Beware of spyware
One day, you suddenly realize that your computer started working
noticeably slower than before. you decide to run
defrag your hard drive and add more virtual memory
to the system. No luck! It may be, it’s probably some virus, you
Consider turning on your virus scanning software. even after
running the antivirus program you realize that the problem is not
solve. Without understanding what is happening, frustrated, you choose
pick up the phone. It’s time to call your technical support. sounds
family? You are not alone! Every day, thousands of users are
similar problems caused by malicious software called
spyware. According to Dell technical support, today 12
percent of their support calls involve problems related to some
types of spyware. Microsoft reports that fifty percent of all
Computer crashes are caused by spyware, viruses, and Trojans.
What is spyware?
Spyware, also called Malware or Adware, is malicious software
programs, which are most often installed on your computer
without your knowledge. These programs are capable of doing many
outrageous and sinister things to your computer, like changing
computer settings, tracking your online behavior, monitoring and
control your computer, record your keystrokes, display
unwanted advertising and report the necessary information back to
the person behind him.
The main types of spyware are:
Keyloggers: This type of spyware copies everything you type into
a file and send it to the hacker. The most sophisticated type,
used for identity theft, copies the information you
provides when you are connected to a secure website.
Browser hijacker: modifies browser settings without your
permission. This spyware is capable of changing your home page,
search page, search toolbar and redirect your URL to a specific address
pages
Email Redirector – surreptitiously copies all your incoming messages and
outgoing emails and sends to the hacker.
Dialers – This spyware installs only on your dial-up setup
and dial numbers without your knowledge, often outside the country
numbers.
Collectware: The purpose of this Spyware is to track your browsing
habit and transmit the statistical data to the hacker. East
the information is then sold to advertising companies.
Adware: This spyware downloads all kinds of banner ads
every time you perform some action, such as typing a word on your
research tool.
Why doesn’t my antivirus program block Spyware?
Although spyware uses the same tactics as “Trojan” viruses,
Technically it is not a virus. A virus is a program written to
create problems or possibly harm your computer system. viruses are
capable of replicating, evolving and causing serious damage to its
computer files, registry, or even hardware. Spyware, on the other
hand, do not intentionally damage your computer. any discomfort
as system slowdown is collateral damage, which occurs
while Spyware fulfills its mission of monitoring your
activities and make unwanted changes to your user experience.
People rarely read the fine print of user agreements while
download a free file, program, game, or other product from
The Internet. Unethical sites use this to their advantage and
add a little spyware with the file you are downloading.
Antivirus programs cannot be sure if this program is
deliberately installed by you or is malicious spyware. East
makes it difficult to identify and block a spyware for a
Virus program. However, things have started to change! Important
Antivirus companies plan to integrate anti-spyware programs
programs to your existing products very soon.
How did I get infected with spyware?
There are numerous ways on how you could end up having a
Spyware on your system.
– When you download and install programs, games, smilies, images, screen savers from dubious sites, there is a high chance that you may install sneaky spyware on the way.
– Some websites and pop-ups try to download and install spyware while you’re there. According to a recent analysis of sex-related websites, up to 80 percent of these sites are now used to deliver spyware, worms, and Trojans to unsuspecting visitors.
– Some browser add-ons that are supposed to enhance your browsing experience may secretly install Spyware.
– The most cynical method of getting infected with Spyware is when you suddenly receive a pop-up ad, claiming that your computer is contaminated and that you have to run a certain program to cure your system. If you are gullible enough to run this program, you simply install spyware instead of removing it.
How to fight back?
If you carefully follow the instructions below, your chances
of getting infected with spyware are quite rare.
Update your Windows
Allow your version of Windows to update automatically. make sure that
has all the latest security patches installed.
Use Firefox as your default browser
Since Internet Explorer is the main target of many spyware,
Be better with Mozilla Firefox. Also, it is a better browser.
than IE in many respects.
Be very careful with your downloads
Try not to download anything from an unknown site. if you still feel
how to get a shareware or freeware program, check it out on one of
this online spyware database. Spychecker (http://www.spychecker.com/)
is one such service, and Spy Chaser from Camtech 2000
(http://camtech2000.net/Pages/SpyChaser.html)
is a nifty downloadable database of nearly
1000 spyware infested programs.
Use an Anti-Spyware Application
Download and install one of the following anti-spyware programs:
Adware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/),
Spybot (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html)
and Microsoft AntiSpyware. Although, Microsoft Anti-Spyware
(http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx)
it’s still in beta stage, i’m using it and very happy
with your performance.
Get a firewall
If you are using Windows XP with Service Pack 2, you are probably
penalty fee! In other cases, if your computer is connected to the Internet
You should directly get a firewall and install it. alarm area
(http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp) is a
Great firewall that you can download for free.
A recent survey of the top threats to network security in
2005 reveals that two-thirds of IT managers and administrators
believe spyware will be the number one threat to the network
security. So don’t run out of luck! Make sure you are protected!