CYBER NOTES by Dave Benore
DO YOU HAVE SPYWARE ON YOUR COMPUTER?
Last month we discussed what to do when things go wrong. Well—here is a new wrinkle. You have heard of computer viruses. These are programs written by smart programmers who can’t find something productive to do. People get them from email attachments, sometimes the email itself, and sometimes from downloading things from the Internet. Antivirus software was developed to effectively combat this threat and it is very successful for those who use it—and keep it up to date. Now comes a new threat that can be worse—spyware.
Spyware is successor name for adware. Adware started as somewhat innocuous little programs that kept track of what kind of ads or web sites to which a computer user would respond, or click on. The adware would then report that over the Internet, without the knowledge of the user, to a web site that would in turn tailor popup ads and send them back to the user. Adware could actually be kind of helpful in showing stuff the computer user was interested in.
However, like too many good ideas, adware was perverted into spyware. Spyware is a class of programs that infect a computer like a virus, but with different intentions. Spyware can change your operating system, record your Internet viewing habits, and steal your passwords and credit card numbers. The stolen information is passed along, without your knowledge, to unscrupulous people. The worst of the spyware can invade your privacy and steal your identity!
Spyware programs, like viruses, are downloaded onto your computer without your knowledge. They come through emails and downloads from web sites. More than ever before, do NOT download anything unless you trust the web site—and you have moved to the web site yourself, rather than clicking on a offered link. An offered link may be disguised, taking one to somewhere different than labeled. Search engines like Google are exceptions to this rule. Also, don’t open emails from unknown sources.
Spyware (adware) has grown exponentially. The numbers of new adware programs found, by year, are as follows—in 1999, 3; in 2000, 13; in 2001, 13; in 2002, 320; and in 2003, 1287! PestPatrol, a maker of spyware removal programs, says that over 78,000 spyware programs exist. This number includes adware, which tracks browsing habits and serves up ads, key loggers (logging keyboard key strokes) that can record passwords and credit card numbers, and Trojan horses that can provide hackers access to your computer over the Internet. (Trojan horses are also considered a form of virus.) One can see that this new threat must not be ignored.
The good news is that, like antivirus programs, software is now becoming available to combat spyware. It’s still fairly new so it’s not perfect yet, but the big software companies are now getting into the anti-spyware business. So what does a person do?
First, use a good antivirus program and keep it up to date. Viruses will always be with us. Second, use a good firewall program. Good firewalls will stop Trojan horses and help combat spyware. Keep it up to date also. Well known companies like Norton and McAfee make both good antivirus programs and good firewalls. At this time however, these programs do not combat all kinds of spyware. They may in the future, but not yet. Third and last, install the best spyware detection and removal program you can find—and keep it up to date.
PC Magazine recently (Mar. 2, 2004 issue) ran an article reporting on tests of spyware detection and removal software. The magazine found that the best free software of this type is called “Spybot Search & Destroy 1.2” (www.safer-networking.org). It does a fine job of blocking downloads of spyware. The best overall available software, according to PC Magazine, is a program called “Spy Sweeper 2.2” by Webroot Software Inc. (www.webroot.com), at a cost of $29.95 for a one year subscription. It may be the best $29.95 you ever spent, especially if you shop online by credit card.
(Note: While encryption prevents someone from stealing your credit card number while it is being sent over the Internet, it does not stop a keylogger spyware program on your own computer from recording your keystrokes and then sending that information on to others.)
On a lighter note, do you know why blind people don’t like to sky dive? It scares the dog! Ciao!
