| |
| |
|
Security Information |
|
|
|
Spyware, What It Is, What It Does, And How To Stop It
Spyware is software that runs on a personal computer without the knowledge or consent of the owner of that computer. The Spyware then collects personal information about the user or users of the infected computer. The personal information collected is usually the name of the user; the users email address, Websites visited, online shopping habits, as well as various other information about the user. Spyware is also sometimes known as Scumware, and Adware. Although Adware is slightly different in that the makers claim that the users are aware that they are collecting information about the user. Sometimes this is true, other times it is not. Many times these terms are used interchangeably because many feel that they present the same problems. This however goes to the definition of what Spyware is, making it sometimes difficult to combat from a legal standpoint. This is generally due to how Adware works in that the user downloads a program that they feel is useful for some reason and, that program also collects user information as described above. Although the government is currently taking steps to protect users from these programs it is a slow process because of the current definitions. Once this information is collected, the Spyware then can send your personal information to advertisers that will then send you targeted advertisements through annoying popups, and spam in your email. They can also hijack your web browser and redirect you to a page that they want you to see with their advertising targeted to you through your personal information. This redirecting is sophisticated enough to notice what you are attempting to purchase on one site and can redirect you to another site with the same or similar products so that you make the purchase through them. In addition to the problems of "stealing" your personal information, Spyware runs in the background on your computer using up valuable system resources. This is a major cause of your PC "running slow." The statistics are 9 of 10 computers connected to the internet are infected with some type of Spyware. This could probably be taken a step further to say all PC's connected to the internet are infected with some type of Spyware. The reason for this is because all of the best Anti-Spyware software on the market today can only stop software that it knows or recognizes as Spyware. These Spyware killers work in a way similar to Anti-Virus software and need to be updated on a regular basis to be effective. Spyware is also a large cause of popups occurring on your computer as well. Popups are messages that "pop up" onto your computer screen generally through your internet browser. These popups can be reduced and at times stopped completely by using a web browser other than IE (Internet Explorer) such as Firefox by Mozilla.org and Opera located at: http://www.mozilla.org/ Both are adept at stopping popups from occurring. If you choose to use one of these browsers be sure to periodically check for updates to get the best protection available. One of the ways to defend against Spyware is to use a third party firewall. Although the current version of Windows XP comes with a firewall it is not effective at stopping Spyware as of this writing. Third party firewalls can block unwanted traffic from passing to and from the internet to your computer. Some of the better third party firewalls listed below are: ? Kerio Personal Firewall ? ZoneAlarm Firewall ? Sygate Firewall Kerio Personal Firewall can be downloaded from its Website at the following URL: http://www.kerio.com/us/kpf_download.html Although they have a limited free version it does not provide the same level of protection as the paid version does. I would recommend the paid version of their firewall at $45.00. Next there is ZoneAlarm which is perhaps one of the more recognized firewall around. You can get the free version for non business users at the following URL: http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/ business users can get the paid version here http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp Sygate also has a good firewall that is available for $39.95 available at the URL: http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_pro.htm Firewalls are effective at stopping many Spyware programs as well as other potential problems but they are not a cure all. To be more effective you will want to use Anti-Spyware software along with your firewall. Some of the top Anti-Spyware programs are Webroot Spy Sweeper which you can buy for $29.95 and Spyware Doctor also $29.95, Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition which is free. Also free is Spybot Search and Destroy. All are good and considered some of the best at Spyware detection and removal. All four of these programs can be downloaded at download.com at URL: http://www.download.com/spyware-center/2001-2023_4-0.html You can also use the above URL for additional information about Spyware. Also available now is the Microsoft beta version of its Spyware blocker. