among the best spyware and adware killers in the industry.

http://www.discoveryarticles.com/articles/541/1/Hunting-Down-Spyware-And-Adware/Page1.html

How Viruses and Spyware Get In to your computer

2007-11-07T02:02:00.000-08:00

Spyware and viruses infect an individual or business computer in many ways, from the obvious methods to the sneaky, back door tricks. Viruses are designed to interrupt and alter normal computer functioning and spyware is intended to literally spy on its victims, all the while recording their personal information. Either infection, no matter what the method in which it intruded by, can cause an array of difficulties for the computer user.

Often times viruses and spyware are put into your computer by opening insecure emails and sharing files with infected computers. Spyware also intrudes as a “ride along” on third party software you might purchase and download online. In other situations spyware and viruses find a “back door” in your computer and use it to install their malicious codes.
Signs your computer has been affected by viruses or spyware could be unusual behavior and slower functioning.

Unauthorized dial out from your internet connection are most likely spyware applications. Other common signs include browser crashes, longer boot ups, more pop ups and possibly missing files.

To get rid of any virus or spyware infection back up your files and scan them for viruses and/or spyware. Keep your virus and spyware software updated and run the scans regularly. If you have no spyware or virus scanning software it is recommended you find a free programs that will detect and warn you of possible infections.

Once you have the proper software it is important to get rid of spyware infections and viruses as well as protect your privacy and your computer from further invasions. If spyware has latched onto your computer and at scanning tool catches it you will most likely have to remove the entire programs to completely rid yourself of those spyware applications.

Spyware and viruses infect an individual or business computer in many ways, from the obvious methods to the sneaky, back door tricks. Viruses are designed to interrupt and alter normal computer functioning and spyware is intended to literally spy on its victims, all the while recording their personal information. Either infection, no matter what the method in which it intruded by, can cause an array of difficulties for the computer user.

Often times viruses and spyware are put into your computer by opening insecure emails and sharing files with infected computers. Spyware also intrudes as a “ride along” on third party software you might purchase and download online. In other situations spyware and viruses find a “back door” in your computer and use it to install their malicious codes.
Signs your computer has been affected by viruses or spyware could be unusual behavior and slower functioning.

Unauthorized dial out from your internet connection are most likely spyware applications. Other common signs include browser crashes, longer boot ups, more pop ups and possibly missing files.

To get rid of any virus or spyware infection back up your files and scan them for viruses and/or spyware. Keep your virus and spyware software updated and run the scans regularly. If you have no spyware or virus scanning software it is recommended you find a free programs that will detect and warn you of possible infections.

Once you have the proper software it is important to get rid of spyware infections and viruses as well as protect your privacy and your computer from further invasions. If spyware has latched onto your computer and at scanning tool catches it you will most likely have to remove the entire programs to completely rid yourself of those spyware applications.

Article Source: http://www.redsofts.com/articles/

Mitch Johnson is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/ , a site that focuses exclusively on spyware removal software, as well as tips on how to prevent spyware from popping up on your computer. This site articles on has spyware guard, http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/spyware_guard.htm as well as spyware scanner, http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/spyware_scanner.htm

http://www.redsofts.com/articles/read/80/23935/How_Viruses_and_Spyware_Get_In_to_your_computer.html

The Advantages of Spyware Comparison

2007-11-06T02:57:00.000-08:00

The spyware is capable of taking a full screenshot of all of the activities which you are busying yourself with on your computer desktop. Nonetheless, the spyware software program is also able to learn by heart all of the passwords of your email and credit card accounts. As soon as an outsider or intruder has gained illegal access to your email and other personal information of yours, it will start acting on your behalf, sending information and messages to almost anyone included into your address lists, unlawfully assume your personality, commit transactions beyond your knowledge, and henceforth pass on detrimental files, spam, and viruses to all other people with whom you are connected with.

There are variably three ways by which the spyware software gains the access to your email and other pertinent accounts. One is via password cracking, the other one is through key loggers, and then the third one is by theft through interception. Making use of single and easily decipherable passwords all the more increases the leeway of getting your accounts and personal information hacked. The soulless hackers can make use of a known software tool that is capable of trying out every single word that can be found in the dictionary until the correct password is achieved and the access to your email and other accounts is attained.

Technical experts further give out the advice that computer users must opt to make use of the combined cases, symbols, letters, and numerals for your account passwords. As soon as you log in with an unsafe internet connection, there is the greater risk of getting your accounts hacked. It is likewise best and advisable that the http prefix in the web address of the sites you visit is watched out for so as to decrease the onset of the dangers of the spyware software. Finally, the very contemporary option sought by the hackers is to use the key loggers that specifically record your very interesting and intriguing confidential private information and to later on pass them to the most likely engrossed parties.

If you are armed by the most upgraded and effective anti spyware software and spyware remover software along with a firewall protection will automatically save you from grave worries. Certainly, you must always remain active and on the lookout for the most suspicious spyware software which is working its way towards harming you and your files.

It is essential that you are aware of what is said to be the spyware comparison because it is by this means that you will gain insights on how harmful and up to what extent of damage a certain spyware software can pose on you and your data. Spyware comparison is also a very efficient means of figuring out the kind of spyware remover software which you need to use in order to eliminate it. Most advertisement campaigns would also tend to claim that what they have are the finest and the most efficient spyware remover software. But you must not believe them at once as they can really be tricky. You first have to find out what kind of spyware software is harming your computer before you purchase or download for free any type of spyware remover software. You can always lighten up your burden. Get rid of the attacks of the spyware software. Get a spyware comparison and figure out the best possible way to eliminate it.

http://download-super-mall.com/AdwareSpyware/Articles/The_Advantages_of_Spyware_Comparison.php

Best Free Spyware Removal

2007-11-06T02:55:00.000-08:00

SAN FRANCISCO----Aliph, a leading developer of mobile audio products, today announced that its award-winning JawboneÂ® Bluetooth headset was added to the official Geek Squad Double Agent field uniform to encourage safe driving and increase productivity in the field.

Clicking or downloading something may do more harm than good. Studies shown this is the reason that 90% of all the computers in the world have been either been compromised or crashed because of viruses or spyware.

Clicking or downloading something may do more harm than good. Studies shown this is the reason that 90% of all the computers in the world have been either been compromised or crashed because of viruses or spyware.

People are very well aware of what a viruses is but what about spyware. This threat is more potent because the persons credit card number may be used to make transactions without the knowledge of the owner. The only time the individual will realize what had just happened is after receiving the bill at the end of the month, which will take months to correct.

The hacker may also steal passwords, which are sensitive depending on the kind of work that the person is doing. A rival company may get the designs perhaps of a prototype automobile for example and launch this way ahead of time.

These threats are not far fetched because in the technological age, identity theft and corporate espionage are rampant.

The good news is, there is a way to counter these threats. Computer designers have invented spyware removal programs, which can be downloaded and installed in the computer.

There are two types of spyware removal software. The first is designed to prevent such threats from entering the computer. The second, which everyone needs, is something that is on a search and destroy mission.

Here are a few choices for those everyone concerned about computer security.

Since most operating systems in the US use either Windows or Mac, it is only right to start with Microsoft Beta. This scans the computer for any threats and then eliminates it. This program has been around for a few years already, which is why something new and better needs to be made. This is now known as the Defender, which is free for window users.

Another good example is Symantec that has been making programs for a number of years. The spyware remover it has is not free. Users can only avail of a 30 trial period at no cost but has to pay a certain fee to continue enjoying its services.

McAfee is another good example with the success of its product called Virus Scan. Not only does it deal with viruses because this is also designed to take out spyware that may entered the computer.

There is also adaware. Home users can download and use this for free. There is no trial period like the others mentioned however, corporations that are impressed with how it has performed will have to buy it for this to operate in the company network.

The best one around given the number of people who have downloaded it is Spybots Search and Destroy. This is being used by those at home and in the office because not only will scan and delete threats but also prevent new ones from entering. It does the work of two separate programs ensuring security and the best part is that it is free.

There are other free spyware removal programs available in the Internet. Some operate similarly to the others making it hard to choose one from the other. One criteria that the individual must have n selecting will be if there are regular updates from the manufacturer. New threats come out everyday so no one should remain complacent.

Article Source: http://www.searchfreearticles.com/

About the Author

For more information on the best spyware and adware removal software on the internet, please visit http://www.removal-spyware.net

House Probes Threat Posed by Spyware

2007-11-06T02:53:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON (AP)—It's the newest computer security problem to attract the attention of Congress: spyware, or software designed to collect computer users' personal data without their knowledge.

Secretly piggybacking on downloaded Internet software, spyware transmits information about computer usage and generates pop-up advertisements and other annoyances. It often is difficult to uninstall.

Little known a few years ago, spyware is now so common that many consider it the biggest problem for Internet users since spam.

Microsoft estimates spyware is responsible for half of all PC crashes and warns that it has become a multimillion-dollar support issue for computer makers, Internet service providers and technicians.

In some cases, it makes a computer unusable.

A research lab in Washington state found one of its computers "hijacked" by pop-up ads, to the point where "we couldn't do anything," said Patrick Clapshaw, the lab's director.

After a week of frustration and several visits by technicians, the problem was eventually solved, but not before causing at least $500 worth of lost data and downtime.

Clapshaw, of Kirkland, Wash., calls spyware worse than spam.

"To me, this is an aggressive computer takeover," he said. "It's the difference between someone dropping fliers on your front porch, or walking around your house following you and annoying you."

Members of Congress are taking the threat seriously. At least three bills have been introduced to address the problem, with more likely to follow.

"There is no more pernicious, intrusive activity going on in the Internet today" than spyware, said Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

At a hearing Thursday before the panel's subcommittee on commerce, trade and consumer protection, computer makers and user groups urged Congress to address deceptive behavior, rather than ban categories of software. Citing a new Utah law, the groups said broad legislation could end up prohibiting legitimate practices and stifle innovation.

Members of the Federal Trade Commission also urged caution as officials learn more about the problem and the best way to combat it.

"I do not believe legislation is the answer at this time," said commission member Mozelle Thompson. "Instead, we should give industry the time to respond. Self-regulation combined with enforcement of existing laws might be the best way to go."

The go-slow approach infuriated Barton, who said he intends to push a spyware bill through his committee—and the full House—this year.

"You like this stuff? You're the only person in this country that wants spyware on their computer," he told Howard Beales, the FTC's consumer protection chief.

Barton urged FTC officials to work with the committee to draft a new law "instead of trying to defend something that's indefensible."

Beales said the FTC considers spyware a problem, but wants to make sure that legislation targets deceptive behavior while allowing legitimate uses. Some proposed solutions, such as requiring permission every time a user downloads a new program, "would make the process of installing new software extremely tedious," Beales said.

Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., whose district includes Kirkland, called it "absolutely astounding" that the FTC does not see a need for a new law "when we have hundreds of thousands of violations every day." Inslee introduced a bill Thursday that would outlaw spyware programs designed to record Web browsing habits and collect personal data without notice and consent of the user.

Rep. Mary Bono, R-Calif., has introduced a similar bill requiring that consumers receive a clear and conspicuous notice before downloading software. The bill would also require that third parties disclose their identity to the consumer, along with a valid e-mail address.

Sens. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., have introduced a bill prohibiting installation of software on someone else's computer without notice and consent. The bill also would require reasonable "uninstall" procedures for new software.

http://calbears.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zdewk/is_200404/ai_n9520262

Spyware Remover - Kill The Silent Killer

2007-11-06T02:52:00.000-08:00

A spyware remover is a program that cleans up your computer from the menace of spyware. You will be surprised to know that most of the time, spyware runs so silently in the background that you never know that your private information is being transferred to a third party! It is important for you to understand that spyware is a very harmful program for your computer and is a major threat for all Internet users. Some spyware programs even use your computer silently to perform fraudulent activities on thousands of other unprotected computers. All this may happen without your knowledge because most of the times, spyware programs are silent killers. The more time you spend surfing Internet, the more the chances of your computer being infected by the spyware programs. Therefore, it is always prudent to have a spyware removal program installed on your computer.

Functions Of Spyware Remover

The main function of spyware remover programs is to stop any unauthorized installation on your computer. If you are downloading some stuff from a not-so-genuine website, the spyware removal software will warn you regarding that. If you still do not give ear to the warning, you may end up having your computer infected with spyware. Here again, you take the help of the spyware remover, and as the name suggests, they help you to remove spyware from your computer. In order to understand how they do that, you will have to understand the process how spyware programs encroach the privacy of your computer. The registry files of your computer are very important and they carry valuable information regarding your Internet usage. What is more, if you are doing financial transactions on Internet, the registry files may also store your financial information. That is the reason the spyware programs directly attack these registry files and make room for themselves there.

