How to Combat Spyware
What Is Spyware And Why Should I Care?
Let's be clear: Spyware is a widespread problem. A recent report
found nearly one in three computers infected with spyware of
some sort. An earlier survey from the same companies found the
average computer touched by spyware typically is crammed with
nearly 28 separate instances of it.
One of the challenges of tracking spyware and adware is that, as
relatively new problems to deal with, there's little agreement
on how to define the problem or the software responsible for it.
It even goes by different names: spyware, adware, or malware. So
let's try to bring a little clarity to the situation.
What all of these types of software have in common is that,
through various means, they become installed on a user's system
and perform some sort of background process. That's where things
get tricky.
One type of software, so-called adware, is delivered by
legitimate companies and in most cases with the express
agreement of the user. Here's a typical scenario: A user
downloads a piece of software such as a peer-to-peer
file-trading application. The user has the option of paying for
the software or, alternatively, agreeing to view pop-up ads in
exchange for a free version of the software. A couple of clicks
and two pieces of software--the P-to-P software AND the
adware--get installed on the system.
From that point on, the adware software observes a user's Web
surfing and pops up relevant ads based on those habits. The user
gets free software, and advertisers get access to highly
targeted ad recipients.
So everyone's happy, right? Wrong. In too many cases, users fail
to read the fine print or understand precisely what they're
agreeing to have downloaded to their systems. In addition, users
often end up with multiple adware apps on their systems, the
combination of which can cause conflicts or system slowdown.
Makers of adware--including Claria, DoubleClick, Tacoda, and
WhenU--strongly contend that they're running legitimate, opt-in
businesses and enabling users to get something valuable
(typically a software application) in exchange for viewing a few
ads. According to Jupiter Research, nearly 12% of companies that
advertise online make use of some type of adware software.
Whether such ad networks will ultimately survive in their
current form remains to be seen (though Claria, for one,
recently filed to go public).
Regardless, less-legitimate forms of spyware are likely to
continue to proliferate. And they can do significant damage:
Malware can change system or registry settings; "hijackers"
redirect users or reset home pages to specific Web sites;
"dialers" make for-fee calls to online services; Trojan horses
sneak unwanted software onto your PC; "collect-ware" keeps tabs
on your keystrokes and surfing habits.
The impact on IT should be obvious. While some spyware is
harmless, at a minimum it can slow the performance of individual
machines or frustrate users by altering the way their browsers
work. Badly infected computers can cease working altogether.
Most important--and problematic--managing spyware can become a
full-time task for IT departments, tapping manpower and
requiring the development of enterprise wide policies for
reining in its spread and impact.
What do I need to combat spyware?
Ad-Aware
Ad-Aware Personal provides advanced protection from known
data-mining, aggressive advertising, Trojans, dialers, malware,
browser hijackers, and tracking components. This software is
downloadable free of charge.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware
This software is possibly the best know of all.
Spybot Search and destroy
This is also a well known package and from people who have used
this package it is very good. How ever I have never used this
package.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/home/index.html
NoAdware
This also a very good package to help keep on top of the spyware
problem.
http://www.noadware.net/
There are also many other packages on the internet that offer
the same functions that the above do. Like all software it
really comes do to which you feel is right for you.
About the author:
A webhost with 20 years in installing,upgarding and repairing
computers. Our site can be found
here:http://www.007-webhosting.co.uk
Written by: Paul Hardy