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx? Unfortunately there are also some very unscrupulous people out there who will purposefully cause your computer problems if you use their software. This software will often "miss" or "overlook" some Spyware leaving it unsuspectingly on your computer. Worse yet, some of these supposed Anti-Spyware programs will actually place Spyware onto your computer as well. Some of these programs are Spyblaster, Spyware Assasin, as well as many others. The best way to check to see if you are using an Anti-Spyware program that fits into this category is to visit The following URL: http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm If you are using any of the programs in this listing you should remove it immediately and use one of the known good programs such as the ones I listed above to check your computer. You can also keep up to date and learn more about the on going threat of Spyware by visiting the following websites. http://www.ftc.gov/infosecurity/ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/workshops/spyware http://spywareinfo.com/ http://spywarewarrior.com/ Copyright � Keith Erwood, 2005 All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Keith Erwood, is an author, and head consultant and owner of Dyanmic Network Technologies a computer consulting and services business located in New York City. Visit us at Dynamic Network Technologies
MORE RESOURCES: Opinion | Banning TikTok Won’t Solve Your Data-Security Problem The Wall Street Journal He’s a Security Guard at the Met. Now His Work Is Showing There. The New York Times Why does Trump want Greenland and the Panama Canal so badly? One reason may surprise you - USA TODAY Japan links Chinese hacker MirrorFace to dozens of cyberattacks targeting security and tech data ABC News Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Nonproliferation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea United States Mission to the United Nations Sweet Security Partners with Illustria to Offer Proactive Open-Source Supply Chain Risk Management GlobeNewswire Krebs on Security – In-depth security news and investigation Krebs on Security One week later: New Orleans debates security, memorial grows, more chemicals found FOX 8 Local First New in 2025: Counties Should Prepare Now for the Upcoming HIPAA Security Rule Update National Association of Counties Special ops forces seek to manage digital footprints, achieve ‘security through obscurity’ DefenseScoop Pope to celebrate Jubilees for Communications, security forces Vatican News - English White House program to certify the security of IoT devices goes live Cybersecurity Dive U.S. citizen denied entry into Poland after security staff object to handwritten notes in passport ABC News Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Political and Humanitarian Situations in Syria United States Mission to the United Nations Stowaways on planes and inside landing gear raise worries about aviation security The Associated Press Brillion Achieves SOC 2 Type 2 Compliance, Reinforcing Commitment to Data Security and Privacy Business Wire Opinion | Biden’s ‘security’ concern about TikTok and U.S. Steel is doubly specious The Washington Post New Orleans Homeland Security criticized during terror attack probe WDSU New Orleans Border security is national security Foundation for Defense of Democracies The Rio Treaty's Security Pact and Unintended Consequences of Threatening Canada, Greenland, and Panama Just Security Tidal Cyber Acquires Zero-Shot Security to Enhance Threat Intelligence Mapping Capabilities Business Wire Swimlane Hero helps solve complex security operations problems Help Net Security Security guard catches DJ molesting 12-year-old boy at California mall, officials say Sacramento Bee Who is Acronis’ New Chief Information Security Officer? Cyber Magazine UN aviation agency confirms recruitment database security breach BleepingComputer Fort Smith Public Schools to integrate AI gun detection software in security cameras Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Orange Bowl pep rally security includes surveillance cams, law enforcement on the ground - CBS Miami Update on former Vigo County Security Annex demolition MyWabashValley.com Security Industry Association Welcomes New Perimeter Security Subcommittee Leaders Security Sales & Integration BreachLock Unveils Unified Security Testing Platform for PTaaS, ASM, Continuous Pentesting, and Red Teaming PR Newswire Alois Brunner, the Nazi ‘butcher’ who trained Syrian security Al Jazeera English Marine Corps bases take increased security posture The Island News – Beaufort, SC When It Comes to Security, Europe Is Whistling Past the Graveyard World Politics Review Synology Launches ActiveProtect: Simplifying Enterprise Data Protection with Unmatched Security, and Scalability Business Wire Japan links Chinese hacker MirrorFace to dozens of cyberattacks targeting security and tech data The Associated Press Security consultant denied profiteering in defamation case against CNN WMBB - mypanhandle.com Security and Sanctions in Post-Assad Syria The National Interest Online Eric Trager tapped for Mideast slot on Trump’s National Security Council The Times of Israel 2025 Security Industry Predictions: Jon Adams, Vice President of Sales, DMP Security Sales & Integration Can Washington handle two weeks of high-security pomp along with a heavy burst of snow? The Associated Press Washington Township Police to launch security risk assessment program for businesses Bellefontaine Examiner New Orleans hires consultant to review security after Bourbon Street attack. See who has the job. NOLA.com New Orleans attack prompts tighter security in D.C. ahead of inauguration, Carter funeral The Chicago Cusader Newark Airport makes list of Top 10 craziest security catches New Jersey 101.5 FM Base steps up security measures following terrorist attacks Mountain Home News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Everything You Need To Know