Spyware detection is not an easy thing to do and you will have a tough time if you are trying to detect and delete the same manually. It is not recommended to mess with them because they may create much bigger problems for you. The Spyware remover programs are the best medicine for them. They are designed to perform spyware detection in a very efficient manner. They analyze the registry files, detect the spyware and remove the same. Your registry files get back to its normal state and your computer gets rid of the spyware.

Article Source: UnArchived Articles

http://articles.webraydian.com/article2679-Spyware_Remover__Kill_The_Silent_Killer.html

Microsoft Anti-Spyware

2007-11-06T02:51:00.000-08:00

As the resolve of Microsoft strengthens against the constant band of people taking advantage of security vulnerabilities in their most popular Operating System, we see an interesting new piece of software available to download from the Microsoft website designed to tackle Spyware.

Spyware is the collective name for an almost always unwanted program that either installs itself automatically when you visit a suspect website or along with a legitimate free program as a way of financing its development. Spyware can compromise your computer in a variety of ways including collecting sensitive information from your Internet sessions, exposing you to unwanted adverts, changing your home page settings or even your Internet settings in general which is severe cases can lead to your computer dialling a premium rate number when you connect to the Internet.

Still in beta (un-finished) version, Microsoft AntiSpyware is designed to prevent such programs from compromising your computer. Of course this is no new idea as those who are regular readers to my column will testify; I have often spoke of the utility SpyBot which also aims to achieve such a task but the fact Microsoft is developing its own solution is an interesting development.

AntiSpyware not only searches for Spyware currently on your computer but it can also be set to continuously guard your computer whilst you are using it; much in the same way virus checkers do. If the program detects anything suspicious such as a webpage trying to change your Internet settings then it will stop it silently in the background. Currently 50 different avenues which developers use to get Spyware on your computer have been blocked but as Microsoft are involved in the worldwide community `SpyNet´ you can be sure that more preventative solutions will be added before the final release.

Whilst the Beta version is completely free of charge the website doesn´t actually state whether the finished version of this product will be free or not although I am assuming it will be. I can´t describe what a huge mistake it would be if Microsoft decided to sell the program to their users as they would essentially be charging users to fix vulnerabilities in their Operating System which shouldn´t have been there in the first place! It would be a welcome advancement in the security technology of Windows if this program were bundled with new versions of Windows bought off the shelves and also made available as a free of charge download for existing users.

One other rumour floating around is that Microsoft is working on creating their very own Virus checker to bundle with Windows and whilst this would be another welcome inclusive feature I can imagine the storm that would go out with companies such as Symantec and Mcafee heard an alternative was being given to all Windows users free of charge. Such a development would in my opinion be the start another anti-trust suit against Microsoft as happened when they choose to bundle Internet Explorer free of charge with Windows which essentially put Netscape out of business.

To download AntiSpyware head to www.mcirosoft.com and click the Anti Spyware link of their homepage. The download is around six and a half megabytes in size which is fairly bloated when compared with the alternatives available but this is what we have surely all come to expect? The program is designed to be run on Windows 2000 and Windows XP and those of you with these Operating Systems who don´t already have an Anti-Spyware utility should certainly waste no time in downloading it.

Finally I would like to thank one of my more enthusiastic readers, Ian MacMillian who initially pointed out this new utility to me and suggested that I cover it in Click.

http://www.computerarticles.co.uk/Microsoft+Anti-Spyware+.html

Tips on Understanding the Dangers of Spyware and Adware

2007-11-06T02:50:00.000-08:00

Money is the very crux of adware and spyware. These pose several problems and are a security risk.

Adware is a program that displays advertisements on the computer whether you want them or not. They are not just connected to particular websites or free software but are programmed to start up whenever your computer is switched on.

Programs like Eudora mail client display advertisements in lieu of charging registration fees for use of software. It helps developers recover program development costs. Kazaa the file sharing application comes bundled with at least three ad-ware programs. Two of them serve ads to the desktop while another redirects the users browser to a search engine with advertiser sponsored web results. Well known ones are: BroadcastPC; Comet Cursor; GeoWhere; Network Essentials, 123 Messenger, Direct Revenue, and so on.

Unfortunately, other guises of adware are spyware and malware.

Spyware is a program code that relays information about you and your work without your permission or knowledge. Some just spy on you conveying your Internet habits to marketing companies, while others are thieves they access credit card information as well as other sensitive files. In plain terms, it is malicious software that can intercept or take control of a computers operation without user knowledge or consent. Termed as malware the redefinition of spyware, the programs can:

Steal personal information and the address book.
Flood the browser with pop-ups.
Spam the system.
Slow down programs and connection.
Hijack the browser and redirect the user to a con page.
Uses the computer as a server to broadcast porn.
Can cause a crash.

Spyware reaches a computer through innocent web pages, game demos, MP3 players, search tool bars, and other downloads like free software. It installs itself and leaves a mark on the windows registry. It can hog the computer resources such as memory and hard drive and cause a crash or lock up. Keystroke-logging spyware can steal passwords and credit card information for thieves.

To protect the files one has to:

Use anti adware and spyware programs. Examples: Spybot, Search and destroy, Pest Patrol, and Lavasofts Adware.
Keep windows as well as Internet explorer up-to-date by applying the latest security patches.
Maintain the security level of the Internet Explorer at medium. Users must not lower the security level.
Use firewalls and web proxies to block access to web sites known to carry spyware.
Install layered protection.
Update the antivirus program. An up-to-date program will stop spyware as well as Trojans.
Install a startup monitor to protect your system.
Never accept free as being free---check out free software and downloads, there will be a hidden surprise or catch.
Never download software from warez sites. Pirated software is always distributed along with adware and spyware.
Use Spy checker to determine if the download has spyware. This can be accessed from the free computer securities pages.

An anti-spyware coalition has been instituted by Microsoft, Earthlink, McAfee, and Hewlett-Packard. They are working towards anti-spyware legislation and putting protection systems in place. A survey shows that 87 percent of users know what spyware is and of this 40 percent through firsthand experience. Protect yourself and your work; keep your system free of adware and spyware.

Paul Wilson is a freelance writer for http://www.1888FreeOnlineGames.com

http://www.1888FreeOnlineGames.com/, the premier website to play thousands of free online games including arcade games, action games, card games, flash games, strategy games, puzzle games and more. He also freelances for http://www.1888SoftwareDownloads.com.

http://www.article-best.com/07/Internet-and-Businesses-Online/Security/20070818/102724.html

Review: Trend Micro Anti-Spyware for SMB

2007-11-06T02:48:00.000-08:00

According to our handy-dandy tech encyclopedia, spyware is software that sends information about your Web surfing habits to the purveyor's Web site. Spyware is often installed in your computer in combination with a free download you selected from the Web, often quickly and unobtrusively. Once installed, it transmits information by operating in the background as you move around the Web. Spyware is occasionally installed just by visiting a Web site, a technique usually called a "drive-by download".

That's a nice way of putting it. More realistically, spyware is an intrusive pain in the butt, a technique that attempts to inform marketers about what sort of advertising or product messages you're most vulnerable to. It also can be used to launch more insidious attacks, such as keyloggers that can steal passwords and other critical data, Trojans, and worms that can disable your security products.

In general, spyware drains company resources and productivity and can steal customer and business information. Even the concept of spyware is something that only Big Brother or Vance Packard (remember him?) would be proud of.

Get This Stuff Outta Here!

The question most of you probably ask is, what's the most effective way to get rid of the stuff? There are any number of spyware-fighting programs on the market, including products from Microsoft and most of the better-known security companies. But all of them have a flaw for companies of your size: You must install a copy on each computer in your network, an expensive and painful proposition.

Oh sure, there are enterprise versions of anti-spyware products, but they require heavy-duty network equipage, not to mention fat wallets. Those are things you probably don't have.

Trend Micro has seen the light, however, and produced a scaled-down version of its enterprise spyware-fighting product. Instead of operating in a network gateway, Trend Micro Anti-Spyware for SMB operates from any desktop on your network that has a Web browser, and that probably means all of them.

The product installs easily and can be distributed out across the PCs in your network, without you ever needing to leave your desk. If you don't have a server-based network, the installation is a bit complicated, but that's something Trend Micro promise it will fix very soon.

Once Anti-Spyware for SMB is installed, you can set a group of policies and a scan schedule for each PC in the network. You can also force a manual scan at any time, and call for removal of any spyware program at any time. And you can do it from any desktop in the network.

Cleaning House is Great Stuff

After I had it installed, I was pretty confident there wouldn't be much for Trend Micro Anti-Spyware for SMB to do on my own desktop PC; I had just cleared a bunch of problems away as part of a spring-cleaning routine. Wrong! The product found 17 lurking spyware programs, and since then, two to four new ones have popped up every 24 hours or so.

Fewer programs are showing up on other computers in my network, but that's because I go all over the place on the Internet, and drive-by downloads are pretty common these days. But the reason I know what is going on elsewhere is that I can look at other computers on the network and see just how much spyware has turned up there. Better yet, other people don't have to worry about spyware—it's handled.

Like all good security products that depend on program profiles or "signatures," Trend Micro Anti-Spyware for SMB gets regular updates of spyware profiles. You can adjust your policies so as not to use the newest profiles until you've had a chance to test them. I was surprised by that, but Trend Micro spokespeople said that enterprise customers like to test things before going into production. Whatever...

Meanwhile, if you want to try it out, Trend Micro offers a 30-day free trial of Anti-Spyware for SMB. For more information, visit the Trend Micro Anti-Spyware for SMB Web site .

http://calbears.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zd4438/is_200603/ai_n19409714

Some of the More Dangerous Spyware

2007-11-06T02:46:00.000-08:00

This is a gorilla that resides on-screen to help you search the Internet. In actuality, the software collects personal information about how you use your computer. It may also attempt to reset your home page to Bonzi.com. Most spyware software can remove the gorilla from your desktop but will not remove the software itself, thus continuing to allow degradation of computer performance. We suggest the manual removal method found at most spyware sites.

CometCursor

This is a particularly nasty piece of spyware that not only collects data about computer use, but shares information about your system with third parties. CometCursor is an ActiveX control, and, as such, can be downloaded and installed with almost any Internet based software. One of the major distributors of CometCursor is RealPlayer, among many others. You can tell if you are infected with this spyware if your cursor changes while you are online. Comet Cursor comes with its own uninstall program and that is the best way to rid yourself of this parasite.

CoolWebSearch

Resetting of the home page on your browser is the indicator that you may be infected by this spyware. It may also add sites to your Favorites folder. This spyware can install itself, usually through pop-up ads, making it difficult to avoid. The software will slow your browser down to a crawl, or, in some cases, prevent it from working at all. Most anti spyware programs can remove this virus.

Gator/Claria/Kazaa

You are most likely to acquire this spyware by installing freeware applications including Kazaa, and affiliates. If you become infected by this spyware, you will notice an increase in the number of pop-up windows occurring while suurfing the Internet, which is its primary function. Must spyware removal tools can eliminate this threat.

Hotbar/Huntbar/ISTBar

These are all downloadable toolbars that have very little actual function but change the appearance of your desktop slightly. These programs attempt to redirect your browser to windows and URLs other than the one you have actually requested. They will also have an adverse effect on browser speed and may even cause the browser to crash. Most paid spyware removal software can remove these toolbars, however, the current batch of free spyware removal tools has a hard time with their removal and may cause more harm than good.

Look2Me

This spyware tracks your online whereabouts and then places ads on your desktop. You acquire the software by downloading certain software, usually freeware, affiliated with the Look2Me network. This is a nasty piece of spyware as it stays out of sight and is hard to detect. Most spyware removal programs will not clean this software.

The above is by no means a comprehensive list of spyware software, but rather a small primer to help you avoid some of the pitfalls. As always, keep your Trojan and Virus software updated to help prevent any serious malicious code from executing.

If you feel you are infected and need help, please feel free to contact Internet Gateway at 717-731-9707 or by sending E-mail to support@igateway.com

http://techarticles.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2005/3/13/430556.html

Spyware Removals

2007-11-06T02:45:00.000-08:00

Spyware Removals can bring fear in just the thought of having the word Spyware associated with your PC. So, first lets not panic and second find a good Spyware Removal Tool if there is not one already inside your Computer. There are many programs out there designed to help protect you and your PC, one such Program is Spyware Doctor which the name itself tells you it will fix your PC the same as if you had Spyware in you and went to your doctor to get a Prescription. The main and biggest difference is where you might have to wait for the Medicine to work, however these tools work within minutes of starting their programs.

