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Security Information |
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Is Spyware Watching You?
Imagine my surprise when I received a phone call from afriend who told me he'd been the victim of a "spyware"attack that left him shaking at his loss of privacy. I listened to his horror story with a sympathetic ear, butI felt secure since I carry anti-virus software and afirewall (both by Norton). At his suggestion - and to my surprise - I ran a programcalled "Spy Sweeper" and found a veritable minefield ofdangerous and harmful programs lurking on my computer. "Spyware" is software that gets onto your computer andliterally "spies" on your activities. The spying can range from relatively harmless use ofcookies tracking you across multiple websites... toextremely dangerous "keystroke loggers" which recordpasswords, credit cards, and other personal data. That datathen gets relayed to the person who put the software onyour computer. Three primary types of spyware exist to complicate youronline life, including: 1. "cookies" Cookies represent mostly a danger of lost privacy. In theory, someone could use a "cookie" to track you acrossmultiple sites, combine that data with several databases,and figure out a lot more information about you than wouldmake you comfortable. "Adware" tracks more than just your movement across sites,it spies on your installed software and computer habits tothen serve up advertising, modify websites before you seethem, and generally do things without your knowledge withthe intention of trying to get you to buy things. "Keystroke loggers" and other malicious programs exist forone purpose: to cause personal mayhem and financial damage. Spyware gets on your computer in one of several differentways. First, it rides along with software you download from the'Net and install on your system. Second, they come as email attachments (much like viruses)and automatically install themselves on your computer whenyou open the email message. Third, hackers find an open port on your computer and usethe "back door" to install basically anything they want. And fourth, the more malicious types, like keystrokeloggers, can even get installed by someone with directphysical access to your computer such as an employer,suspicious spouse, business competitor, or someone whowants to know exactly what you're doing. Now, suppose you carry an up-to-date anti-virus program anda firewall - shouldn't that represent potent protection? In a word: NO! I can personally attest that even the most up-to-date anti-virus programs and firewalls will not (repeat, WILL NOT)catch all the spyware that can infest your computer. You need a program that specifically scans your system forthe tens-of-thousands of existing spyware programs alongwith the new ones appearing daily. Check out "Spy Sweeper" from webroot.com - this is theprogram I used to discover the spyware on my computer. One thing I noticed, however, is that this program is a memory hog, so once I scanned, I turned it off and thenuse it 2-3 times a week... not the best strategy, butI want to give you the "whole" picture. I also got the following recommendations from numeroussubscribers about 2 programs to specifically help identifyand remove spyware from your system (PC): 1. "Ad Aware" from lavasoft.de The overwhelmingly recommended firewall suggested by readerswas Zone Alarm Pro from Zone Labs=> http://www.ebookfire.com/zonealarm.html The bottom line seems pretty simple (but lengthy) if youwant to protect yourself against this growing threat. ~ Keep your anti-virus program current (c) Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved About the Author: Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist (http://www.TheNetReporter.com) and is the author ofseveral best-selling ebooks, information products andsoftware programs. Simple "Traffic Machine" brings Thousands of NEW visitors toyour website for weeks, even months... without spending adime on advertising! ==> Turn Words IntoTraffic
MORE RESOURCES: Homeland Security Department to Release New A.I. Guidance The New York Times Officials detail increased D.C. security for certification, inauguration The Washington Post US ambassador says Mexico 'closed the doors' on security cooperation and denies its violence problem ABC News The UN cybercrime convention threatens security research. The US should do something about it CyberScoop Nuclear power for military bases will increase our national security Breaking Defense Brief altercation between fans mars France-Israel soccer match despite heavy security The Associated Press Opinion | Trump’s national security wrecking crew The Washington Post U.S. ambassador bashes Mexico’s security efforts. Mexico’s president pushes back - Los Angeles Times Remarks Following Briefings by Chairs of Subsidiary Bodies of the UN Security Council United States Mission to the United Nations The Fastest Airport Security Line You Don’t Know About The Wall Street Journal Do Titans QB, Coach Have Job Security? Sports Illustrated ‘Never trust, always verify’: The zero trust approach to network security United States Army The campus will be closed to anyone who is not a student, faculty or staff member. WVTM13 Birmingham Tuskegee president releases security updates following shooting WIAT - CBS42.com Video: How The Fortinet Security Fabric Is Combatting Cybersecurity Threats And Talent Shortage Channel Insider Tuskegee University Shifts Security, Facilities Leadership Tuskegee University Endpoint Security from BlackBerry BlackBerry 3rd Annual U.S.-Mexico Defense and Security Roundtable smallwarsjournal France draws with Israel in high-security operation to reach Nations League quarterfinals with Italy The Associated Press Homeland Security Department releases framework for using AI in critical infrastructure The Associated Press After student allegedly threatens classmate with gun, Ambridge Area School District makes security changes CBS Pittsburgh Tom Homan, Trump’s ‘Border Czar,’ on Border Security The New York Times St. Francis Seraph hires security guards for Christmas, Nativity display visitors as crowds still plague area WCPO 9 Cincinnati Suspect in Little Italy shootout with police was a security guard doing contract work for MTS CBS News 8 France-Israel Soccer Match is Overshadowed by Amsterdam Attack The New York Times Trump’s National Security Team Keeps Getting More Extreme The New Republic South Florida campus security officer arrested after attempting to meet minor for sex WPBF West Palm Beach Linn County’s Food for Health pilot program aims to improve food security, support local economy KEZI TV Silverfort Buys Rezonate to Fortify Identity Security Muscle BankInfoSecurity.com Lamar CISD invests in safety, security amid rapid growth Community Impact How security partnerships are transforming to meet modern demands SecurityInfoWatch Rand Paul Will Continue His COVID-19 Investigations From Atop the Senate Homeland Security Committee Reason Trump names Florida’s Rep. Mike Waltz as national security adviser Nebraska Examiner Mexico’s ‘hugs, not bullets’ security strategy has failed, says US Ambassador Ken Salazar Mexico News Daily ESA opens registration for 2024 Town Hall Broadcast SecurityInfoWatch Mexican Officials Arrest Top Security Official in Mayor’s Beheading The New York Times 11/14/24 National Security and Korean News and Commentary smallwarsjournal ASIS, International Protective Security Board Sign Memorandum of Understanding Security Sales & Integration Federal officials warn Boston churches to increase security after wave of arson attacks CatholicVote org Akamai: 84% of security professionals experienced an API security incident in the past year SecurityInfoWatch Suspect in Little Italy shootout with police was a security guard doing contract work for MTS CBS News 8 Arizona governor pledges work with Trump to secure the border Arizona's Family Trump Picks Kristi Noem for Homeland Security Secretary The New York Times Gov. Gianforte unveils budget proposal built around 'security and prosperity' Bozeman Daily Chronicle ASIS International, International Protective Security Board sign MOU SecurityInfoWatch Microsoft Patch Tuesday, November 2024 Edition Krebs on Security USX Cyber Expands Phishing Defense in GUARDIENT XDR with Advanced Email Security Training Tools PR Newswire |
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