About Spyware and Malware You are at your computer, checking out software on EBay. The computer is really sluggish, and you are not running anything else. Corporate Security for Your Home Business The words Corporate Security may conjure up images of a group of techies working in a wire-filled basement room of Microsoft or HP, combating hackers and terrorists online using words like algorithm and encryption. If you own your own business, do not allow yourself to think that security is only for big corporations. How Spyware Blaster Can Protect Your Computer From Harm By browsing a web page, you could infect your computer withspy ware, ad ware, dialers and hijackers. These, unwelcomeguests, are some of the fastest growing threats on theInternet today. Protecting Your Children On The Internet If you are a parent, as am I, I think we can agree there is little else more important than keeping our children safe and protected. It's difficult enough keeping them safe from the unscrupulous people we read about in the news, but dealing with children and the Internet takes it to a completely new level. Top Five Online Scams The top five online scams on the Internet hit nearly ten million people last year according to an FBI report in December 2004. That figure doubled from 2003 to 2004 and people are continuing to fall for these email and identity theft scams. Is The Internet Over Regulated Today's Internet or World Wide Web is being over regulated.But, are you being taken for a ride, are you lead to believe that Governments World Wide are creating new legislation for your benefit or are there underlying factors that these laws are more beneficial to Governments and big business?First we had the Can-Spam and other laws passed regulating the sending of unsolicited commercial e-mail, that contains false or deceptive subject information, or that is sent from invalid e-mail addresses, but for me, my inbox still seems to always be full of junk mail. Is Your Music Player Spying On You? In today's times spyware is a very serious issue and all computer users should be aware of the possible damage it can cause. It is estimated by well known industry insiders that nearly 90% of all computers are infected with some kind of spyware. Can I Guess Your Password? We all know that it's dangerous to use the same password for more than one program. If you sign up for a program run by someone of low moral fibre, what is to stop them running through various programs with your username and password to see what they can access? But of course remembering all the different passwords can be a headache. 7 Ways to Spot a PayPal Scam E-Mail Paypal is a great site and is used by many to send and receive money. Unfortunately some dishonest people are using the Popularity of Paypal to line their own pockets with gold at the expense of unsuspecting Pay Pal members. Secure Your PC From Hackers, Viruses, and Trojans Viruses, Trojans and Spyware: Protecting yourself.No user on the internet is safe from assault. Computer Viruses and Other Nasties: How to Protect Your Computer from These Invaders Can you protect your computer from all possible viruses and other invasions?The quickest answer to this is "no." It's just flat impossible to protect your computer from all viruses, registry attacks, worms, spyware, malware, popups, and other such nasties. Spyware, This Time Its Personal! First the basic definition of Spyware: It is a type of software which is installed onto your computer without your permission.. Free Antivirus Security Software: Download Now to Eliminate Spyware, Pop Up Ads, etc. Adware. Spyware. Online Shopping: 10 Tips For Safe Online Shopping Have you ever bought a product or service from the internet?Yes? Me too. You're not alone?Some of the reasons why most people are shopping online are: they can buy anything at anytime because Internet shopping is available 24 hours, all the time. Reducing Fraudulent Transations - 5 Simple Ways To Protect Yourself The money being spent online is steadily growing. With billions of dollars being spent each year online, the opportunity to make money on the internet has never been bigger. Make Money Online - Defend Against The Latest Scam First, let's do a little recap'. As I stated in the first part of the article, "Make Money Online - The Latest Scam Disclosed", "refund policy scammers" affect the websites that make money online by selling digital products by buying the product and asking for refunds, while keeping the product. Social Engineering - The Real E-Terrorism? One evening, during the graveyard shift, an AOL technical support operator took a call from a hacker. During the hour long conversation the hacker mentioned he had a car for sale. An Open Letter From a So-called Stupid Someone recently told me, "You would have to be a stupid to lose your personal information." While I respectfully responded to this person in the moment, the comment has stuck with me. New Mass Mailing Spamming Internet Trojan for the Windows Platform May. 16th 2005 - MicroWorld has reported the discovery of Troj/Sober-Q, which is a mass mailing spamming internet Trojan for the Windows platform. Phishing - A High Tech Identity Theft With A Low Tech Solution Have you ever got an email asking you to confirm your account information from a bank or a company that you have never done business with? The email looks official and it even has a link that appears to take you to the company's website. The email you have received is actually from an identity thief.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |