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Recently while going
through a forum postings, I came across this antiquing post, I wouldn't know
if it is a question or just a plain statement but it simply says, "how to
protect my computer from spyware and a". However, from the post one can
deduce that it was a question.
Since coming across that post I've
come across many other anxious folks online who are seeking for a way
they can find and kill spyware that has become a nightmare to them.
To this folks I hope these articles will be of help.
I've tried to put together these articles
to any one seeking for a way to find and kill spyware from their PCs that
were already effected the obstructive activities of spyware or those who
wants to find a way on how to protect my computer from spyware and adware
problems.
But first,
what really is Spyware?
Before thinking of seeking a way to find
and kill spyware or asking, "how to protect my computer from spyware and
adware", is pertinent to know what spyware and adware really means.
Butte
College (www.bctv.butte.edu/support/spyware.html)
offers this definition:
“The term ‘spyware’ is broadly defined as any program that gets into
your computer without permission and hides in the background while it
makes unwanted changes to your user experience.
Spyware is generally not designed to damage your computer. The damage
it does is more a by-product of its main mission, which is to serve you
targeted advertisements or make your browser display certain sites or
search results.
At present, most spyware targets only the Windows operating system
(Internet Explorer).”
To be fair,
spyware can be harmless, for example tracking cookies don’t do much.
While such things infringe on your privacy, and makes you feel that
someone is watching all your moves online, they don't really harm
anything. Others, however, are extremely dangerous.
Spyware is one of
the fastest-growing internet threats. According to the National Cyber
Security Alliance, spyware infects more than 90% of all PCs today.
Studies also show that spyware's prominence appears to be greatest in the
US, where 40% of the respondents have encountered spyware at work,
compared to 14% in Japan and 23% in Germany. In all three countries, end
users from small- and medium-sized businesses reported a greater number
of encounters than larger enterprises.
However, of the
respondents who encounter spyware at work, only 45% believed they had
actually fallen victim, which reveals a difference between end-user
awareness of the spyware threat and whether corporate end users have
enough knowledge to identify spyware infiltration.
These unobtrusive,
malicious programs are designed to silently bypass firewalls and
anti-virus software without the user’s knowledge. This is why in most
cases it is not easy to find and kill spyware with anti-virus software.
Fortunately however, unlike viruses and worms, spyware programs do not usually self-replicate. But
once embedded in a computer, a spyware can wreak havoc on the
system’s performance while gathering your personal information.
So where do
spyware
come from?
Many people asking
now how do I protect my computer from spyware never know that they are
the very ones allowing spyware into their computers.
Now think of this,
have you ever downloaded Freeware programs? Those advertiser supported software that doesn't cost you anything
- all you have to do is give your name, address,
phone, e-mail, and some other general information. Not a bad trade-off,
right? But, what if your personal information was also stored elsewhere
on your hard drive, and transmitted your personal data via the Internet
back to advertisers in exchange for more advertising? Now can you think
again if that freeware is really free?
You may not know it
but by downloading that freeware you've allowed spyware aka adware into
your PC!
Typically, spyware
originates in three ways. These are:
1. The first and most common way is when the user
installs it, like the example above. In this scenario, spyware is embedded, attached, or bundled
with a freeware or shareware program without the user’s knowledge. The
user downloads the program to their computer. Once downloaded, the
spyware program goes to work collecting data for the spyware author’s
personal use or to sell to a third-party.
2. Another way that
spyware can access your computer is by tricking you into manipulating the
security features designed to prevent any unwanted installations. The
Internet Explorer Web browser was designed not to allow websites to start
any unwanted downloads. That is why the user has to initiate a download
by clicking on a link. These links however, can prove to be deceptive. For example, a
pop-up modeled after a standard Windows dialog box, may appear on your
screen. The message may ask you if you would like to optimize your
internet access. It provides yes or no answer buttons, but, no matter
which button you push, a download containing the spyware program will
commence.
3. Finally, some
spyware applications infect a system by attacking security holes in the
Web browser or other software. When the user navigates a webpage
controlled by a spyware author, the page contains code designed to attack
the browser, and force the installation of the spyware program.
What can spyware
programs do?
Spyware programs can
accomplish a multitude of malicious tasks. Some of their deeds are
simply annoying for the user; others can become downright aggressive in
nature.
Spyware can:
1.
Monitor your keystrokes for reporting purposes.
2.
Scan files located on your hard drive.
3.
Snoop through applications on our desktop.
4.
Install other spyware programs into your computer.
5.
Read your cookies.
6.
Steal credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal
information.
7.
Change the default settings on your home page web browser.
8.
Mutate into a second generation of spyware thus making it more
difficult to eradicate.
9.
Cause your computer to run slower.
10.
Deliver annoying pop up advertisements.
11.
Add advertising links to web pages for which the author does not
get paid. Instead, payment is directed to the spyware programmer that
changed the original affiliate’s settings.
12.
Provide the user with no uninstall option and places itself in
unexpected or hidden places within your computer making it difficult to
remove.
It is basically
because of these annoying and aggressive nature of the spyware that many
people are seeking ways on how to protect their computers from spyware
and adware.
How can I protect my computer from spyware?
There are a couple
things you can do to prevent spyware from infecting your computer
system.
1. First, invest in a reliable commercial
anti-spyware program.
There are several currently on the market including stand alone software
packages. Other
options provide the
anti-spyware software
as part of an anti-virus package. Anti-spyware programs can combat spyware by
providing real-time protection, scanning, and removal of any found
spyware software. You can check out
AdwareSpy.com is an option or search
google.com and the one that will accomplish your purpose.
2. As discussed
earlier, the
Internet Explorer (IE) is often a contributor to the spyware problem
because spyware programs like to attach themselves to its functionality.
Spyware enjoys penetrating the IE’s weaknesses. Because of this, many
users have switched to non-IE browsers. However, if you prefer to stick
with Internet Explorer, be sure to update the security patches regularly,
and only download programs from reputable sources. This will help reduce
your chances of a spyware infiltration.
3. Beware of many P2P
file-sharing programs. They are notorious for downloads that posses
spyware programs. The user of a
downloadable program should pay extra attention to the accompanying
licensing agreement. Often the software publisher will warn the user
that a spyware program will be installed along with the requested
program. Unfortunately, we do not always take the time to read the fine
print. Some agreements may provide special “opt-out” boxes that the user
can click to stop the spyware from being included in the download. Be
sure to review the document before signing off on the download.
And, when all
else fails?
Finally, if your
computer has been infected with a large number of spyware programs, the
only solution you may have is backing up your data, and performing a
complete reinstall of the operating system.
If you've been innudate with the spyware menace and having been asking,
"how do I protect my computer from spyware and adware" or "how do I
find and kill spyware", I hope these suggestions will be of help to you.
Related links:
What are
Intrusion Detection Systems?
ZoneAlarm Internet
Security Suite 6
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