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:
'Blow the whistle': Indiana's top election official spends $35k on security guide mailings • Indiana Capital Chronicle Indiana Capital Chronicle Violence in New Caledonia subsides slightly as France sends reinforcements for security The Associated Press Canada security intelligence chief warns China can use TikTok to spy on users, CBC reports Reuters.com House Passes Israel Security Assistance Support Act | House Committee on Appropriations - Republicans House Appropriations Israel Resists Grand Bargain as U.S. and Saudis Work on Security Pact The New York Times U.S.-Ukraine Security Entanglement Risks Forever War The American Conservative Sean 'Diddy' Combs Allegedly Paid $50K to Obtain Hotel Security Footage of Cassie Assault: Lawsuit PEOPLE Women are worried about their financial security. That may affect the 2024 presidential election CNBC Palo Alto Networks and IBM to Jointly Provide AI-powered Security Offerings; IBM to Deliver Security Consulting ... IBM Newsroom Now armed with AI, America's adversaries will try to influence election, security officials warn The Associated Press Security video appears to show Sean 'Diddy' Combs beating singer Cassie in hotel hallway in 2016 Washington Times Nuclear security through the eyes of the Co-Presidents of ICONS 2024 International Atomic Energy Agency Appropriators Lead Israel Security Assistance Support Act | House Committee on Appropriations - Republicans House Appropriations Security footage calls into question Anchorage police account of fatal shooting Alaska Public Media News Security Council Secretary: 'Not an Inch of Armenian Land Ceded to Azerbaijan' • MassisPost Armenian News by MassisPost FCC proposes BGP security measures Network World New Survey Finds a Paradox of Confidence in Software Supply Chain Security Security Boulevard Identity Management and Information Security News for the Week of May 17; Exabeam, Saviynt, VAST Data, and More Solutions Review Canada Releases Defense Policy Update to Boost Security Department of Defense NATO and Economic Security: A Political Oxymoron or Inevitability? CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies EXCLUSIVE: Two students uncover security bug that could let millions do their laundry for free TechCrunch Endpoint Security and Network Monitoring News for the Week of May 17; Alkira, Preamble, c/side, and More Solutions Review Amazon security guard tries to kill unsuspecting boss before he's shot dead in gunfight with police: 'He almost executed me' New York Post RSA Conference 2024: AI and the Future Of Security Security Boulevard Diddy Seen Physically Assaulting Cassie in Never-Before-Seen 2016 Hotel Security Footage Entertainment Tonight Putin has ditched his paranoid security chief. Here are 5 of the wackiest things Nikolai Patrushev has said. POLITICO Europe 7 months since Oct 7, UN Security Council holds first meeting entirely dedicated to Israeli hostages in Gaza All Israel News Fox News Poll: Abortion, economy, and border security are top deal-breakers in 2024 elections Fox News See cops working security at Tacoma grocery stores? Here’s why and what policies allow Tacoma News Tribune OWASP dep-scan: Open-source security and risk audit tool Help Net Security Opinion | Is TikTok Chinese ownership a U.S. national security issue? Come on. - The Washington Post Opinion | Is TikTok Chinese ownership a U.S. national security issue? Come on. The Washington Post UN sexual violence envoy pulls out of Security Council briefing on Hamas hostages The Times of Israel May 17: IDF fighter jet carries out rare strike on target in West Bank city of Jenin The Times of Israel Votiro Keeps Up the Momentum in 2024 Security Boulevard Enabling Continuous Zero Trust in Multi-Cloud Environments with Netography Fusion Security Boulevard An inspector general warned the Justice Department of gaps in its security clearance appeals process Government Executive Multnomah County Signs $40 Million Contract for Armed and Unarmed Security at County Facilities, Including Public ... Willamette Week A Free, Prosperous, and Secure Future for Ukraine - United States Department of State Department of State America's Envoy to the United Nations Gets 'Honest' With Security Council About the Fate of Hamas's Hostages The New York Sun Cybersecurity Insights with Contrast CISO David Lindner | 5/17/24 Security Boulevard Brothers Indicted for Stealing $25 Million of Ethereum in 12 Seconds Security Boulevard The Dell API Breach: It could have been prevented Security Boulevard The situation concerning Iraq - Security Council, 9628th meeting Welcome to the United Nations Response to CISA Advisory (AA24-131A): #StopRansomware: Black Basta Security Boulevard USENIX Security ’23 – AEX-Notify: Thwarting Precise Single-Stepping Attacks Through Interrupt Aware... Security Boulevard 'Abnormal' security video, Google Drive led to Stephan Sterns' arrest in Madeline Soto case, documents show WKMG News 6 & ClickOrlando JLOTS, an obscure Army-Navy capability, arrives in Gaza NavyTimes.com Making Safety and Security Intrinsic to School Design Campus Security Today U.S. Security Cooperation with Ukraine - United States Department of State Department of State Donald Trump to visit St. Paul. What are the security expenses? St. Paul Pioneer Press Belgium cuts off ticket sales for soccer match against Israel over ‘security concerns’ The Times of Israel Security fog machine helps deter burglars from Chatsworth business FOX 11 Los Angeles Galaxy Tab S9 lineup gets Android's May 2024 security update SamMobile - Samsung news French security forces impose 'calmer' situation in New Caledonia under emergency powers FRANCE 24 English EAM to India Inc: Use 'national security filter' in China deals The Times of India In first, UN Security Council holds meeting solely focused on hostages held by Hamas The Times of Israel |
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 |