Spyware/Adware

Spyware and adware are major threats to computer stability, efficiency and security. Here are some of the symptoms of spyware and related programs as described by Microsoft:

• A surge of pop-up ads.
• Changes to your home page or search page settings in your internet browser.
• Changes to the toolbars in your internet browser.
• Slowing down and/or crashing of your computer.

More information at:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/spyware/indicators.aspx

Spyware can pursue several goals: in its most "innocent" form, it can be designed to follow your internet browsing habits and target you for ads; in its less innocent forms, it can be designed to record keystrokes (including account names and passwords) and convey them to malicious parties for identity theft and other similar purposes. And in either case, spyware is likely to cause degradation of your computer's performance.

Often, spyware is installed as the result of the "agreement" you make with software providers when you download their free programs. Various peer-to-peer music collecting programs may explicitly spell out the adware and spyware that you are going to be exposed to - pay careful attention to the agreement that you accept to gain access to their software. Some spyware is installed without any notification at all, perhaps as a result of visiting a certain web site, and runs without your knowing that it has been installed. Some is installed under the pretense of being anti-spyware software.

1. Download and frequently run Ad-Aware and/or Spybot Search and Destroy (from a trustworthy site such as download.cnet.com/windows/). These free programs are good at detecting spyware and adware that have already been installed on your computer. Sometimes you may have to run them in safe mode in order to rid yourself of particularly stubborn programs. (If you need help getting to safe mode, look at the Windows help file.) You should run the anti-spyware programs regularly, making sure that you update the software each time to get the latest spyware definitions. If you purchase the complete versions, spyware and adware will be detected and hopefully blocked upon entering your computer.

2. Run all the critical Windows Updates (there are optional ones that you do not need to worry about, and they may in fact cause problems). SP3 is a special case among critical updates for Windows XP. Before you run the SP3 update, check with your computer manufacturer about what problems may result and any special procedures you should follow.

3. Turn on the built-in firewall that comes with Windows XP. See the Windows help file for instructions on setting it up.

4. You can adjust the security settings in Internet Explorer. If you change the setting to "high", a large number of ads and invasive gimmicks will be filtered out. If necessary, check the help file in Internet Explorer for instructions on how to change the security settings.

5. Be careful about what agreements you accept when downloading software - read the text of the agreements. You may be surprised by what you are agreeing to - you may be opening up your computer for a virtual takeover by outsiders. Peer-to-peer music download sites are noted for this.

6. When you receive unsolicited announcements from unknown sources stating that you are infected with spyware, click the "x" in the upper right corner to exit the browser. Sometimes the "OK" or other such boxes are deceptively programmed to cause a spyware download.

7. Be extremely cautious about entering important personal data online. If you did not navigate to the web site but were directed to the site by a link in an email or an advertisement, you probably should not enter any personal data. This is because there is a very harmful practice (called "phishing") in which a dishonest person or group sends out emails purporting to be from a certain well-known bank or institution - the email asks the recipients to go to a certain site to fill in personal information. That site is a masquerade - it is not in fact affiliated with any bank or legitimate institution, but is a carefully planned imitation that will solicit and collect personal information that is then used for identity theft. The safest way to do online business with a bank or other such organization is to go to its home page and follow the appropriate links rather than to get there from an email link or advertisement. Many secure sites will have https:// in the URL.

8. Consider downloading an internet security suite.