Adware: Are Your Business's Computers Secure?
Joel Walsh
Adware, software dedicated to displaying advertising, can really slow down any business that depends on computers. Adware promoters use some cunning tricks to get you to install their software on your machine. Here's what to look out for.
Adware is, by definition, something reasonable people don't want on their computers. That's why adware can't just come out and ask people to install it. Often, the computer owner is completely unaware of it being installed. But not always.
When adware doesn't want to sneak in through an open window, it will try to trick you into letting it in through the front door. Don't think you could be tricked? Don't be so sure until you've checked out these most common ways people have been tricked into allowing malware to be installed on their machines.
Adware Installation Trick 1: Piggybacking
How it works: malware may come bundled with a legitimate piece of software the user actually wants, such as a game or emoticon. The malware is merely labeled "companion software," without any indication of what it will do.
How to fight it: the fact that adware so often comes bundled with "entertainment" software, most notably the file-swapping program Kazaa, is a very good reason to separate business from personal when it comes to computing. But adware can sometimes comes bundled with non-entertainment software, such as search tools or cracks of legitimate business software. Be very suspicious of any software that comes bundled with other software. Don't installed software that comes bundled with other software unless you know everything that the bundled software does. After all, if the bundled program has anything to do with the program you actually want, why couldn't the software developer just get both programs' functionalities into a single piece of software? Software developers are now very sensitive to malware concerns and will provide a lengthy explanation of just why the bundled software is necessary, in the cases when they actually do need to use bundled software.
Adware Installation Trick 2: Bait and Switch
How it works: since people are getting more and more suspicious of bundled software, the program's developers may simply label it as valuable software, for instance, a browser plugin that supposedly accelerates web browsing (but in reality only shows ads).
How to fight it: again, a suspicious mind is useful in avoiding malware. Ask yourself some questions:
* What will this software actually do? Adware and adware-bundled software often come with very fuzzy claims attached. Sure, it says it will improve your browsing experience, but how? Often, this improved browsing experience just means a browsing experience with more advertising.
* If the software is so great, why is it being given away free? Most commonly, software is only given out free in two cases: if it's OpenSource (designed by a community of developers and not proprietary-OpenSource software is always clearly labeled as such); or simply a come-on for a fuller-featured version of the software. If neither case is true, there's a real chance the software is financed by adware.
Adware Installation Trick 3: Outright Lying
How it works: adware may even be labeled as something else entirely, such as a well-known piece of software or a crucial component of the computer operating system.
How to fight it: this is the trickiest adware of all, and requires extreme caution. You don't want to start deleting any of your program files, much less your system registry entries, unless you're absolutely sure it's malware. Plenty of overzealous parasite hunters have shot their own machines to bits this way. This is one case where you want to be using an anti-spyware program, and preferably a second anti-spyware program to provide a second opinion.
Getting Rid of Adware
Adware is so tricky that trying to uninstall it by yourself could be like a trip into the Matrix. Luckily, there are good anti-spyware programs that tackle adware as well-after all many adware programs are also spyware since they monitor your internet usage.
True, it may feel like adding insult to injury to have to install more software to get rid of software you never meant to install in the first place. But keeping your computer free of adware is just one new cost of doing business.
About the author: Joel Walsh has written a companion article on stealth tactics used in adware installation at: http://www.spyware-refuge.com
The latest information and news on Spyware Removal Advice :
If 7Search wins, you lose In a case that could tie the hands of companies trying to protect their customers from internet threats, a website owner with past ties to a notorious piece of spyware has filed a lawsuit claiming it is being unfairly maligned by warnings from McAfee that the site poses a risk to its customers.?
IronPort research reveals link between malware botnets and illegal online pha...
IronPort Systems, a leading provider of enterprise spam, virus, and spyware protection and a Cisco Systems subsidiary, revealed a link between malware botnets and illegal pharmaceutical supply chain businesses that recruit botnets to send spam that promote their websites.
BitDefender Offers Computer Security Tips in Response to Major Consumer Magaz...
In response to a leading US consumer magazine's recent article indicating that U.S. consumers lost nearly $8.5 billion dollars to e-threats, BitDefender has released its top ten tips to secure computers against spam, viruses, phishing and spyware.
Review: PC Tools Spyware Doctor with Antivirus 6 security software (Computer ...
Spyware Doctor with Antivirus 6 is the latest in a series of security applications from PC Tools designed to protect your PC from a range of spyware and virus threats.
Report Slams U.S. Host as Major Source of Badware (Washington Post)
Last week, I examined a series of Web services that make profiting from cyber crime a point-and-click exercise that even the most novice hackers can master. Today, I'd like to highlight the activities of Atrivo, a Concord, Calif., based network provider that hosts some of these services. Several noted security researchers are releasing a report today that stems from many months of investigating ...
BitDefender Uncovers FedEx(R) Spyware (Marketwire via Yahoo! Finance)
BitDefender researchers have identified a new large spam wave featuring abusive use of the delivery company's name to deceive users into downloading extremely dangerous malware.
/ KILL - BitDefender (Marketwire via Yahoo! Finance)
Editors and other readers are advised to disregard the news release with the headline, "BitDefender Uncovers FedEx® Spyware," issued earlier today by BitDefender. A revised press release will be issued.
Aladdin rejects Vector Capital buyout offers (AP via Yahoo! Finance)
Security company Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd. said it is rejecting offers from Vector Capital to buy the company and its digital rights management business, saying both bids are too low.
Public Sharing and a New Strategy in Fighting Cyber Crime (CircleID)
A couple of years ago I started a mailing list where folks not necessarily involved with the vetted, trusted, closed and snobbish circles of cyber crime fighting (some founded by me) could share information and be informed of threats.
Simpkins to major at OSU (The Sidney Daily News)
Michael Simpkins, a 2008 graduate of Lehman Catholic High School, has been accepted to Ohio State University in Columbus this fall.