by Norwood
Spyware is a growing problem, and has already surpassed viruses as the number one threat to safe and reliable computing. Right now, I get more calls that end up being directly related to spyware than anything else. Spyware is crippling, evil, and dangerous, and this week I'm going to tell you all about it and give you some help in dealing with this serious threat.
In short, spyware is any program that installs itself stealthily and runs on your computer. One very common form of spyware is sometimes known as "hijackware". Malicious web sites or programs working for these sites will reset your home page, change your favorites list, hijack Internet Explorer's search engine and download and install programs that trigger pop-up advertisements. Yes, this can happen just from visiting the wrong web site.
Other forms of spyware can watch everything you type and "phone home" with credit card numbers and passwords. These programs usually run in the background without your knowledge, but when they become too prevalent on your computer, they start to noticeably degrade performance, even when you're not surfing the web!
Spyware can enter your computer in lots of different ways. As previously mentioned, simply visiting a bad website, perhaps by following a link in an email message, can cause an infection. Programs that claim to be freeware or shareware can also install unwanted little extras when you install and use them. The popular file sharing service Kazaa was infamous for this, as are Gator and Weatherbug, 2 programs which claim to be helpful little add-ons. If you've ever installed any of these programs, chances are your computer is infected with spyware right now.
But don't despair! You can get rid of spyware, often by yourself, without spending a whole lot of money. First, download Spybot from http://security.kolla.de/. Spybot happens to be a free program that gets rid of spyware without leaving any spyware of its own. Read the instructions carefully, and make sure you understand that some programs you have previously downloaded may be broken by the time Spybot has finished cleaning things up for you. And always download the latest updates before you run Spybot.
Spybot is a great program, and after you let it clean your computer, you should use it to immunize your computer against future spyware installations. Now you're almost done, but there are probably lots of broken links and other little problems in your computer's registry. You don’t need to know what the registry is, but you do need to know how to fix it. I use Norton Utilities to "clean up" after Spybot. Any other well known registry cleaning program may work equally as well.
If any of this seems the least bit intimidating to you, then don't hesitate to call for help. It's not a bad idea to have someone like me do the first cleaning, set up immunization, and fix the registry problems. Then I can show you how to maintain a nice spyware-free computer on your own!
Speaking of maintaining a spyware-free computer, there are a few basic steps to take. You immunized with Spybot, right? Good, because that is step number one. You should also let Spybot search for spyware on a regular basis. Be careful about visiting unknown web pages, and be especially wary of links in strange e-mail messages. Remember that web sites are not always what they seem to be. Read the fine print before you install any new software, because some programs come right out and tell you that extra stuff will be installed, and don't trust any thing that is free until you check it against known spyware spreaders.
To learn more about spyware, how to protect yourself, or for help in removing malicious applications, call Norwood now: 813-226-2550.
Spyware is a growing problem, and has already surpassed viruses as the number one threat to safe and reliable computing. Right now, I get more calls that end up being directly related to spyware than anything else. Spyware is crippling, evil, and dangerous, and this week I'm going to tell you all about it and give you some help in dealing with this serious threat.
In short, spyware is any program that installs itself stealthily and runs on your computer. One very common form of spyware is sometimes known as "hijackware". Malicious web sites or programs working for these sites will reset your home page, change your favorites list, hijack Internet Explorer's search engine and download and install programs that trigger pop-up advertisements. Yes, this can happen just from visiting the wrong web site.
Other forms of spyware can watch everything you type and "phone home" with credit card numbers and passwords. These programs usually run in the background without your knowledge, but when they become too prevalent on your computer, they start to noticeably degrade performance, even when you're not surfing the web!
Spyware can enter your computer in lots of different ways. As previously mentioned, simply visiting a bad website, perhaps by following a link in an email message, can cause an infection. Programs that claim to be freeware or shareware can also install unwanted little extras when you install and use them. The popular file sharing service Kazaa was infamous for this, as are Gator and Weatherbug, 2 programs which claim to be helpful little add-ons. If you've ever installed any of these programs, chances are your computer is infected with spyware right now.
But don't despair! You can get rid of spyware, often by yourself, without spending a whole lot of money. First, download Spybot from http://security.kolla.de/. Spybot happens to be a free program that gets rid of spyware without leaving any spyware of its own. Read the instructions carefully, and make sure you understand that some programs you have previously downloaded may be broken by the time Spybot has finished cleaning things up for you. And always download the latest updates before you run Spybot.
Spybot is a great program, and after you let it clean your computer, you should use it to immunize your computer against future spyware installations. Now you're almost done, but there are probably lots of broken links and other little problems in your computer's registry. You don’t need to know what the registry is, but you do need to know how to fix it. I use Norton Utilities to "clean up" after Spybot. Any other well known registry cleaning program may work equally as well.
If any of this seems the least bit intimidating to you, then don't hesitate to call for help. It's not a bad idea to have someone like me do the first cleaning, set up immunization, and fix the registry problems. Then I can show you how to maintain a nice spyware-free computer on your own!
Speaking of maintaining a spyware-free computer, there are a few basic steps to take. You immunized with Spybot, right? Good, because that is step number one. You should also let Spybot search for spyware on a regular basis. Be careful about visiting unknown web pages, and be especially wary of links in strange e-mail messages. Remember that web sites are not always what they seem to be. Read the fine print before you install any new software, because some programs come right out and tell you that extra stuff will be installed, and don't trust any thing that is free until you check it against known spyware spreaders.
To learn more about spyware, how to protect yourself, or for help in removing malicious applications, call Norwood now: 813-226-2550.
Good programs:
Ad-Aware (Not discussed, but can be used with spybot. Targets pop-ups and other unwanted advertising. This program, like Spybot, is free)
Spybot (Highly recommended free spyware search and destroy program)
Norton Utilities (My choice for Windows Registry cleaning. Call 813-226-2550 or email now for a great price on this program!)
Ad-Aware (Not discussed, but can be used with spybot. Targets pop-ups and other unwanted advertising. This program, like Spybot, is free)
Spybot (Highly recommended free spyware search and destroy program)
Norton Utilities (My choice for Windows Registry cleaning. Call 813-226-2550 or email now for a great price on this program!)
Are YOU infected?
5 Signs of spyware:
Degraded performance;
Lots of pop-up ads, even when you're not surfing the web;
System crashes;
Changed home page;
Changed IE search page.
5 Signs of spyware:
Degraded performance;
Lots of pop-up ads, even when you're not surfing the web;
System crashes;
Changed home page;
Changed IE search page.