Pro's

The biggest Pro to Spyware Removal is that you can find one that works for you, and continues to work without your having to tell it too. Another Pro is something mentioned already and that is that the Spyware is Removed within minutes. There ratio between Spyware and Removal tools are astounding but the best part is that the geniuses who created these wonderful tools are constantly keeping an eye out and upgrading and adding to their programs all the time.

Cons

I am afraid to say that there are cons to this useful and I am sorry to say necessary part of your Computer Life, the bag guys, the ones who get kicks out of creating things like Spyware are working as hard as the good guys to keep a step ahead. Though unlike the Good Guys the Spyware Junkies are becoming more and more tenacious. Another Con is finding the right Spyware Removal Tool for you, there are many out that promise to do the job however they prey on normal people just like the Spyware attacks your PC.

User Ability

Well User Ability is a wide term and even wider subject when it comes to something like Spyware Removal. There are more discussions about what you can do and what you can use then there is Tools out there. The first and most controversial is "Does it Work?" well it depends on which one you choose and what it does. There are many available that does a numerous amount things to protect your PC all in one Program, and whether or not if they work? Well read articles and reviews about the Spyware Removal Tools you are looking into, see where they are rated and by whom. AS far as the Programs themselves, many just have a run feature, be it start, a play button, or automatically on their own. Making their ease of use top notch.

Safety and Security

When it comes to Safety the Removal Tools you use can be just as bad as the Spyware itself. Some promise to fix the problem and end causing more, while others just cannot do the job. The Security Side is easier to deal with, only a few of these ask for your email address and name when you go to download and none require more than the basic information when you install them, and a very few removes every key stroke to keep hackers from finding out your information.

Summary and Rating

After going over the options, the Pros and Cons, and just how easy these tools are to use, the words Spyware Removal is not so scary now, and being informed is always the best defense and offense you could ever ask for or need.

Rating can vary from one Product to another however after considering all the options out there against not doing anything at all, I give Spyware Removal Tools a large and heart stopping 10.

About Author :

Dee Owens writes articles and reviews for Software download sites. Follow the link to download your Freeware or Shareware spyware removal.

Anti Spyware Software

2007-11-06T02:43:00.002-08:00

To understand the basics of spyware and adware prevention, one must first understand what spyware and adware really is, how they work and how your system can get inffected by them. Today’s spyware is far more sophisticated and harmful than ever before. The spyware, not only monitors your Internet activity, but it can also subvert the computer’s operations for the benefits of a third party. There are spywares that can work as key loggers and intercept your credit card information. Some types of spyware can even rout off http requests and redirect your browser to advertising sites, by changing your home page for example.

Mostly, spyware is used to track your Internet activity, like which websites you visit, what you search for in the search engines, and passes that information to the author of the program. Such information can be really useful to marketing companies. Adware stands for advertising-supported software, which has the purpose of playing, displaying and downloading advertising material to the affected computer (the one that has the adware installed).

It’s time to do something about it. Get rid of all your spyware for good. Get your machine working the way it’s supposed to. Stop getting anymore infections and protect your online privacy.

The best way to clean your brand new x64 PC from spyware is to use anti-spyware software.

Here is a list of programs for 64-bit OSs:

Microsoft Windows Defender x64
AVG Anti-Spyware
Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.4
SpywareBlaster 3.5.1
McAfee AntiSpyware Enterprise

http://www.64xsoft.com/articles/2007/10/26/anti-spyware-software/

Adware and Spyware Software

2007-11-06T02:43:00.001-08:00

When you”re learning about something new, it’’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of relevant information available. This informative adware and spyware article should help you focus on the central points.

Adware is any software application software which makes banners appear the whole time it is in function. Also, the adware program can install components that will transmit information about the user and its behavior and this work on his PC. Unlike spyware programs, the user is asked when the program is being installed. Actually, an adware application is the application that, along with its basic functionality, has a different one, the one that makes it show commercials once in a while, downloaded periodically from certain internet servers.

Spyware is a program, usually downloaded from the internet, which sends information about the user without him knowing it, every time he connects to the internet. Usually, the packages sent contain marketing information and not confidential information, although some programs can do that too.

Even if some applications are both adware and spyware, this is not a generally true situation. Most of the times spyware applications have installed themselves and they are working without the user knowing it, opposing the adware applications that cannot be installed without the consent of the user.

For a long time quality and free software was installed and used for free but once the complexity of the programs became greater their costs have risen till the point the developers just had to find out methods to diminuate them. One of the easiest ways was delivering along with their programs application like adware and spyware. On the other hand, many commercial programs became usable freely and legally by passing the line to the adware category.

Hopefully the information presented so far has been applicable. You might also want to consider the following:

From the harmless intention of showing some commercials and till elements of analyzing and stocking information about the user and his software or hardware configuration the developers had to install on the target computer supplementary modules. If at the beginning it was only an engine that downloaded commercials and showed them in pre-calculated windows, the adware industry has evolved and grew a great bit since then. Now they use different instruments, from altering your browser and its settings and till launching background applications that monitor your PC activity.

Among the effects that follow installing spyware and adware are the next ones:

- Adding links to various magazines
- Adding new commercials on the web pages, sometimes replacing the existent ones
- Monitoring browser behavior in commercial purposes.
- Gaining access to passwords and credit cards.
- Slowing down the computer.
- In some cases they can call telephone numbers with high costs.
- Changing the browser’’s homepage in commercial purposes.
- Strange icons and new software might appear on the desktop.

You can enter their online sites and try the services for free, then decide what to use.

Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of adware and spyware. Share your new understanding about adware and spyware with others. They”ll thank you for it.

About The Author

About the Author:
Hans Hasselfors is the founder of http://www.SubmitYourNewArticle.com. You may find varied adware and spyware articles in our article directory.

The Spyware Revolution!

2007-11-06T02:41:00.000-08:00

Spyware Will Comprimise Your Online Security - Act Now Before It's Too Late!

2007-11-05T02:49:00.000-08:00

It’s amazing just how many computer users are blissfully unaware that there systems have been infected with Spyware. Perhaps more alarmingly is that your personal data could be being leaked to a third party right now as you read this article, and all without your knowledge or consent.

Spyware, in case you’re unfamiliar with the term is a nasty computer program deliberately written to spy on your Internet browsing habits, and in it’s worst disguise will render your Internet and sometimes your computer total useless. It’s almost certain, that if you download or install a lot of software from the Internet that your computer will be infected with Spyware of some form.

Take a look below for tell-tale possible symptoms of possible Spyware infections.

• Your computer runs extremely slowly.

• The Internet appears very slow.

• Your Browser keeps redirecting you to WebPages you didn’t request.

• You receive a lot of returned email from unknown addresses

• Your Homepage isn’t the Webpage you selected.

• Your financial security may have been recently comprised.

So how is Spyware able cause so much damage to your computer? Well, the short-term answer is because you actually install the software and thereby unknowingly give consent for the program to exist on your system. Spyware is normally amalgamated within a program that you intentionally download. Thereby, when you install your intended program you also install the Spyware program too.

Unfortunately, you cannot rely on your trusty Anti Virus Software to remove the Spyware either. Most AVS will simply move past these parasites and accept them as bonafide programs.

The good news is that there are programs available on the Internet that specifically target Spyware, and will in most cases remove it from your computer altogether. They work much like an Anti Virus program would, by scanning your hard drive for possible signs of infection, and then remove or quarantine any Spyware that’s discovered.

Even if you think your computer is running just fine, you’d be well advised to run a Spyware utility program anyway. In fact, you should place checking for Spyware as high a priority as you would for Virus scanning. The longer you leave your computer open to these forms of attacks without proper protection the greater the chances of your computer, and possibly your financial security being compromised.

Don’t delay; make sure you scan your computer for Spyware today!

About the Author:

View Author Profile »

For free information on spyware, including the best spyware removers to use. Make sure you visit http://www.spyware-removers.co.uk today! http://www.spyware-removers.co.uk for free information on removing spyware from your computer.

Why Spyware is so Dangerous

2007-11-05T02:46:00.000-08:00

Spyware is software that gets installed on your computer without your knowledge and sometimes is designed to record what you type on the keyboard and send to others. What makes spyware so dangerous is that it likes to collect personal information to include credit card numbers and passwords and send them elsewhere. The most dangerous spyware is of the type that records your keystrokes and sends the information to the interested parties. Think about it. If you use the Internet to pay bills, do banking, purchase items, or look up personal information then you will inevitably use keystrokes to direct the processes. You will use keystrokes to enter credit cards, passwords, birth dates, social security numbers and many more important data items that uniquely identify you as the owner of that information.

Now no one would put software on their computer if they knew it would steal their personal information and the makers of spyware know this and came up with a solution. Another characteristic that makes spyware so dangerous is the fact that it usually installs without the knowledge of the user. How does it do this? It usually gets installed as part of an installation of desirable software you are aware of installing. In other words, the spyware piggybacks off of a software product you willingly put on your system. Viruses can install spyware also.

There are many other characteristics of spyware that add to its danger. Some spyware opens remote access to a stranger to your computer. A stranger can actually control your computer from some other location and you would never know who. There is an especially dangerous sort of spyware known as a bot. Bots, once installed on your system, can be controlled via the Internet Relay Chat protocol or channel and can do things like start emailing viruses and spam to other users when it collects all email addresses found on your computer. Then the email recipient multiplies the problem when the same bot installs on the target computer and starts emailing spam and viruses as well. If you have virus protection that checks outgoing emails. This can get especially irritating if you have a bot on your system as the virus scanner will catch every outgoing mail with this virus and drag your system down in terms of performance. It is a good thing however if your antivirus software does catch it instead of allowing it to be spread.

Another characteristic of spyware that makes it so dangerous is the fact that it can significantly degrade the performance of your computer. All of that activity engaged in by the spyware program utilizes the resources of your computer. Just having a piece of software that is engaged in creating popup ads heavily consumes computer resources. Plus, these spyware programs are not models of high-performance software. These programs are typically written by hackers who have little or no knowledge of sound software design principles and can create software that performs very poorly by consuming too many system resources.

And to sum it up, spyware is an absolute nuisance. It just makes a computing experience dreadful. Get yourself some good tools to protect against it.

Article Source: http://www.articlebankonline.com

For more information on combating spyware and adware visit: www.spywareremovalsoft.com/

What Does Spyware And Adware Do To Your PC?

2007-11-05T02:45:00.001-08:00

Spyware is the name for applications which install themselves onto your computer (usually without your knowledge or consent), and then “record” information about your surfing habits, and possibly even login-details and passwords.

Why would anyone want to record your surfing habits? Usually it is to serve up advertising, such as pop-ups. Some spyware will even hi-jack your web browser and take you to websites you didn’t request. Others hi-jack your “home page” or “404 error” pages and bombard you with advertising.

Other times, spyware can be installed right under your nose. This is because some shareware/freeware programs also install spyware. They can legally do this by having a disclaimer in the license agreement, which you accept before you install the software.

But what can be done when you realize your computer is infected with Spyware?

Unfortunately, firewalls and anti-virus software won’t remove spyware. You need a program specifically designed to detect and remove spyware. You also need a spyware remover which is regularly updated to keep up with the newer spyware threats on the internet.

Something that is closely related to spyware is “adware”. Adware is a little different from spyware, as its main purpose is to serve up targeted advertising – whereas spyware tends to record information like the websites you visit and your shopping habits online.

A good anti-spyware remover will be able to detect and eliminate both spyware and adware. XoftSpySE is our highest recommended spyware remover – it is regularly updated and can detect both threats accurately.

A mean trick often played by the “spyware creators” is fake anti-spyware programs. These programs pretend to be spyware removers, but instead, they act as spyware themselves. Something similar to this is the banner ads you sometimes see which say “your pc is infected” type messages. These downloads are often spyware and adware, which can easily fool the beginner PC user – because the warnings may seem very authentic.

In conclusion, both spyware and adware invade your privacy as an internet user. But more than that, they can be very annoying – and make it very difficult to use the internet safely. Adware serves up constant advertising, and can hi-jack your web browser.

