Got Spy Ware?

 

Chances are, you do. What is more likely, you have spy ware and do not even know it! The stuff is not called "spy ware" because it warns you that it is going to install itself on your system.

Spy ware can do several things. Some spy ware does nothing more than track where you go online, sending the information to a company (usually a marketing company). Other spy ware goes the extra step of deciding what pop up ads you want to look at. This stuff is VERY common and quite annoying. This type of spy ware can also collect personal information that marketers like to get.

There is also spy ware known as a "hijacker" or "redirector". This spy ware decides that it knows better than you do what search engines to use. It will also decide what your default homepage should be. You might do a Google search, only to be redirected to some other search engine. for example. Quite often, this is why your default homepage is changed to a penis enlargement website without your approval.

Another type of spy ware is dialer programs. These programs install themselves, then use your modem to dial toll numbers. These numbers can be local (976-xxxx or 1-900-xxx-xxxx), long distance, or even international calls. These programs are not as common as other types of spy ware, but they can be costly.

I saved the WORST kind of spy ware for last. "Key loggers" are in my opinion the worst. These programs secretly keep track of your keystrokes, so when you buy something online or use internet banking, some jerk wad can get your social security number, credit card number, bank account number, user names, passwords - anything you type into your computer. This information is sent to the scum bag over the internet. Needless to say, key loggers suck and you DO NOT want any.

FIGHT BACK!!!!!

I have assembled a few web links to help you fight the evil that is spy ware. All these programs are free, or at least have free versions. It will not hurt to download them all. The more anti spy software you have, the better!

SPY WARE FREE TOOLBAR AND POP-UP AD BLOCKER

http://toolbar.google.com  - what can I say? This utility is free, from a trusted source, blocks pop-up ads, and allows you to do a google search without having to go to their page. When it blocks the first pop-up ad, you will be glad you downloaded it. Even with a slow dialup connection, the download will only take a minute.

SPY WARE DETECTOR / REMOVAL PROGRAMS

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/spywareblaster.html   - This program disables ActiveX controls used by Spy Ware. Will not effect legitimate uses of ActiveX. This is NOT a scanner, it will not tell you if you have any spy ware, it just prevents new spy programs from installing.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/  - This is the site for Adaware. This free program scans and cleans your system of spies.
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download   - This is another "scan and clean" anti-spy program. Use in conjunction with Adaware and SpywareBlaster (first link)

PERSONAL FIREWALL SOFTWARE

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp  - web site for Zone Alarm. The free version is only a firewall, the pay versions include all sorts of other goodies. The free firewall is well worth the download, it allows you to choose which programs can and can not access the internet and your local net (or hard drive).

TEST YOUR FIREWALL!

http://grc.com/default.htm  - This is an EXCELLENT site. Download the "Three Musketeers", then run "Leak Test" (will test your firewall to see if it can block certain Trojans) and "Shields Up" (will test your firewall against incoming attacks). After running Leak Test I discovered that my Windows XP firewall was flawed! It FAILED the "Leak Test"!!! I downloaded Zone Alarm and fixed that problem!

HOME