| This week we will be focusing on Spyware. | | | | If you use P2P file sharing programs then the |
| Exactly What Is Spyware? | | | | chances of your system becoming infected are |
| We wanted to go into a little more detail on this | | | | substantially increased, in fact I would say it's |
| whole spyware thing because we talk about it so | | | | inevitable. |
| often. Ninety-nine percent of what goes wrong in | | | | Prevention |
| an internet connected PC is caused by spyware, | | | | The obvious answer to free downloads and P2P |
| right? Wrong. Spyware gets a bad press. It | | | | file sharing problems is not to use these programs |
| certainly deserves it, but the term has become | | | | or download software that we are not familiar |
| too generalized, and this can be frustrating for | | | | with the source. Will we do this, I would doubt it. |
| both technicians and end users alike. | | | | So what else can we do to prevent this from |
| Spyware often manifests itself in the following | | | | happening and our systems becoming infected? |
| ways: | | | | This is going to be painful, I know. But keeping |
| Popups appear when you're not even connected | | | | your system free of spyware takes a little effort |
| to the Internet. | | | | coupled with some helpful tips. |
| Strange toolbars appear on your browser that | | | | Use a good firewall, anti-virus solution & spyware |
| you did not install. | | | | scanner. Never open email if you don't recognize |
| Your homepage has changed and you cannot | | | | the sender. Install McAfee's free site advisor & |
| change it back. | | | | spoofstick to prevent phising scams. |
| You system crashes or takes forever to load. | | | | McAfee's site advisor is an excellent way to be |
| So I have Spyware. Now what? | | | | alerted of potentially dangerous sites. Its quick, it's |
| Just about everyone gets spyware on their | | | | free and it works. More and more sites are being |
| system at some time or another. The question is, | | | | submitted for testing every day. Just type, 'Site |
| 'how do you get rid of it?' Depending on the | | | | advisor,' into Googles search engine to find the |
| severity of the infection, reformatting and a clean | | | | download. |
| install of the operating system may be the only | | | | Spoof stick will alert you with just a quick glance |
| sure way to know it's gone. | | | | to any spoof (fake)websites. It will also work |
| We do this for several reasons, but the most | | | | when clicking on any links in an email etc. This |
| important is that you know the spyware is gone | | | | should help you steer clear of banking scams, |
| and prevention can be used to keep the system | | | | identity theft etc. Again Google it for the free |
| clean. | | | | download. |
| If reformatting and reinstalling isnt a desired | | | | Make sure you have your system set to |
| option, then check out some of the free spyware | | | | automatically receive updates & patches. Scan |
| scanners such as adaware or spybot sd. | | | | your system about once a week & remove any |
| Personally I use Counterspy which is an excellent | | | | nasties that you may find. I also run Kaspersky's |
| scanner at a very competitive price. | | | | free online scanner once a month as an extra |
| Free Software etc | | | | precaution. |
| Although there are many bonefide distributors of | | | | If you want to take your protection a step |
| software there are also many unscrupulous sites | | | | further then have a separate hard drive installed |
| and programmers who attach viruses and or | | | | in your system. Its quick, relatively cheap, offers |
| spyware to their 'free programs.' | | | | extra protection and gives us more space to |
| If you consistently install software from the | | | | store our data etc. |
| internet without checking it out first then it is only | | | | Once installed then simply make sure that |
| a matter of time before your system becomes | | | | anything you download is stored on the extra |
| infected with spyware and or viruses. | | | | hard drive, the one not containing your operating |
| You may have already experienced something | | | | system. |
| along these lines. You come across a free | | | | Once you have it there then run right click your |
| program that promises all sorts of benefits for | | | | mouse and select scan with, 'the name of your |
| you and its FREE! How can you resist? You click | | | | virus scanner,' and or spyware scanner and scan |
| on the download button and if your lucky and | | | | the file you just downloaded. If the file comes up |
| have SP2 installed then you get the message | | | | clean and you want to move the program to |
| asking you if you want to install the,' active x | | | | your system drive, the one containing the |
| control,' that will allow the software download. | | | | operating system then you are as sure as you |
| This is where the trouble can begin. Active x | | | | can be that it doesnt contain any nasties thus |
| controls without getting too geeky can of course | | | | virtually eliminating any threat to the drive |
| be good or bad and basically you are giving | | | | containing your operating system. |
| permission if you answer yes to allow this active | | | | Of course you should run your spyware & virus |
| x control to do whatever it wants to your | | | | scanners on this extra drive whilst doing your |
| system. | | | | weekly scans. |