Spyware can even steal your passwords and sensitive details. So it’s important to use a spyware remover which can handle these problems.

http://www.spyware-remover-reviews.info/what-does-spyware-do.htm

Types Of Spyware You Could Have On Your PC

2007-11-05T02:43:00.000-08:00

Spyware and adware is a real threat to most internet users. Some studies have shown that over 60% of PC users have some form of spyware or adware on their computer without even knowing about it.

Spyware can come in many different forms, so knowing whether you’re infected or not can be difficult to know – especially if you’re not familiar with computers and the internet.

In this article, we will explain the dialers, toolbars, browser hi-jackers, and adware. These are the most common types of spyware you will come across on the internet.

One of the most annoying (and common) types of adware are “browser hi-jackers”. These adware applications basically take control of your internet browser in a variety of ways. One of the most common is to change your home page to a certain website without your consent. Often this website will also cause additional pop-ups to load on your screen.

Another type of browser hijack are toolbars. Some toolbars are perfectly safe and helpful. Yahoo and Google toolbars, for example, are completely fine.

But some adware programs will install very annoying toolbars which log the websites you visit, and create pop-ups related to the websites you visit. Some will even show pop-ups whenever you enter a query into a search engine.

Yet another type of spyware software which can infect your computer is “keyloggers”. These programs, as the name suggests, automatically log everything you type into your PC. The real danger of this becomes evident when you realize that you may regularly type in account user names, passwords, and even bank details of credit card details. The software then sends this information to a third party without you even knowing.

Another common type of spyware is the “dialer”. These programs will use your modem service to dial phone numbers (sometimes without you even being aware) and connect to other computers where you will be charged expensive rates per minute for the amount of time the dialer was connected. These dialers often connect to pornographic sites.

In conclusion, it should be a very high priority to make sure your internet usage is safe and secure. Many people have spyware on their PC without even realizing – which is why it’s a good idea to use a trusted anti-spyware application to detect any spyware you may already have running in the background of your PC.

http://www.spyware-remover-reviews.info/types-of-spyware.htm

How To Choose The Best Anti-Spyware Software For Your PC

2007-11-05T02:42:00.000-08:00

Nowadays, having good anti-spyware software installed on your PC is a must if you’re planning on using the internet. But there are so many different spyware removers on the market today that it can be difficult to choose the right one for you and your PC.

Some of the most important things you need to consider are the features that a good spyware remover must have, the ease of use of the program, the support behind the program, and making sure you avoid the “fake” anti-spyware programs which pose as trustworthy applications – only to steal your information behind your back.

In this article, we will go over the steps you should take to pick the best anti-spyware software for your PC.

Firstly, you need to make sure you choose a fully-featured spyware remover. Some of the crucial features are “auto updates”, which means the program will connect to the internet and download updates of the known spyware database. If you use one of the lesser known or free anti-spyware programs, then you run the risk of only being able to detect older spyware applications.

New and advanced spyware can easily slip by the defences of such programs.

Another important feature is an undo feature which can un-delete files which you need to keep, or extract information from, before you delete, such as freeware programs which you add information to.

Something else to consider is ease of use. Some programs are more intuitive than others, and if you have limited PC knowledge, then you will want something that isn’t complex to use. The easiest to use spyware remover we have reviewed is XoftSpySE.

Support is another important factor. You need regular updates to counter newer spyware, and you also need someone to contact if you have problems with your software. Many of the better anti-spyware programs have LiveChat support on their websites – which means you can talk to a real person through an instant-messaging interface.

Finally, you need to stick with the well known spyware removers. Because some of the lesser known spyware removers can actually be spyware or adware in disguise. These programs seem like the real thing – and they may even delete spyware. But the secretly log information without you knowing, or effect your web browsers.

In conclusion, finding the best anti-spyware software doesn’t need to be difficult. If you stick to the guidelines outlined in this article, then you will be able to find the right anti-spyware program for your needs.

http://www.spyware-remover-reviews.info/choosing-the-best-anti-spyware-software.htm

"Spyware Glossary"

2007-11-05T02:33:00.000-08:00

Access: The ability or the means necessary to read, write, modify, or communicate data/information. To gain entry to memory in order to read or write data. The entrance to the Internet or other online service or network.

Access control: A cohesive set of procedures (including management, technical, physical, and personnel procedures) that are designed to assure to a given level of reliability that an individual:

* is the person he or she claims to be (authentication),

* has a verified public health need to have access to surveillance systems and information,

* has been authorized to perform the action or access the data, and

* is doing so from an authorized place using an authorized process.

ACL: Short for AccessControl List, ACL is a listing that tells a computer operating system or other network devices what rights a user has to each item on a computer or network device.

Adware: 1) (ADvertisementWARE) Software that periodically pops up ads in a user's computer. Adware is considered spyware and is installed without the user's knowledge. It typically displays targeted ads based on words searched for on the Web or derived from the user's surfing habits that have been periodically sent in the background to a spyware Web server. 2) (AD supported softWARE) Software that is given away because it contains advertising messages.

Aggregated data: Information, usually summary statistics, that may be compiled from personal information, but is grouped in a manner to preclude the identification of individual cases. An example of properly aggregated data might be, ' Whiteacre County reported 1,234 cases of AIDS during 1997 among Hispanics.' An example of improperly aggregated data might be, ' Blackacre County reported 1,234 cases of AIDS during 1997 among Hispanics and 1 case among American Indians.'

Analysis data, datasets, or database: A dataset created by removing personal data (e.g., names, addresses, ZIP codes, and telephone numbers) so the record or records cannot be linked to an individual, but still allows the remaining data to be analyzed.

Antivirus program: A software program designed to protect a computer and/or network against computer viruses. When a virus is detected, the computer will generally prompt the user that a virus has been detected and recommend an action such as deleting the virus.

Authentication: Verifying the identity of a user who is logging onto a computer system or verifying the origin of a transmitted message. Authentication depends on four classes of data, generally summarized as 'what you know,' 'what you have,' 'what you are,' and 'what you do.'

Authorized access: As determined by the ORP or a designee, the permission granted to individuals to see full or partial HIV/AIDS surveillance information and data that potentially could be identifying or linked to an individual. The ORP or designee should make these determinations according to role-based (or need-to-know) responsibilities.

Authorized personnel: Those individuals employed by the program who, in order to carry out their assigned duties, have been granted access to confidential HIV/AIDS surveillance information. Authorized personnel must have a current, signed, approved, and binding nondisclosure agreement on file.

Availability: The accessibility of a system resource in a timely manner; for example, the measurement of a system's uptime. Availability is one of the six fundamental components of information security.

Biometrics: The biological identification of a person, which includes characteristics of structure and of action such as iris and retinal patterns, hand geometry, fingerprints, voice responses to challenges, and the dynamics of handwritten signatures. Biometrics are a more secure form of authentication than typing passwords or even using smart cards, which can be stolen; however, some forms have relatively high failure rates. Biometric authentication is often a secondary mechanism in two-factor authentication.

Biometric signature: The characteristics of a person's handwritten signature. The pen pressure and duration of the signing process, which is done on a digital-based pen tablet, is recorded as an algorithm that is compared against future signatures.

BIOS (basic input/output system): The built-in software that determines what a computer can do without accessing programs from a disk. On personal computers, the BIOS contains all the code required to control the keyboard, display screen, disk drives, serial communications, and a number of miscellaneous functions.

The BIOS is typically placed in a Read-Only Memory (ROM) chip that comes with the computer (it is often called a ROM BIOS). This ensures that the BIOS will always be available and will not be damaged by disk failures. It also makes it possible for a computer to boot itself. Because Random-Access Memory (RAM) is faster than ROM, many computer manufacturers design systems so that the BIOS is copied from ROM to RAM each time the computer is booted. This is known as shadowing. Many modern PCs have flash BIOS, which means that the BIOS has been recorded on a flash memory chip, which can be updated if necessary.

Breach: A breach is a condition of departure from established policies or procedures. A breach can only be understood in view of a written reference point that describes the desired condition and the link between that condition and the surveillance objectives associated with maintaining the condition. A breach is an infraction or violation of a standard, obligation, or law. A breach in data security would include any unauthorized use of data, even data without names. A breach, in its broadest sense, may be caused by an act of God, a person, or an application/system and may be malicious in nature or purely unintended. An example of a malicious breach would be if staff intentionally, but without authorization, released patient names to the public. An example of an unintended breach would be if completed HIV/AIDS case reports were inadvertently mailed to and read by an unauthorized individual. A breach does not necessarily mean that sensitive information was released to the public or that any one person was harmed. A minor infraction, like forgetting to lock a file drawer containing sensitive information (even if inside a secure area), constitutes a breach of security protocol as compared with a breach of confidentiality.

Other examples of possible breaches:

* A hacker gains access to an internal machine via the Internet or a dial-up connection.

* A trusted programmer introduces a program into the production environment that does not behave within expected limits.

* A technician creates a backdoor into the operation of a system, even for positive and beneficial reasons, that alters the information protection provided.

* After having been entered into a computerized file, confidential forms are left for removal in the standard paper waste process in an openly accessible location.

Breach of confidentiality: A security infraction that results in the release of private information with or without harm to one or more individuals.

Case-specific information: Any combination of data elements that could identify a person reported to the surveillance system. An example of case-specific information without a name might be, 'A woman with hemophilia from Whiteacre County was diagnosed with AIDS in 1997.'

Certificate: See Digital certificate.

Certification authority or certificate authority: An organization that issues digital certificates (digital IDs) and makes its public key widely available to its intended audience.

Checksum: A value used to ensure data are stored or transmitted without error. It is created by calculating the binary values in a block of data using some algorithm and storing the results with the data. When the data are retrieved from memory or received at the other end of a network, a new checksum is computed and matched against the existing checksum. A nonmatch indicates an error. Just as a check digit tests the accuracy of a single number, a checksum tests a block of data. Checksums detect single bit errors and some multiple bit errors, but are not as effective as the Classes, Responsibilities, and Collaborations (CRC) design method. Checksums are also used by the Sophos antivirus software to determine if a file has changed since the last time it was scanned for a virus.

Ciphertext: Data that have been coded (enciphered, encrypted, encoded) for security purposes. Contrast with plaintext and cleartext.

CISSP: The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam is designed to ensure that someone handling computer security for an organization or client has mastered a standardized body of knowledge. The certification was developed and is maintained by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC²). The exam certifies security professionals in 10 different areas:

* Access control systems and methodology

* Application and systems development security

* Business continuity planning & disaster recovery planning

* Cryptography

* Law, investigation, and ethics

* Operations security

* Physical security

* Security architecture and models

* Security management practices

* Telecommunications and networking security

Cleartext: Same as plaintext.

Confidential information: Any information about an identifiable person or establishment, when the person or establishment providing the data or described in it has not given consent to make that information public and was assured confidentiality when the information was provided.

Confidentiality: The protection of private information collected by the surveillance system.

Confidential record: A record containing private information about an individual or establishment.

Cookies: Data created by a Web server that are stored on a user's computer either temporarily for that session only or permanently on the hard disk (persistent cookie). Cookies provide a way for the Web site to identify users and keep track of their preferences. They are commonly used to maintain the state of the session. The cookies contain a range of Uniform Resource Locators (URLs, or addresses) for which they are valid. When the Web browser or other Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) application sends a request to a Web server with those URLs again, it also sends along the related cookies. For example, if the user ID and password are stored in a cookie, it saves the user from typing in the same information all over again when accessing that service the next time. By retaining user history, cookies allow the Web site to tailor the pages and create a custom experience for that individual. A lot of personal data reside in the cookie files on the computer. As a result, this storehouse of private information is sometimes the object of attack. A browser can be configured to prevent cookies, but turning them off entirely can limit the Web features. Browser settings typically default to allowing first party cookies, which are generally safe because they are only sent back to the Web site that created them. Third party cookies are risky because they are sent back to sites other than the one that created them. To change settings, look for the cookie options in the Options or Preferences menu within the browser.

Cookie poisoning: The modification of or theft of a cookie in a user's machine by an attacker in order to release personal information. Cookies that log onto password-protected Web sites automatically send username and password. Thieves can thus use their own computers and confiscated cookies to enter victims' accounts.

Cryptography: The conversion of data into a secret code for transmission over a public network. The original text or plaintext is converted into a coded equivalent called ciphertext via an encryption algorithm. The ciphertext is decoded (decrypted) at the receiving end and turned back into plaintext. The encryption algorithm uses a key, which is a binary number that is typically from 40 to 256 bits in length. The greater the number of bits in the key (cipher strength), the more possible key combinations and the longer it would take to break the code. The data are encrypted or locked by combining the bits in the key mathematically with the data bits. At the receiving end, the key is used to unlock the code and restore the original data.

