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