Where Spyware Lurks on the Internet

Spyware has to be the most talked about PC security threat of 2005. It has now surpassed the computer virus as the No. 1 menace to computer user both at home and in the enterprise. Despite efforts from Microsoft and independent security software companies, the spyware menace is set to continue through 2006 and beyond. The research firm Radicati Group expect worldwide anti-spyware revenue to surpass $1 billion by 2010.

There are numerous types of spyware with some more dangerous than others. At one end of the spectrum spyware pushes annoying ads to your computer as is usually referred as “Adware.” It is still spyware as the ads are generally pushed to you based on your surfing habits. A bad infection can also dramatically impact your computer’s performance as your desktop slowly gets overwhelmed with pop up adverts.

At the other end of the spectrum spyware programs can record what you do on your computer including individual key strokes. This information is then shared with a third party. This data is then sold to marketing companies or used to profit from. For example, the program may have captured your bank log-in details or credit card information.

Profit from these activities drives spyware development and deployment. According to anti-spyware vendor Webroot Inc advertising revenue generated from spyware is much more lucrative than trying to generate profit through Spam Email.

Here are the common ways spyware gets onto your computer:

• Bundled with free software like screensavers or P2P file sharing programs which you download. For example Kazaa, a P2P file-sharing application, installs adware onto a user’s computer even though it claims to contain “no spyware.” Waterfalls 3 from Screensaver.com installs spyware and Trojan horses. Examples are courtesy of a report from StopBadware.org’s website.
• Opening Spam email attachments.
• Being enticed into clicking on links in pop up adverts which then downloads spyware. These pop ups usually display messages to do with winning money or entering a special prize drawer.
• “Drive-by downloading” – this is when spyware is automatically downloaded onto your computer from the website you are surfing.

Earlier this year a report published by the University of Washington revealed categories of websites which are mostly like to host spyware or infect users through “drive-by downloads.” Their research revealed the following categories:

• Gaming sites
• Music download sites (I interpret this to mean “illegal” music sharing sites like dailymp3.com or where you can find P2P applications)
• Adult sites
• Celebrity sites
• Wallpaper / screensaver sites

Here are some tips and strategies to reduce the chance of spyware infection:

• Switch on your browser’s pop blocker.
• Install an anti-spyware tool with active protection which helps prevent infection in the first place.
• Keep Windows and other Microsoft applications like office up to date with the latest patches.
• Use SiteAdvisor (http://www.siteadvisor.com). This is a free plug-in for your browser which tells you whether a site is safe or not based on their testing. This is new software which is highly recommended.
• If you are a frequent visitor of the high risk categories please consider changing your surfing habits or at least making sure your system is fully protected.

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Detect Spyware and Adware and Remove It Without Spending a Dime

Adware and spyware have become a world-wide computer problem from using the World Wide Web. They have turned into malware because of their viral and extremely hostile behavior. Along with the hazards of identity theft and deceit at hand on the Internet, adware and spyware can be other than merely irritating. Here are some methods to detect spyware and adware and remove or merely avoid the adware and spyware and not outlay a dime on the most recent "anti-virus" software, such as Spyware Nuker.

1. USE Firefox. If you don't use the Internet very much, then maybe you don't understand a good deal concerning Firefox. All you need to comprehend is that it is a browser that performs VERY nicely and has excellent security protection.

2. DO NOT USE Microsoft Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer is similar to Swiss cheese. It seems to have an endless supply of security holes. Microsoft is ceaselessly sending out patches to fix all the flaws in the Internet Explorer 6.X and prior versions of the browser. Even though it can be "secured" by adding to thesecurity it may give away much of its functionality when set to highest security when specific exploitable features are turned off.

3. Use a software or hardware firewall (not only Windows XP Service Pack 2's firewall). This may be thought to be expensive and difficult to do but it is not. If you use a DSL or broadband cable connection your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may have issued you a DSL/Cable router that has a a firewall included with it. All you need to do is switch it on. This may force you to spend a few minutes to read the instructions.

If your ISP did not deliver you a DSL or Cable broadband router that includes a firewall you can shell out anywhere from $20 -$60 (or occasionally even cheaper when it includes a mail-in rebate) to get a router. If you use DSL you would require a DSL router. If you use Cable broadband ISP you would need a Cable Router. Brands such as Linksys have already built in firewalls and a feature known as NAT, Network Address Translation, which is extremely effective because it hides your actual IP address from the Internet. All routers are sold with directions on how to hook them up. If you desire to maintain you computer security free, merely use a free software firewall.

4. Detect Spyware and Adware using free Anti-spyware, anti-adware software. Lavasoft's Adaware and Spybot Search & Destroy are two superb methods of restoring your system for free. Majorgeeks.com is a favorite and trustworthy freeware website that has these and several additional outstanding spyware/adware cleaning and malware preventing software (including free downloadable firewalls).

The best approach is to use ALL of the options. Remaining proactive by surfing using a suitable browser and obtaining a firewall is critical, but it likewise helps to beware of other good anti-adware/spyware applications. If you get hit with a genuinely foul bit of malware that can not be cleaned using Adaware or Spybot, dig up yourself a geek. There are numerous big forums on the Internet committed to accomplishing nothing but to detect spyware and adware and remove them and other malware. In all likelihood if your computer is contaminated with it, hundreds of others prior to you have been contaminated and have previously figured out how to get rid of the malware.

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