Cryptographic key: A numeric code that is used to encrypt text for security purposes.

Data stewards: Refers to individuals responsible for the creation of the data used or stored in organizational computer systems. The data steward determines the appropriate sensitivity and classification level and reviews that level regularly for appropriateness. The data stewards have final responsibility for protecting the information assets and are responsible for ensuring the information assets under their control adhere to local policies. The data steward is one or more of the following:

* The creator of the information

* The manager of the creator of the information

* The receiver of external information

* The manager of the receiver of the external information

Data user: Anyone who routinely uses the data. Data users are responsible for following operating procedures, taking due care to protect information assets they use, and using computing resources of the department for department purposes only.

Denial of service (DoS): A DoS attack is a form of attacking another computer or organization by sending millions or more requests every second causing the network to slow down, cause errors, or shut down. Because it is difficult for a single individual to generate a DoS attack, these forms of attacks are often created by another organization and/or worms that in turn create zombie computers to create a DoS attack.

DES (Data Encryption Standard): An algorithm that encrypts and decrypts data in 64-bit blocks, using a 64-bit key (although the effective key strength is only 56 bits). It takes a 64-bit block of plaintext as input and outputs a 64-bit block of ciphertext. Since it always operates on blocks of equal size and it uses both permutations and substitutions in the algorithm, DES is both a block cipher and a product cipher.

Digital certificate: The digital equivalent of an ID card used in conjunction with a public key encryption system. Also called digital IDs, digital certificates are issued by a trusted third party known as a certification authority or certificate authority (CA) such as VeriSign, Inc. (www.verisign.com). The CA verifies that a public key belongs to a specific organization or individual, and the certification process varies depending on the level of certification and the CA itself. Driver's licenses, notarization, and fingerprints are types of documentation that may be used. The digital certificate typically uses the X.509 file format and contains CA and user information, including the user's public key (details below). The CA signs the certificate by creating a digest, or hash, of all the fields in the certificate and encrypting the hash value with its private key. The signature is placed in the certificate. The process of verifying the signed certificate is done by the recipient's software such as a Web browser or e-mail program. The software uses the widely known public key of the CA to decrypt the signature back into the hash value. If the decryption is successful, the identity of the user is verified. The software then recomputes the hash from the raw data (cleartext) in the certificate and matches it against the decrypted hash. If they match, the integrity of the certificate is verified (it was not tampered with). A signed certificate (the digital certificate) is typically combined with a signed message, in which case the signature in the certificate verifies the identity of the user while the signature in the message verifies the integrity of the message contents. The fact that the message is encrypted ensures privacy of the content. The CA keeps its private key very secure, because if it were ever discovered, false certificates could be created.

Digital signature: A digital guarantee that a file has not been altered, as if it were carried in an electronically sealed envelope. The signature is an encrypted digest (one-way hash function) of the text message, executable or other file. The recipient decrypts the digest that was sent and recomputes the digest from the received file. If the digest matches the file, it is proven to be intact and tamper free as received from the sender.

Disaster recovery: A plan for duplicating computer operations after a catastrophe occurs, such as a fire or earthquake. It includes routine off-site backup as well as a procedure for activating necessary information systems in a new location. The ability to recover information systems quickly after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 proved the value of disaster recovery. Many companies that had programs in place were up and running within a few days in new locations. Companies that did not have disaster recovery systems in place have had the most difficulty recreating their information infrastructure.

Distributed denial of service: On the Internet, a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack is one in which a multitude of compromised systems attack a single target, thereby causing denial of service for users of the targeted system. The flood of incoming messages to the target system essentially forces it to shut down, thereby denying service to the system to legitimate users. A hacker (or cracker) begins a DDoS attack by exploiting vulnerabilities in one computer system and making it the DDoS master. It is from the master system that the intruder identifies and communicates with other systems that can be compromised. The intruder loads cracking tools available on the Internet on multiple (sometimes thousands of) compromised systems. With a single command, the intruder instructs the controlled machines to launch one of many flood attacks against a specified target. The inundation of packets to the target causes a denial of service. While the press tends to focus on the target of DDoS attacks as the victim, in reality there are many victims in a DDoS attack including the final target and the systems controlled by the intruder.

Encryption: Encryption is defined as the manipulation or encoding of information so that only parties intended to view the information can do so. There are many ways to encrypt information, and the most commonly available systems involve public key and symmetric key cryptography. A public key system uses a mathematically paired set of keys, a public key and a private key. Information encrypted with a public key can only be decrypted with the corresponding private key, and vice versa. Therefore, you can safely publish the public key, allowing anyone to encrypt a message that can be read only by the holder of the private key. Presuming that the private key is known to only one authorized individual, the message is then accessible only to that one individual. A symmetric key system is based on a single private key that is shared between parties. Symmetric systems require that keys be transmitted and held securely in order to be effective, but are considered to be highly effective when the procedures are good and the number of individuals who possess the key is small. In general, under both systems, the larger the key, the more robust the protection.

Encrypting File System (EFS): A feature of the Windows 2000 operating system (and later) that lets any file or folder be stored in encrypted form and decrypted only by an individual user and an authorized recovery agent. EFS is especially useful for mobile computer users, whose computer (and files) are subject to physical theft, and for storing highly sensitive data.

FAT32 (File Allocation Table): The method that the operating systems use to keep track of files and to help the computer locate them on the disk. Even if a file is fragmented (split up into various areas on the disk), the file allocation table still can keep track of it. FAT32 is an improvement to the original FAT system, since it uses more bits to identify each cluster on the disk. This helps the computer locate files easier and allows for smaller clusters, which improves the efficiency of the hard disk. FAT32 supports up to two terabytes of hard disk storage.

Firewall: A method for implementing security policies designed to keep a network secure from intruders. It can be a single router that filters out unwanted packets or may comprise a combination of routers and servers each performing some type of firewall processing. Firewalls are widely used to give users secure access to the Internet as well as to separate an organization's public Web server from its internal network. Firewalls are also used to keep internal network segments secure; for example, the accounting network might be vulnerable to snooping from within the enterprise. In practice, many firewalls have default settings that provide little or no security unless specific policies are implemented by trained personnel. Firewalls installed to protect entire networks are typically implemented in hardware; however, software firewalls are also available to protect individual workstations from attack. While much effort has been made excluding unwanted input to the internal network, less attention has been paid to monitoring what goes out. Spyware is an application that keeps track of a user's Internet browsing habits and sends those statistics to a Web site.

The following are some of the techniques used in combination to provide firewall protection:

* Network Address Translation (NAT): Allows one Internet Protocol (IP) address, which is shown to the outside world, to refer to many IP addresses internally, one on each client station. Performs the translation back and forth. NAT is found in routers and is built into Windows Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).

* Packet Filter: Blocks traffic based on a specific Web address (IP address) or type of application (e-mail, File Transfer Protocol [FTP], Web, etc.), which is specified by port number. Packet filtering is typically done in a router, which is known as a screening router.

* Proxy Server: Serves as a relay between two networks, breaking the connection between the two. Also typically caches Web pages.

* Stateful Inspection: Tracks the transaction to ensure that inbound packets were requested by the user. Generally can examine multiple layers of the protocol stack, including the data, if required, so blocking can be made at any layer or depth.

IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force): The body that defines standard Internet operating protocols such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The IETF is supervised by the Internet Society Internet Architecture Board (IAB). IETF members are drawn from the Internet Society's individual and organization membership. Standards are expressed in the form of Requests for Comments (RFC).

Information security: The protection of data against unauthorized access. Programs and data can be secured by issuing identification numbers and passwords to authorized users. However, systems programmers or other technically competent individuals will ultimately have access to these codes. In addition, the password only validates that a correct number has been entered, not that it is the actual person. Using biometric techniques (fingerprints, eyes, voice, etc.) is a more secure method. Passwords can be checked by the operating system to prevent logging in. Database management system (DBMS) software prevents unauthorized access by assigning each user an individual view of the database. Data transmitted over networks can be secured by encryption to prevent eavesdropping. Although precautions can be taken to detect an unauthorized user, it is extremely difficult to determine if a valid user is purposefully doing something malicious. Someone may have valid access to an account for updating, but determining whether phony numbers are entered requires more processing. The bottom line is that effective security measures are always a balance between technology and personnel management.

IPSec (Internet Protocol Security): A security protocol from the IETF that provides authentication and encryption over the Internet. Unlike Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), which provides services at layer 4 and secures two applications, IPSec works at layer 3 and secures everything in the network. Also unlike SSL, which is typically built into the Web browser, IPSec requires a client installation. IPSec can access both Web and non-Web applications, whereas SSL requires a work around for non-Web access such as file sharing and backup. IPSec is supported by IPv6. Since IPSec was designed for the IP protocol, it has wide industry support and is expected to become the standard for virtual private networks (VPNs) on the Internet.

Kerberos: A security system developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that authenticates users. It does not provide authorization to services or databases; it establishes identity at logon, which is used throughout the session.

Key: See Cryptographic key.

Keystroke logger: A program or hardware device that captures every key depression on the computer. Also known as keystroke cops, they are used to monitor an employee's activities by recording every keystroke the user makes, including typos, backspacing, and retyping.

LAN (Local Area Network): Any computer network technology that operates at high speed over short distances (up to a few thousand meters). A LAN may refer to a network in a given department or within a given firm or campus. It differs from computer networks that cross wider geographic spaces such as those networks on a wide area network (WAN). A LAN does not use the public arteries of the Internet like intranets and virtual private networks.

Management controls: Controls that include policies for operating information technology resources and for authorizing the capture, processing, storage, and transmission of various types of information. They also may include training of staff, oversight, and appropriate and vigorous response to infractions.

Need-to-know access: Under exceptional circumstances that are not stipulated in program policies, the case-by-case granting or denying of authorized access to case-specific information. This type of access is not routine; but rather it is for unusual situations and occurs only after careful deliberation by the ORP in concurrence with other public health professionals.

NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology): Located in Washington, DC, it is the standards-defining agency of the U.S. government; formerly, the National Bureau of Standards. See http://www.nist.gov.link to non-CDC web site

Nonpublic health uses of surveillance data: The release of data that are either directly or indirectly identifying to the public; to parties involved in civil, criminal, or administrative litigation; to nonpublic health agencies of the federal, state, or local government; or for commercial uses.

NTFS (NT File System): One of the file systems for the Windows NT operating system (and later). Windows NT also supports the FAT file system. NTFS has features to improve reliability, such as transaction logs to help recover from disk failures. To control access to files, you can set permissions for directories and/or individual files. NTFS files are not accessible from other operating systems such as DOS. For large applications, NTFS supports spanning volumes, which means files and directories can be spread out across several physical disks.

Overall Responsible Party (ORP): The official who accepts overall responsibility for implementing and enforcing these security standards and who may be liable for breach of confidentiality. The ORP should be a high-ranking public health official, for example, the division director or department chief over HIV/AIDS surveillance. This official should have the authority to make decisions about surveillance operations that may affect programs outside the HIV/AIDS surveillance unit and should serve as one of the contacts for public health professionals and the HIV-affected community on policies and practices associated with HIV/AIDS surveillance. The ORP is responsible for protecting HIV/AIDS surveillance data as they are collected, stored, analyzed, and released and must certify annually that all security program requirements are being met. The state's security policy must indicate the ORP by name.

Patch management: The installation of patches from a software vendor onto an organization's computers. Patching thousands of PCs and servers is a major issue. A patch should be applied to test machines first before deployment, and the testing environments must represent all the users' PCs with their unique mix of installed software.

Personal identifier: A datum, or collection of data, that allows the possessor to determine the identity of a single individual with a specified degree of certainty. A personal identifier may permit the identification of an individual within a given database. Bits of study data, when taken together, may be used to identify an individual. Therefore, when assembling or releasing databases, it is important to be clear which fields, either alone or in combination, could be used to such ends, and which controls provide an acceptable level of security.

Personnel controls: Staff member controls such as training, separation of duties, background checks of individuals, etc. Compare to physical and technical access controls.

PHIN MS (Public Health Information Network Messaging System): A generic, standards-based, interoperable, and extensible message transport system. It is platform-independent and loosely coupled with systems that produce outgoing messages or consume incoming messages.

Physical access controls: Controls involving barriers, such as locked doors, sealed windows, password-protected keyboards, entry logs, guards, etc. Compare to personnel and technical access controls.

