Spyware: What you should know

Spyware can enter your computer through many covert routes: instant messenger, email and through clicked popup ads. A little known mode of infection is to install the software during the installation of other software you have chosen to download such as music or plug-ins. Be warned to read all disclosures whenever you install something on your system . Yes, we know that this sounds boring and time consuming, but what you may not realize is that the inclusion of spyware is sometimes written right into the license agreement or privacy statement. By simply agreeing to a user agreement, you may be unwittingly saying yes to spyware!

How Do Antispyware Programs Work?

Antispyware programs work through a process of "real time" protection. This process is similar to the way antivirus programs work- preventing the programs from entering your system. Through continuously scanning and monitoring all actions of your PC antispyware programs block incoming threats as soon as they arise, so that no infiltration occurs.

If your PC is already infected with spyware, antispyware programs can remove it. You can schedule weekly, monthly or daily scans to monitor whether or not your system is infected. If found, the program will remove the spyware.

Some programs offer both methods of protection discussed above. If you are in the market for an antispyware solution you may want to buy one with real time protection and interval scanning options. Essentially you will be able to protect from spyware and remove spyware that sneaks into your system. It's the best of both worlds.

Look Out! Programs with spyware...

Notable programs formerly distributed with spyware

AOL Instant Messenger (AOL Instant Messenger still packages Viewpoint Media Player, and WildTangent)
DivX (except for the paid version, and the "standard" version without the encoder). DivX announced removal of GAIN software from version 5.2
FlashGet (trial version prior to program being made freeware)

Stolen Computer?

What would you do if your computer was stolen? If you're like many people having your computer stolen is not impossible. Do you take your laptop to coffee shops? Do you store it in your car at times? Often personal computers are stolen from vehicles or from unattended tables at restaurants, coffee shops or libraries. In the worst cases computers are stolen from homes. If this were to happen to you, would you be prepared. Is your data stored and backed up? Or, would your treasured music, files and personal information be lost forever? We hope that you back up your files periodically. You can't know the future, and if you should find your valuable computer stolen, we hope you'll have your data safely stored away.

Browser Hijackers- More Information

We have described, in previous blogs, browser hijacks and just how annoying and interrupting they are. A browser hijacker occurs when the normal settings of your browser are "hijacked" and forcibly changed to new homepages. These new homepages may be different search engines, an advertising page or even a pornographic site. Imagine, your young child could log in to the computer and pornography could flash in their face! This is a dangerous problem. Basically, the point of a browser hijack is to redirect you to a web site for the purposes of inflating web traffic which in turn generates higher revenues from advertisers. Sometimes you can change the homepage back to its desired default by simply clicking into the Internet Options section in your browser. However, sometimes making the switch is much more difficult.
In some cases, these changes are reversible simply by going into Internet options and switching them back. Not always, however. Sometimes you have to edit settings in windows registry. For more difficult browser hijackers you'll need an anti-spyware solution to sort out and repair the damage.

Types of Spyware

Spyware is cunning and sometimes vicious software that gains access to your system without permission. It can extract secure and private information from you, making you vulnerable to Internet crime and theft. Typically spyware is categorized in two ways- as commercial or as domestic. Domestic spyware is that which is installed by a computer user. A user might do this to keep tabs on those operating within the network. This is how employers monitor employee's activities etc. Sometimes parents use Domestic spyware to monitor children's activities. Police departments sometimes use it to investigate potential criminal activity. Commercial spyware is
that which other sources, like companies looking to sell products, use to track your Internet habits. They use this information to target marketing to you. This is a lucrative tactic for advertisers, but is an infringement on your privacy as well, according to some opponents.

Cybercrime

Cybercrime refers to any crime that is committed through the use of a computer. The crime may be intended at the user or may be committed by the user. Cybercrime is a blanket term used to describe many crimes that occur as a result of Internet use. A user may unknowingly download a Trojan while downloading a new song from a file sharing program. The Trojan may log your keystrokes and send the sensitive information off to be exploited. Cybercrime can be the result of a virus infiltration or spyware infection.