Digital Espionage : Spyware
Brandon Burke
Is your computer acting strangely? Do you try to go to a web site and your browser takes you somewhere else? Do you have a toolbar on your browser that you do not want, and have no idea how to get rid of? Got pop-ups? If so your computer may be infected with spyware.
Spyware is software that installs itself to your computer (usually without permission or with its permissions buried deep in an end-user agreement). It then proceeds to track your surfing habits and transmit the information to third parties. Spyware can also cause other irritating things to happen, such as browser redirection, system slow down, and pop-ups.
Fortunately there are several handy programs to get rid of spyware. The most notable are Spybot Search and Destroy, Lavasoft Ad-aware SE, and most recently Microsoft Antispyware. These programs usually do a very good job of removing spyware from an infected computer. However, it is a good idea to run a combination of these programs as one may catch something that another has missed.
There is a small catch in the spyware information industry. Typically people who are giving you information about spyware/malware are doing so in order to get you to purchase their own company's product. Although their intentions may seem to be clear and fair, they may be misleading the consumer into a belief that their computer is more protected than it really is. As with all spyware/malware/antivirus products, the companies want you to believe that their product is the end-all, be-all solution to your problems. There are a few failures in that summation though: Not all products are created equally, not all products can catch ALL variants, and not all products are worthy of an install.
In the end, the answer is entirely in the hands of the end user to choose a product. My advice to the end-user is to not choose a product based on fear or lack of knowledge. True, the companies that are advertising to you know more about spyware/malware than you do... but they are also slanting their views to direct you towards their product over the competitor.
About the author: Brandon Burke is the Director of Network Operations and Security for an outsource technical support company (GTC, Inc.) based solely in the United States. For more information on GTC visit http://www.ygtc.com . For more helpful tips visit http://www.ygtc.com/newsletter/ . [This article is free for use as long as this biography and any active links in the biography are maintained.]
The latest information and news on Spyware Removal Advice :
In what appears to be just a bad headline, the business publication says that Microsoft plans to introduce spyware. (It's actually planning free antivirus software)
Court Slams Door On Sale of Spyware (Slashdot)
coondoggie writes "The Federal Trade Commission yesterday had a US District Court issue a temporary restraining order halting the sale of RemoteSpy keylogger spyware. According to the FTC's complaint, RemoteSpy spyware was sold to clients who would then secretly monitor unsuspecting consumers' computers. The defendants provided RemoteSpy clients with detailed instructions explaining how to ...
Phisher-besieged PayPal directs users to faux log-in page (The Register)
Error.com's missed opportunity PayPal, the online payment service that is a major target of phishers, has been caught sending customer emails that confuse its own login page with a third-party landing site that offers spyware protection and a bevy of other products.?
FTC get CyberSpy?s RemoteSpy banned in the U.S. (Geek.com)
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been successful in its bid to get the RemoteSpy spyware application released by CyberSpy Software banned in the U.S. For now the ban is temporary, but the FTC are pushing to make it permanent. The ban stems from a complaint (PDF) lodged by the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) back [...]
Microsoft to offer free anti-virus software (The Manila Times)
Microsoft has announced plans to offer free anti-virus software to PC users starting next year. The Redmond, Washington-based software giant said the software, code-named "Morro," will "provide comprehensive protection from malware including viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans."
Microsoft Will Replace OneCare with Security Software (NewsFactor via Yahoo! ...
Microsoft plans to stop accepting paid subscriptions to Windows Live OneCare in mid-2009. The security software is slated to be replaced by a free offering code-named Morro, which will focus on providing consumer PCs with core protection from viruses, spyware, rootkits, trojans and other forms of malware.
Microsoft to offer free security in 2009 (ITP.net)
?Morro? to protect Windows users from malware including viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans
Microsoft to offer free security software (MSNBC)
Microsoft Corp said Wednesday it will discontinue sales of its subscription PC security service and instead offer free software to help protect computers from viruses, spyware and other threats.
Court Orders Halt to Sale of Spyware (WAAY-TV Huntsville)
At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a U.S. District Court has issued a temporary restraining order halting the sale of keylogger spyware. According to the FTC's complaint, the Florida-based CyberSpy Software, LLC marketed and sold RemoteSpy keylogger spyware to clients who would then secretly monitor unsuspecting consumers' computers. The FTC seeks to permanently bar the unfair and ...
Microsoft to offer free security program (Sydney Morning Herald)
Microsoft to ditch its subscription PC security service and offer free software to protect computers from viruses, spyware and other threats.