PKI (Public Key Infrastructure): A secure method for exchanging information within an organization, an industry, a nation, or worldwide. A PKI uses the asymmetric encryption method (also known as the public/private key method) for encrypting IDs and documents/messages. Also, see Cryptography. It starts with the certificate authority (CA), which issues digital certificates (digital IDs) that authenticate the identity of people and organizations over a public system such as the Internet. The PKI can also be implemented by an enterprise for internal use to authenticate users that handle sensitive information. In this case, the enterprise is its own CA. The PKI also establishes the encryption algorithms, levels of security, and distribution policy to users. It not only deals with signed certificates for identity authentication, but also with signed messages, which ensures the integrity of the message so the recipient knows it has not been tampered with. The PKI also embraces all the software (browsers, e-mail programs, etc.) that supports the process by examining and validating the certificates and signed messages.

Plaintext: Normal text that has not been encrypted and is readable by text editors and word processors. Contrast with ciphertext.

Private key: The private part of a two part, public key cryptography system. The private key is kept secret and never transmitted over a network.

Public key: The published part of a two part, public key cryptography system. The private part is known only to the owner.

Quality improvement: Activities to enhance the performance level of a process. Quality improvement efforts involve measurement of the current level of performance, development of methods to raise that level, and implementation of those methods.

RAM (Random-Access Memory): A type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type of memory found in computers and other devices, such as printers. There are two basic types of RAM, dynamic RAM (DRAM) and static RAM (SRAM).

The two types differ in the technology they use to hold data, dynamic RAM being the more common type. Dynamic RAM needs to be refreshed thousands of times per second. Static RAM does not need to be refreshed, which makes it faster; but it is also more expensive than dynamic RAM. Both types of RAM are volatile, meaning that they lose their contents when the power is turned off.

Records retention policy: Assigning a length of time and date to paper or electronic records to establish when they should be archived or destroyed.

Risk: In the context of system security, the likelihood that a specific threat will exploit certain vulnerabilities and the resulting effect of that event. A thorough and accurate risk analysis would consider all relevant losses that might be expected if security measures were not in place. Relevant losses can include losses caused by unauthorized uses and disclosures and loss of data integrity that would be expected to occur absent the security measures. One of the reasonable risks that are identifiable is that someone could inadvertently or purposely make an unauthorized change to data that could affect patient care. Another reasonable integrity risk is that data may be lost or modified in transmission. Software bugs, viruses and worms, hardware malfunctions, and natural disasters such as fire or flood also can compromise data integrity.

Risk management: The optimal allocation of resources to arrive at a cost-effective investment in defensive measures for minimizing both risk and costs in a particular organization.

Role-based access: Access to specific information or data granted or denied by the ORP depending on the user's job status or authority. Roles typically group users by their work function. This control mechanism protects data and system integrity by preventing access to unauthorized applications. In addition, defining access based on roles within an organization, rather than by individual users, simplifies an organization's security policy and procedures. Compare to need-to-know access.

ROM (Read-Only Memory): Computer memory on which data have been prerecorded. Once data have been written onto a ROM chip, they cannot be removed and can only be read. Unlike main memory (RAM), ROM retains its contents even when the computer is turned off. ROM is referred to as being nonvolatile, whereas RAM is volatile.

Most personal computers contain a small amount of ROM that stores critical programs such as the program that boots the computer. In addition, ROM is used extensively in calculators and peripheral devices such as laser printers, whose fonts are often stored in ROM. A variation of a ROM is a PROM (programmable read-only memory). PROMs are manufactured as blank chips on which data can be written with a special device called a PROM programmer.

RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman): A highly secure cryptography method by RSA Security, Inc., Bedford, MA (www.rsa.com). It uses a two part key. The private key is kept by the owner; the public key is published.

Data are encrypted by using the recipient's public key, which can only be decrypted by the recipient's private key. RSA is very computation intensive; thus it is often used to create a digital envelope, which holds an RSA-encrypted DES key and DES-encrypted data. This method encrypts the secret DES key so that it can be transmitted over the network, but encrypts and decrypts the actual message using the much faster DES algorithm.

RSA is also used for authentication by creating a digital signature. In this case, the sender's private key is used for encryption, and the sender's public key is used for decryption. See Digital signature.

The RSA algorithm is also implemented in hardware. As RSA chips get faster, RSA encoding and decoding add less overhead to the operation.

Sanitize: Also known as disk wiping, sanitizing is the act of destroying the deleted information on a hard disk or floppy disk to ensure that all traces of the deleted files are unrecoverable. Software programs that can successfully sanitize a diskette are available.

Script kiddie: A person who uses scripts and programs developed by others for the purpose of compromising computer accounts and files, and launching attacks on whole computer systems; in general, these persons do not have the ability to write said programs on their own. Normally, this person is someone who is not technologically sophisticated and who randomly seeks out a specific weakness over the Internet to gain root access to a system without really understanding what is being exploited because the weakness was discovered by someone else. A script kiddie is not looking to target specific information or a specific organization, but rather uses knowledge of a vulnerability to scan the entire Internet for a victim that possesses that vulnerability.

Secret key cryptography: Using the same secret key to encrypt and decrypt messages. The problem with this method is transmitting the secret key to a legitimate person who needs it.

Secured area: The physical confinement limiting where confidential HIV/AIDS surveillance data are available. Only authorized staff have access to this area. The secured area usually is defined by hard, floor-to-ceiling walls with a locking door and may include other measures (e.g., alarms, security personnel).

Security: The protection of surveillance data and information systems, with the purposes of

* preventing unauthorized release of identifying surveillance information or data from the systems (e.g., preventing a breach of confidentiality) and

* protecting the integrity of the data by preventing accidental data loss or damage to the systems.

Security includes measures to detect, document, and counter threats to the confidentiality or integrity of the systems.

Server farm: A group of network servers that are housed in one location. A server farm provides bulk computing for specific applications such as Web site hosting; in contrast, although a data center has many servers, it also has people. In a server farm, a user would generally only see a technician when an installation or a repair was performed; whereas in the data center, operators would be sitting at consoles, putting paper in printers, and possibly moving disks and tapes from one place to another. A server farm is typically a room with dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of rack-mounted servers humming away. They might all run the same operating system and applications and use load balancing to distribute the workload between them.

Smart cards: A credit card sized card with a built-in microprocessor and memory used for identification or financial transactions. When inserted into a reader, it transfers data to and from a central computer. It is more secure than a magnetic stripe card and can be programmed to self-destruct if the wrong password is entered too many times. As a financial transaction card, it can be loaded with digital money and used like a travelers check, except that variable amounts of money can be spent until the balance is zero.

Spyware: Software that sends information about Web surfing habits to its Web site. Often quickly installed on a computer in combination with a free download purposefully selected from the Web, spyware (also known as parasite software or scumware) transmits information in the background as a user moves around the Web.

The license agreement may or may not clearly indicate what the software does. It may state that the program performs anonymous profiling, which means that a user's browsing habits are being recorded. Such software is used to create marketing profiles. For example, a person who accesses Web site A, often accesses Web site B and so on. Spyware can be clever enough to deliver competing products in real time. For example, if a user accesses a Web page to look for a minivan, an advertisement for a competitor's minivan might pop up.

Spyware organizations argue that as long as they are not recording names and personal data, but treat the user as a numbered individual who has certain preferences, they are not violating a person's right to privacy. Nevertheless, many feel their privacy has been violated. The bottom line is that once users detect a spyware program in their computer, it can be eliminated, albeit sometimes with much difficulty. The downside is that people can become suspect of every piece of software they install.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): The leading security protocol on the Internet. When an SSL session is started, the server sends its public key to the browser, which the browser uses to send a randomly generated secret key back to the server in order to have a secret key exchange for that session. Developed by Netscape, SSL has been merged with other protocols and authentication methods by the IETF into a new protocol known as Transport Layer Security (TLS).

Super user: Someone with the highest level of user privilege who can allow unlimited access to a system's file and setup. Usually, super user is the highest level of privilege for applications, as opposed to operating or network systems. A super user could destroy the organization's systems maliciously or simply by accident.

Surveillance: The ongoing and systematic collection (paper or electronically), analysis, and interpretation of health data in the process of describing and monitoring a health event. This information is used for planning, implementing, and evaluating public health interventions.

Surveillance data: Statistics generated from disease surveillance in either paper or electronic format.

Surveillance information: Details collected on an individual or individuals for completing routine or special surveillance investigations. Examples of HIV/AIDS surveillance information are the HIV/AIDS report forms, ancillary notes about risk investigations and related questionnaires, notes about suspect cases, laboratory reports, ICD9/10 line lists, discharge summaries, death certificates, and drug data stores.

Symmetric encryption: Same as secret key cryptography.

Technical access controls: Controls involving technology, such as requirements for password use and change, audit of the electronic environment, access to data controlled through known software tools, and control over introduction of changes to the information technology environment (hardware, software, utilities, etc.). Compare to personnel and physical access controls.

Trojan horse: A program that appears legitimate, but performs some illicit activity when it is run. It may be used to locate password information, make the system more vulnerable to future entry, or simply destroy programs or data on the hard disk. A Trojan horse is similar to a virus, except that it does not replicate itself. It stays in the computer doing its damage or allowing somebody from a remote site to take control of the computer. Trojans often sneak in attached to a free game or other utility.

Two-factor authentication: The use of two independent mechanisms for authentication; for example, requiring a smart card and a password. The combination is less likely to allow abuse than either component alone.

Virus: Software program first written by Fred Cohen in 1983, and later coined in a 1984 research paper. A virus is a software program, script, or macro that has been designed to infect, destroy, modify, or cause other problems with a computer or software program. Installing an antivirus protection program can help prevent viruses.

VPN (Virtual Private Networks): A network that is connected to the Internet, but uses encryption to scramble all the data sent through the Internet so the entire network is "virtually" private.

Vulnerability: A security exposure in an operating system or other system software or application software component. Security firms maintain databases of vulnerabilities based on version number of the software. Any vulnerability can potentially compromise the system or network if exploited. For a database of common vulnerabilities and exposures, visit http://icat.nist.gov/icat.cfmlink to non-CDC web site

WAN (Wide Area Network): A network of computers that can span hundreds or thousands of miles. Unlike intranets and virtual private networks, a WAN does not use public Internet arteries and is isolated from the public domain.

Zombie: A computer system that has been covertly taken over to transmit phony messages that slow down service and disrupt the network. A pulsing zombie sends bogus messages in periodic bursts rather than continuously.

http://www.spywareisreal.com/spyware_glossary.html

Spyware and Microsoft Windows

2007-11-03T03:57:00.000-07:00

The largest target of spyware is without a doubt Microsoft's Internet Explorer. It is the most widely used web browser and it has a long history of weak security. Its deeply integrated into the Windows operating system and its scriptability make it very susceptible to intrusion by malicious software. Browser helper objects can easily attach to Internet Explorer. These helper objects redirect traffic and add toolbars.

The most common cause for users of the Microsoft Windows operating system to seek technical support from internet service providers or computer manufacturers is the infestation of spyware. In most cases the user has no comprehension of spyware and thinks that the system’s stability, performance, and/or connectivity issues relate to Microsoft Windows, hardware, or to a virus. Occasionally, owners of seriously infected systems end up purchasing an entire new computer system because their existing system "has become too unreliable or slow". Extremely infected systems sometimes require a clean re-install of all their software to allow the system to function properly. This is a highly time-consuming chore, even for accomplished users.

Normally, a single piece of spyware does not make a computer unusable. However, an infected computer almost always has more than one piece of spyware installed. AOL did a study in 2004 and concluded that if a computer has any spyware at all, it will be infected by dozens of different pieces. Its the cumulative effect of the different spyware components that cause the problems reported by users. The computer slows down to a crawl, overpowered by the many power-draining processes running on it. Similar to an immune deficiency disease, some kinds of spyware disarms anti-virus software and firewalls, and/or lowers browser security settings, which subjects the system to additional infections. In addition, there have been cases where a spyware program has disabled a competitor’s spyware program already installed on the computer.

There are some forms of spyware that modify system files to make themselves very difficult to remove. For example, Targetsoft changes the "Winsock" Windows Sockets files. Removing the spyware infected file "inetadpt.dll" will interfere with networking usage. For the sake of convenience, a Windows user generally has administrative-level system privileges. Because of this, any program which the user runs, intentionally or not, will have full access to the entire system. Spyware, along with other various dangers, has caused some Windows users to change to other platforms such as Apple Macintosh or Linux, which are less frequently targeted by spyware authors.

