| Spyware and Adware are not only an | | | | |
| ever-increasing nuisance for computer users | | | | Snoop through applications on our desktop. |
| everywhere, but also a booming industry. | | | | |
| | | | Install other spyware programs into your |
| According to Webroot Software, Inc., the | | | | computer. |
| distribution of online advertisements through | | | | |
| spyware and adware has become a whopping $2 | | | | Read your cookies. |
| billion industry. | | | | |
| | | | Steal credit card numbers, passwords, and |
| The aggressive advertising and spying tactics | | | | other personal information. |
| demonstrated by some of these programs, | | | | |
| require an equally aggressive response from a | | | | Change the default settings on your home page |
| seasoned eradicator. Sunbelt Software is such | | | | web browser. |
| a company. A leader in Anti-Spyware, | | | | |
| Anti-Spam, Network Security and System | | | | Mutate into a second generation of spyware |
| Management tools, they gave consistently | | | | thus making it more difficult to eradicate. |
| remained on the cutting-edge of anti-spyware | | | | |
| programming since 1994. | | | | Cause your computer to run slower. |
| | | | |
| So you might be asking: | | | | Deliver annoying pop up advertisements. |
| | | | |
| Why do I feel as if somebody watching me? | | | | Add advertising links to web pages for which |
| | | | the author does not get paid. Instead, |
| According to the National Cyber Security | | | | payment is directed to the spyware programmer |
| Alliance, spyware infects more than 90% of | | | | that changed the original affiliates |
| all PCs today. These unobtrusive, malicious | | | | settings. |
| programs are designed to silently bypass | | | | |
| firewalls and anti-virus software without the | | | | Provide the user with no uninstall option and |
| users knowledge. | | | | places itself in unexpected or hidden places |
| | | | within your computer making it difficult to |
| Once embedded in a computer, it can wreak | | | | remove. |
| havoc on the systems performance while | | | | |
| gathering your personal information. | | | | Examples of Spyware |
| Fortunately, unlike viruses and worms, | | | | |
| spyware programs do not usually | | | | Here are a few examples of commonly seen |
| self-replicate. | | | | spyware programs: |
| | | | |
| Where Does It Come From? | | | | (Please note that while researchers will |
| | | | often give names to spyware programs, they |
| Typically, spyware originates in three ways. | | | | may not match the names the spyware-writers |
| The first and most common way is when the | | | | use.) |
| user installs it. In this scenario, spyware | | | | |
| is embedded, attached, or bundled with a | | | | CoolWebSearch, a group of programs, that |
| freeware or shareware program without the | | | | install through holes found in Internet |
| users knowledge. The user downloads the | | | | Explorer. These programs direct traffic to |
| program to their computer. | | | | advertisements on Web sites including |
| | | | coolwebsearch This spyware nuisance displays |
| Once downloaded, the spyware program goes to | | | | pop-up ads, rewrites search engine results, |
| work collecting data for the spyware authors | | | | and alters the computer host file to direct |
| personal use or to sell to a third-party. | | | | the Domain Name System (DNS) to lookup |
| Beware of many P2P file-sharing programs. | | | | preselected sites. |
| They are notorious for downloads that posses | | | | |
| spyware programs. | | | | Internet Optimizer (a/k/a DyFuCa), likes to |
| | | | redirect Internet Explorer error pages to |
| The user of a downloadable program should pay | | | | advertisements. When the user follows the |
| extra attention to the accompanying licensing | | | | broken link or enters an erroneous URL, a |
| agreement. Often the software publisher will | | | | page of advertisements pop up. |
| warn the user that a spyware program will be | | | | |
| installed along with the requested program. | | | | 180 Solutions reports extensive information |
| | | | to advertisers about the Web sites which you |
| Unfortunately, we do not always take the time | | | | visit. It also alters HTTP requests for |
| to read the fine print. | | | | affiliate advertisements linked from a Web |
| | | | site. Therefore the 180 Solutions Company |
| Some agreements may provide special opt-out | | | | makes an unearned profit off of the click |
| boxes that the user can click to stop the | | | | through advertisements theyve altered. |
| spyware from being included in the download. | | | | |
| Be sure to review the document before signing | | | | HuntBar (a/k/a WinTools) or Adware.Websearch, |
| off on the download. | | | | is distributed by Traffic Syndicate and is |
| | | | installed by ActiveX drive-by downloading at |
| Another way that spyware can access your | | | | affiliate websites or by advertisements |
| computer is by tricking you into manipulating | | | | displayed by other spyware programs. Its a |
| the security features designed to prevent any | | | | prime example of how spyware can install more |
| unwanted installations. The Internet Explorer | | | | spyware. These programs will add toolbars to |
| Web browser was designed not to allow | | | | Internet Explorer, track Web browsing |
| websites to start any unwanted downloads. | | | | behavior, and display advertisements. |
| That is why the user has to initiate a | | | | |
| download by clicking on a link. These links | | | | How Can I Prevent or Combat Spyware? |
| can prove deceptive. | | | | |
| | | | There are a couple things you can do to |
| For example: a pop-up modeled after a | | | | prevent spyware from infecting your computer |
| standard Windows dialog box, may appear on | | | | system. First, invest in a reliable |
| your screen. The message may ask you if you | | | | commercial anti-spyware program. There are |
| would like to optimize your Internet access. | | | | several currently on the market including |
| It provides yes or no answer buttons, but, no | | | | stand alone software packages such as |
| matter which button you push, a download | | | | Lavasofts Ad-Aware or Windows Antispyware. |
| containing the spyware program will commence. | | | | Other options provide the anti-spyware |
| Newer versions of Internet Explorer are now | | | | software as part of an anti-virus package. |
| making this spyware pathway a little more | | | | |
| difficult. | | | | This type of option is offered by companies |
| | | | such as Sophos, Symantec, and McAfee. |
| Finally, some spyware applications infect a | | | | Anti-spyware programs can combat spyware by |
| system by attacking security holes in the Web | | | | providing real-time protection, scanning, and |
| browser or other software. When the user | | | | removal of any found spyware software. As |
| navigates a webpage controlled by a spyware | | | | with most programs, update your anti virus |
| author, the page contains code designed to | | | | software frequently. |
| attack the browser, and force the | | | | |
| installation of the spyware program. | | | | As discussed, the Internet Explorer (IE) is |
| | | | often a contributor to the spyware problem |
| What Can Spyware Programs Do? | | | | because spyware programs like to attach |
| | | | themselves to its functionality. |
| Spyware programs can accomplish a multitude | | | | |
| of malicious tasks. Some of their deeds are | | | | Because of this, many users have switched to |
| simply annoying for the user; others can | | | | non-IE browsers. However, if you prefer to |
| become downright aggressive in nature. | | | | stick with Internet Explorer, be sure to |
| | | | update the security patches regularly, and |
| Spyware can: | | | | only download programs from reputable |
| | | | sources. This will help reduce your chances |
| Monitor your keystrokes for reporting | | | | of a spyware infiltration. |
| purposes. | | | | |
| | | | And, When All Else Fails? |
| Scan files located on your hard drive. | | | | |