The most common complaints about spyware are Pop-up advertisements. Displaying and/or downloading ads can overwhelm a system. Its very rare for an infected system to have only one spyware program running. More typically, the system will be infected by dozens of applications. So, while one of the programs may display ads infrequently,the cumulative effect on the system can become overwhelming.

Most web users dislike offensive or irritating advertisements. Just like banner
ads, some spyware advertisements use flickering banners or animation designed to get the user’s attention — because of this they are very distracting. Pornography Pop-up ads often display indiscriminately, this even includes when children may be using the computer which is in violation of many anti-pornography laws.

Leif Wheeler began marketing on the internet in 1992 and he retired in 2004.
Leif’s internet-time is now spent researching and writing articles that improve everyone’s internet experience.
Benefit from Leif’s vast experience at http://www.leifwheeler.com.

http://www.iwebtool.com/articles/view_10760.html

Spyware removal tools stop snoopers

2007-11-03T03:53:00.000-07:00

Each day companies are faced with increasingly sophisticated attacks on privacy and security that evade traditional firewalls and are immune to anti-virus technology The most threatening and rapidly growing attacks come in the form of spyware. Spyware is any software surreptitiously installed on a system that can monitor and record aspects of the system and broadcast this information back to a third party

Staying one step ahead of spyware creators requires a dedicated removal tool. Anti-spyware utilities are pattern-based, adaptive programs that scan systems to find and remove Trojans, key loggers, dialers, adware and cookies.

In many ways anti-spyware tools look like anti-virus software in a network. They use clients, an anti-spyware server and an administration console. Because spyware changes on a daily basis, automatic spyware-definition updates from vendors are critical. Updates are pulled from an anti-spyware server via the Internet and pushed to clients using a centralized control panel.

The most sophisticated anti-spyware vendor research labs will generate long lists of characteristics that tell users what spyware resides on a machine, where it is located and what it is doing. Anti-spyware programs rely on these characteristics lists and use them to remove Windows registry entries, individual files and, in some cases, entire spyware directories from a hard drive.

Spyware generally installs an executable along with other files in various locations throughout an operating system. These files are called spyware traces. Removing spyware without a dedicated anti-spyware tool leaves a trace. Moreover, elementary spyware-removal utilities simply remove the traces, which might stop the symptoms but don't get to the root of the problem.

But unlike typical viruses, not all spyware should be automatically removed. As such, administrators need to define user profiles based on programs their users need.

For example, RemEye is a console application that installs a WinVNC server. It is often employed as an easy-to-use installer and can be a good administration tool. But because it installs with a default password of "abcd," it also makes an excellent Trojan horse. Many pieces of spyware also are linked to legitimate applications and are required for those applications to function.

Sophisticated anti-spyware tools will not only find all trace files associated with a spy, but also offer a comprehensive database of spyware descriptions detailing the characteristics and threat-level associated with each spy found. An up-to-date database is essential to help administrators develop anti-spyware user profiles.

Once user profiles have been created, removing spyware is a straightforward process. In a typical removal scenario, a client is infected with a piece of spyware, and once a scheduled scan is run, the anti-spyware application finds and quarantines (disables) the spy based on the user profile. At this point, the spy can be permanently removed or reinstalled.

Spyware is changing on a weekly and sometimes even daily basis. Some types of spyware now can shoot back when fired on in an attempt to remove anti-spyware utilities. In other cases, spyware changes names and jump from one location to another when it realizes it has been detected and is about to be destroyed.

As a result, the anti-spyware strategies that worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. The rapid metamorphosis points to the need for an automated update system, as well as a dedicated anti-spyware program that has the ability to adapt as it encounters new spyware patterns.

However IT professionals choose to address the issue, spyware in corporate environments pose a significant threat to worker productivity, and network and data security Anti-spyware protection can augment corporate privacy and security efforts, and is becoming a necessary part of doing business in today's Internet-enabled world.

Koontz is vice president of software development for Webroot Software. He can be reached at rkoontz@webroot.com.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3649/is_200309/ai_n9343757

Spyware Meets Its Match -- Almost

2007-11-03T03:48:00.000-07:00

Spyware is here with a vengeance. A recent study by research firm IDC revealed that more than two-thirds of the world's workplace computers are infected with some form of spyware or malware. This translates into untold hours of frustration, lost productivity and serious security risks.

In fact, the 600 global organizations surveyed for the November 2004 study rated spyware as the fourth greatest threat to enterprise network security, which led IDC to predict that anti-spyware software revenue will grow to $305 million in 2008, up from $12 million in 2003.

Those kinds of numbers don't go unnoticed at Microsoft. Last December, the company bought anti-spyware firm Giant Software. Microsoft quickly repurposed Giant's tool, renamed it and released it as a free beta. (While Microsoft initially renamed it Windows AntiSpyware, at press time it had renamed it again to Windows Defender.) By most accounts, Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware works well. It sports Giant's admired spyware detection features, and leverages an inside line on Windows to make spyware removal and cleanup efficient and stable.

"It's Microsoft-made, so it knows how to remove something when it finds it," says Neal Zimmerman, northeastern field services manager at a nationwide education firm. Zimmerman's company has rolled out the beta to more than 3,000 Windows XP and 2000 machines. "It knows all the registry keys to look in and knows all the DLL associations, so it can rebuild things properly."

Most users find Microsoft's tool is reliable for detecting spyware. Nawar Aljanabi, senior systems administrator at Sierra Systems Group in Vancouver, British Columbia, has it installed on both his home and work machines. He also uses other detection tools like Lavasoft's Ad-Aware and Webroot Software's Spy Sweeper. "I like to compare the results between Microsoft's and the other third-party tools," he says, "but it catches the same ones the others do."

William Felton agrees with that assessment. "I've been thrilled with it," says Felton, a network specialist for the Des Moines Public Schools in Des Moines, Iowa. "I tried it on two machines here and at home. It's been flawless."

Windows AntiSpyware's full feature set is what most impresses Dave Stambaugh, a systems administrator at Cleveland, Ohio-based Gallo Displays. "I think it's a very well-rounded product," he says. "It has a lot of features that let you delve into things that normally users wouldn't know about, like browser helper objects."

Giant Steps
Not all users are convinced. Richard Schulman, IT director at Kidde Fire Fighting in Exton, Pa., spent most of 2004 searching for a comprehensive anti-spyware tool to roll out to his company's 200 XP workstations. He eventually discovered Giant Software. "I had tried a number of other products. Then I found Giant, installed it on my home computer and thought it was great," he says. When he went back to purchase the tool, he learned that Giant had been bought by Microsoft.

Schulman was hoping for a single solution to root out spyware, and thought he had found it in Giant's tool. "The Giant product seemed to do it—until Microsoft bought it," he says. "Usually, Microsoft will buy a product and then make it better. This seems to be a product they bought and made it worse."

Schulman plans to remove the tool from his home systems, and has scrapped plans for a company-wide rollout. "At this point there would be no reason for me to roll it out at work because it honestly doesn't do anything," he says.

Felton says his version of Windows AntiSpyware has grown disconcertingly quiet of late, but the tool worked well during testing. He recently used it to visit a "crack" site—a site notorious for passing along virus and spyware infections.

Felton configured a machine with Windows XP Service Pack 2, Symantec's Norton AntiVirus and Windows AntiSpyware. Then he visited the site. "It came up rapid fire that my machine was being attacked," he says. "Symantec caught one virus attempt, Service Pack 2 kept the pop-ups from coming up, and the AntiSpyware detected about a dozen or so spyware attempts. It caught everything, so I know it's working."

Interface Issues
Microsoft would do well to rework the interface so all of its features and capabilities are more obvious and readily accessible, says James Clemens II. For example, while it's relatively straightforward to run a quick scan with Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware, executing a more in-depth scan requires paging through a couple of screens. "The quick scan does nothing that I can see," says Clemens, publisher at Micaspecialties.org, a computer security consultancy in Panama City, Fla. "If you don't set it up to do a full scan, you're likely to miss things. And I've run into a lot of people who weren't even aware that the full scan exists." While the scanning capabilities are indeed there, that quirk could lead to fewer spyware detections.

Other features that Clemens appreciates, although he wishes they were easier to find, are its ability to investigate browser helper objects—plug-ins installed by some forms of spyware—and the fact that it will restore browser settings hijacked by malware or spyware. "It has a lot of great features, but they're buried. If you don't know they're there, you might not realize it," he says.

Another reason some users may have missed spyware incidents with Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware is that updates tend to be sporadic. "Some machines don't pull down the AntiSpyware updates, even when they're set to automatically keep the signatures updated," says Pete Salak, an IT engineer at LAN Services LLC in San Jose, Calif.

The manner in which Windows AntiSpyware categorizes some spyware and malware could also lead to reduced detection For example, it recommends that you allow certain instances of spyware, such as software from Claria Corp. You can still block Claria software, but uninformed users may automatically follow Microsoft's recommendation, which could lead to problems. That categorization gaffe led to such user outcry that Microsoft was forced to post this explanation: www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/claria_letter.mspx.

With those issues in mind, most users agree that the best way to fend off spyware is to run multiple anti-spyware tools. "You'll never catch everything with just one anti-spyware program, whether it's Microsoft, Ad-Aware, Spybot-Search & Destroy or Webroot," says Stambaugh. "They all do good jobs, but for some reason, one tool can't catch everything. It's common knowledge that you should definitely run more than one."

In Control
Perhaps the biggest change users would like to see is more administrative-level controls to make AntiSpyware easier to deploy and manage in a corporate setting. For example, Felton says he can not roll out the software to his school district because the school's network operates behind a proxy. "The tool can't cross the proxy to get updates," he says.

Others would like more control over what Windows AntiSpyware allows and does not allow. Right now, when it detects spyware, Windows AntiSpyware prompts you to either allow or block the attempt. "Uneducated users may choose to allow something they shouldn't or choose to block something that they should allow," says Zimmerman.

This became a problem at his company, especially when Windows AntiSpyware detected logon scripts. "The first time we used it some users saw the pop-up about the logon scripts and didn't know what to do. They ended up blocking them, and we had to go in and reset all the settings."

Although most users say they're happy with Windows Antispyware, many have yet to roll it out to every machine in their network because it is still in beta. "It's been in beta for eight or nine months now, which is a long time for a beta," says Stambaugh. "They need to get it out."

Clemens says Microsoft has told him it will release Windows AntiSpyware in December and that it will remain free to consumers. He has also heard it will be rolled into Microsoft's upcoming OneCare toolset, as well as being part of Windows Vista when that debuts sometime next year. "It will be free for consumers, but it will also be available in corporate versions in OneCare and Windows Vista—and Microsoft may charge for that," he says, adding that the extra functionality and administrative controls would be worth it. "I'd pay for that," he says.

http://redmondmag.com/features/article.asp?EditorialsID=535

Spyware - Is somebody watching you?

2007-11-03T03:47:00.000-07:00

Spyware is computer software that is installed stealthily on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user's interaction with the computer, without the user's knowledge or consent.

Unlike a computer virus, spyware does not directly spread in the manner of a worm. Generally, an infected system does not attempt to transmit the infection to other computers; the issue is contained to your local system.

They will reach your system by exploiting security holes or are packaged with user-installed software, such as Limewire. Spyware is often hidden alongside other programs, and you may unknowingly install spyware when you download a program from the Internet or install software from disks.

Spyware normally interferes with networking software, which commonly causes difficulty connecting to the Internet. Spyware, along with other threats, has led some Windows users to move to other platforms such as Linux or Apple Macintosh, which are less attractive targets for malware. However these platforms are not full-proof so don't fall into an out of sight trap.

The scariest part of being attacked is the privacy implications, as spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers.

Not only can spyware programs collect various types of personal information, but they can also interfere with user control of the computer in other ways, such as installing additional software, redirecting Web browser activity, or diverting advertising revenue to a third party.

Microsoft has an entire Windows Update site devoted to automatically updating users' systems with all the latest fixes and patches for a wide range of Microsoft software, including Windows, Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), and Internet Explorer.

Anti-spyware software programs can be used solely for detection and removal of spyware software that has already been installed onto your computer. Anti-virus software can detect many but not all forms of malicious software before they have a chance to affect your computer.

Anti-spyware applications must also be able to remove programs on reboot for spyware/adware that refuses to be removed through normal processes. Of course, anti-spyware applications alone can't protect you entirely from unwanted spyware and adware. For example, recent test results show that bundled software (WhenUSave) is ignored by popular anti spyware program AdAware, (but removed as spyware by most scanners) because it is part of the popular (but recently decommissioned) Edonkey client. To address this dilemma, the Anti-Spyware Coalition has been working on building consensus within the anti-spyware industry as to what is and isn't acceptable software behavior.

Another form of spyware is Adware, it's similar to viruses in that they can be malicious in nature, however the focus now is money as people are now profiting from these threats making them more and more popular.

Adware is often hidden alongside other programs, and you may unknowingly install it when you download a program from the Internet or install software from disks. Adware is software that displays advertisements to computer users. Although most adware is spyware in a different sense for a different reason: it displays advertisements related to what it finds from spying on you.

Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. Malware will log your keystrokes, steal your passwords, observe your browsing choices, spawn pop-up windows, send you targeted email, redirect your web browser to phishing pages, report your personal information to distant servers, and serve up pornography. Malware hijacks your browser and redirects you to advertising or a phishing-con web page.

It's important that you lockdown your computer today and protect yourself from the threats on the Internet today. Check out our website for the latest info on how to protect yourself from Spyware and more.

Spyware Doctor has consistently been awarded Editors' Choice, by leading PC magazines and testing laboratories around the world, including United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany and Australia.

http://www.articles-hub.com/Article/174380.html

From Spyware with love.

2007-11-03T03:45:00.000-07:00

Its late. You've been scouring the web for that perfect present for your Aunt Bess in Idaho. You finally find it at presents4aunties.com. The site looks a little rough on the edges, weird colors and such. But they have that gift you know will make Aunt Bess add you to her will. You purchase the gift, log off and head to bed. Tired but happy.

The next day, coffee in hand, you turn on your computer. That's strange you say, its awfully slow this morning. Finally its booted and ready to go. You open your browser to check the Cow Tipping Blog for the latest posts.
What's this you say, My Homepage is now longer the Log , but a site trying to sell me a DVD of the Surfs vs the Terminator!
Oh well you say, not quite fully awake. You type in the URL for your Log and wait. And wait, and wait. Finally its up! You start to read the mornings postings. You're into the second post about the upcoming Cow Tipping Championship in Vegas when a Popup appears and says you need to go to heartburn.com for the new revolutionary cure for heartburn. Click here now it says and receive a free gift, the secret cure for Baldness!

Weird you think, you click the X to close it.

You don't realize by clicking the X that a small hidden piece of code has just been downloaded to your computer.
You finish the Log postings and decide to check your Bank Account. You type in the URL and wait, and wait. Finally the Bank Logon appears. You log in, completely unaware of the code, which is actually a Key logger, is recording your every keystroke. The Transaction is there for Aunties gift, you're so happy. You log off and remember you forgot to email that document for your Boss. That's ok you say, I can log in from here and send it! Technology is so great ! You log into your work portal and access your email program, find the document, attach it to the email form and send it. You vaguely remember it had something to do with the updated personal info list for all of the employees at your job. It includes their Addresses, email addresses and Direct Deposit Account numbers, also their Logon Names and Passwords to access the Computers at work.

Darn you say as another Popup appears, what's wrong with this computer?

Well at least you didn't forget the Bosses Document. Wouldn't want to get in trouble with the Boss. You've a great job, working for the Trans Global Bank after all. Offices all over the world don't you know.

Well time to check your Anti-Virus program for updates. Hmm it says no updates kneed ed . You notice the Misspelling but what the heck, those things happen. Gee the computer is really slow! You decide to reboot, hoping that will fix it. Gripes, now it wont even boot! At least there's a little extra money in the ole Bank Account to get it fixed.

The above is fiction. No animals were harmed. But its scary huh to think it could happen.
Granted it's a worse case scenario, but I wonder...

Be smart out there people, learn how to use your Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware programs. Keep em updated, and it they don't work well for your surfing habits, find programs that will. Keep your computer protected, your well being may depend on it.

About the Author:
Doug Woodall has a website at http://www.spywarebiz.com
There he provides free information and recommended products to combat Spyware, Viruses and other Online Nasties.

Spyware versus Adware

2007-11-03T03:44:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had pop up after pop up on your computer screen? Or have you ever seen it happen on someone else’s? This is something that is happening everyday. What is it? It is either Adware or Spyware.
Have you ever had pop up after pop up on your computer screen? Or have you ever seen it happen on someone else’s? This is something that is happening everyday. What is it? It is either Adware or Spyware.

What is Spyware?
Spyware is a program that monitors or spies on what computer users do on their computers. They then send the information that is gathered over the internet back to companies. The companies then bombard computers with advertisements.

What is Adware?
Adware is a program that monitors or spies on what computer users do on their computers. They then automatically install advertisements onto the computer.

Spyware and Adware: What is the difference?

You may be thinking that the definitions of spyware and adware sound very similar. They are similar indeed. The only difference between the two is that adware does not report to the company, instead it bypasses that and automatically loads the ads onto the computer.

So, what's the big deal? Spyware and adware are taking computers over. The more adware or spyware that is loaded onto the computer, the longer it takes for the machine to go through its start up process. New toolbars appear in the browser. The homepage is changed and cannot be changed back. Pop-ups will not go away when the computer is running. It can slow your machine and your level of productivity down.

Isn’t Spyware and Adware just a way to advertise?

Spyware and Adware are an effort to advertise. Think about it this way though. Do you want to be spied on? That is exactly what is happening. Every move you make on your computer is watched, and then based on your computer activity, you receive pop-up ads. Now, ask yourself this question 'If you are watching television, do you have to watch the commercials?' No, of course not. You can choose whether you want to watch the ads, flip to a different channel or turn the television off. Okay, now, if you are driving down the road are you required to look at the billboards? No, you can completely ignore them. Advertising in and of itself is not a bad thing. It becomes a negative thing when people are forced to watch, see or read the advertisements. That is what happens with adware and spyware. The harder you try to eliminate the pop-ups, the more pop-ups you have to deal with. The simple truth is that it's not really fair to force people to watch advertising.

What do the companies that make the Spyware and Adware say?

You might wonder about the response from the companies who create such products. They say that all they are doing is advertising. They are actually the ones who coined the term adware. Spyware was coined in order to get people’s attention and alert them to what spyware was doing to their computers. In an effort to redeem themselves, the companies created the adware that does not “spy” in that it does not report the computer activity to someone, but instead automatically installs the advertisement. They said that adware is simply to advertise and that some people just do not like advertisements. They claim that their software is legitimate.

So, is the software legitimate?

Well, let’s take a look at what these companies do. Many will install root kits in an effort to adware files so that the computer user does not find them. If it is legitimate then why do they need to hide the files? Adware often puts more than one file into the memory. Then, if one process is canceled out, another can kick in and restart it. If the files are changed, then they are changed back. If it is legitimate then why do the companies take such extreme measures to make it hard for you to remove their software? The adware takes over the computer by displaying pop-up after pop-up after pop-up. The pop-ups become so numerous that no matter how many you close you can not get them to go away because closing them causes more to open. The software causes bogs up the computer memory and eventually causes the computer to crash. If computers are crashing due to the software, then is this really legitimate?

What You Can Do About It

I cannot stop the companies from loading the adware and spyware by myself. You can not stop them from loading the software by yourself either. However, together we can inform people what spyware and adware is. Then, we all need to take a stand against it.

By Mindy Matter for http://www.removeadware.com.au/ here you'll learn about online privacy and how to remove adware

http://www.articles-hub.com/Article/139308.html

How does proactive spyware research work

2007-11-03T03:42:00.000-07:00

Webroot has introduced its Phileas system that automates spyware research using automatic Internet crawling searching for malicious spyware programs.
Phileas' purpose is to detect spyware programs before they reach unaware PC users that surf the Internet.
Phileas crawls the Web and updates the threat database automatically by contacting Webroot's central unit. Data is being gathered via bot network that sends results to Webroot for processing.
Phileas can detect malicious code and exploits. Bots scan Web sites for forged URLs, manipulated scripts and for suspicious applications.
The bot network identifies known threats and forwards information about unknown suspicious programs for processing to Webroot. This data is being used to create spyware definitions.
Webroot's application is collecting gathering data related to exploits and malicious code that are being used to transport spyware on the Internet and about the spyware's originator.
Historically, anti-spyware vendors had relied on the Internet user community's reports about new spyware. Phileas relies on a proactive approach that aims at collecting research data and information about new flaws and exploits by actively scanning the Web for potentially malicious code.

Charles Wright is security advisor at SecurityBay - IT security solutions provider.

http://www.articles-hub.com/Article/145638.html

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Spyware

2007-11-03T03:41:00.000-07:00

John Locke said that "no one ought to harm another in his
life, health, liberty, or possessions",Yet as I sit here at
my computer this morning, I get the feeling that the
attempts being made to keep the Internet's safe will not
come to fruition soon.

Yes, I can hear you saying, "don't be such a downer,
Doug"

Well, hear me out.

Lets explore John Lockes quote shall we?

Life. Yours, mine, your loved ones. Its yours, to do with
what you will. Well, sometimes your will is to use the
Internet's. But how secure are you? Is your AntiVirus,
AntiSpyware and Firewall working and up to date? Do you know
what is a Spam email is and not to click on the URL they
provide? These decisions can affect your life if you are
online.

Next, Liberty or as I prefer to think of, Freedom. To have
access to particular resources without constraint. If online
threats are making your life hectic, would you consider your
rights violated? I would if I found out that some drive by
download had installed a keylogger on my computer and then
cleaned out my bank account. Or how about while you're
trying to conduct business online and you keep getting these
awful pop=ups telling you about the sale at Harveys Fish
Emporium.

Are your Liberties/ Freedoms being constrained yet?

Now we come to the best part, the pursuit of Spyware. Ok, so
John Locke didn't say anything about Spyware, Write your
own article, this ones mine!

Threats to our online safety are growing in leaps and bounds
by the day. I learned long ago, there is always someone out
there who is better than anyone previously. The attacks on
servers, the Bot networks, the phishing, the URL re-directs,
Keyloggers, Image Spam, it just goes on and on. Your
personal information is at risk every minute you are online.

I know, you have the best AntiVirus, AntiSpyware, Firewall
there is. But is it really? How do you know? When was the
last time you ran "Hijack This" and uploaded the results
to a help Forum like MajorGeeks, Bleeping Computer or
DaniWeb? Its the only way to make sure your computer is
clean. And theres no guarantee it wont become re-infected
two minutes after you leave the Forum.I know it happens
because I frequent these Forums and I see hundreds of
freaked users pleading for help. Many are repeat submitters.

Which brings me to the whole purpose of this article. To
bring into the spotlight those out there who fight everyday
to help keep us safe. They sit at their computers for hours
at a time, examining postings in Forums to help others they
don't even know stay out of the clutches of those who would
benefit from the misfortune of others.

Ever get that feeling of helplessness that comes when your
computer wont work right.

Remember? Not fun huh? These people read your postings and
know your pain. Its hard to do this also, they have to help
you fix your computer thru posting instructions for you to
do. Miscommunication and frustrations can cause it to take
longer and compound the repairs.

Then there are the organizations that go after the meanies
that cause your pain.

They put out alerts and issue fixes. These include The
Alliance of Security Analysis Professionals, The
Anti-Spyware Coalition, The Council of Advocates for Relief
from Malware Assimilation, The Spamhaus Project, just to
name a few. There are plenty more out there that are
fighting the good fight every day. The goal is a
communication arena where all can participate without
concern of malicious intent.

Kind of like the old days when the Internet first existed.

Back then there were "Hackers". They were mostly driven by
ego and competition to see who was the best. Now its mostly
about money. Legions of Bot captured computers sending out
Spam and ads going to millions and millions of unprotected
servers, computers and of course, into your email. Theres
also the Pharming of websites, waiting like a spider in its
lair for you to show up and give you a lil driveby download
of something special. You name the evil that people do and
you can find it online. Thank goodness the goodness of the
Internet's is on the other side of the scale.

So, the solution? Make another one and try again? I don't
have the answer, I do know that there are good people out
there who want safety for all and are making a good show of
it. They deserve our thanks.

I believe there is alway bad that comes with the good. A
balance or whatever. And like the other saying goes,
Retaining Freedom for all requires constant vigilance.

So be vigilant.

About the Author:

Doug Woodall has a website at http://www.spywarebiz.com There he provides free information
and recommended products to combat Spyware, Viruses and
other Online Nasties.