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Preventing Malicious Spyware or Adware from Hijacking Your Computer
By Steven Presar

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it had
used existing fair trade laws in asking a federal court to
shut down some of the leading distributors of malicious
"spyware" or "adware" software. This type of malicious
software may be lumped with viruses, worms, and spam, and is
all referred to as "malware" - short for malicious software.

What Are Spyware and Adware Software?

Spyware and adware are software that is installed on your
computer, generally without your knowledge, that monitors or
controls your computer's use. The software may send pop-up
ads, redirect you to an un-requested website while you are
on the Internet, monitor your Internet activity or record
your keystrokes while you are online. This recording of
keystrokes may lead to identity theft or credit card fraud.

The terms "spyware" and "adware" are the essentially same
type of software. They are software that you may not be
aware of running on your computer.

The online marketers who distribute this type of software
maintain that you have downloaded the software to help them
better service your Internet marketing needs. They would
also state that you received their software as part of
another free software package that you downloaded and
installed. Lastly, that during the download process, that
you clicked on the "agree" button, where there was their
statement that you would accept online pop-up ads for their
advertised products.

This same software that have victimized individuals with a
mysterious change in their opening Internet page, a new
default search engine, an avalanche of pop-up ads while
online, computer slow downs or a computer crash - know the
software as spyware.

Any unsolicited software that runs on your computer is
malicious spyware software.

Spyware Distribution

Regardless of what it is called -- your computer is infected
just the same.

Simply clicking on a banner ad can install spyware software.
Worms, which are self-propagating viruses, can also carry
spyware. They search for machines that don't have up-to-date
security patches and install their crippling software.
Spyware may also be distributed by email.

As stated before the biggest method of distributing spyware
is to secretly bundle it with free software that you
download from the Internet. Sites that offer music sharing,
videos, weather data, games, screen savers, a tool bar, or
program that synchronizes your computer's clock often are
paid to distribute this spyware as adware.

File sharing programs like Kazaa have adware bundled right 
in the package download.

Before these programs are installed, you must click a box
saying you accept the contractual agreement. These
agreements can be thousands of words long and people rarely
read them. Upon closer examination, however, they find
that accepting pop-up ad serving software is part of
getting the package.

Another common method is a message saying you need to
download ActiveX to view a website or email note. Don't do
it! It's just another method to get you to click yes to
their adware.

Sometimes the presentation is an outright counterfeit of a
Microsoft agreement or some other recognizable document. A
safe rule to follow: If you're not sure what it is, don't
click yes. Cancel out of the program any way you can, even
if it means rebooting your computer.

Unlike virus writers, who mainly want to infect as many
computers as they can just so they can brag, spyware
distribution firms have a financial incentive to have their
software stay on your computer as long as possible. The more
of their ads that they load onto your computer screen, the
more likely that you will click on one of the ads.

Is Your Computer Infected

To eliminate spyware, you must track down every file and
completely erase it. That can be tough since spyware hides
inside your computer's operating system, making it difficult
to find.

If you suspect that your computers is infected and want to
search the Internet for an "anti-spyware" solution -- be
careful.

A Google search will return over 1,500,000 results for "anti 
spyware software". You will get about 749,000 hits for the 
phrase "anti-spyware software". Some companies that offer
anti-spyware software solutions also make spyware software.
Who else would know how to remove spyware then the makers of
spyware software? Their anti-spyware software may remove a
version of spyware on your computer but discretely load a
more current version of their spyware to be launched in a
few days after you had thought that you had cleaned-up your
spyware problem on your computer.

You may download three free spyware cleaning programs at:

~ Ad-Aware (www.lavasoftusa.com),

~ Spybot (www.security.kolla.de), and

~ CWshredder
(http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html)

Before you run any of these, use their automatic update
feature to get the latest protection. Some users report
better results when they make repeated passes with each of
the three programs.

Cleaners can remove most of an infection, rendering it
temporarily inactive. But components sometimes remain that
download more files and re-infect your computer. Sometimes
it helps to disconnect from the Internet, then reboot after
you run the cleaner. If you know how to manage a fire wall
like Zone Alarm, you may be able to use it to prevent
persistent spyware from reconstituting itself.

If your computer is so bogged down with spyware, you may
have trouble downloading the anti-spyware products before
your computer crashes. In that case, you may have to obtain
the programs from another computer with a CD burner, and
then load the software onto your troubled computer using a
CD.

Scan your hard drive at least once a week with two or more
anti-spyware programs because each is likely to find files
the other overlooks.

Ongoing Anti-Spyware Protection

To prevent future infections, never click on any popup ads
or the body of any spam emails. Try closing unwanted pop-up
ads using Alt-F4 in Windows. The Alt-F4 is a keystroke
combination that decreases the risk you'll click on a
disguised button to close a window that will actually open
another window.

Keep your computer up to date with the latest security
patches. Microsoft offers free updates at
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com, and free CDs can be
ordered for users on slow-speed dial-up.

Windows recently announced the release of XP's Service Pack
2, which provides additional security measures such as a
limited spyware blocker and a firewall.

Protection is an ongoing process since spyware makers are
constantly creating new threats. You may download a good
computer resources manager and security manager at,
(www.onlinesoftwareguide.com/wintask).

Install a personal firewall. ZoneAlarm from Zone Labs has a
free basic firewall for personal use. Symantec and McAfee
sell popular personal firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware
software.

Next, set the computer's operating system for daily security
updates.

Also set the Web browser to a medium or high-security level.
For Windows, go to Microsoft's Web site for instructions.
Windows XP users should install Service Pack 2, which makes
it close to impossible for software to be downloaded without
you being alerted. Consider switching to a browser less
popular than Internet Explorer, such as Mozilla Firefox
(mozilla.org) or Opera (opera.com). They are less likely to
be attacked.

If you have any problems implementing any of the above, be
sure to contact your computer consultant.

Finally, practice safe surfing. That means downloading only
trustworthy software, reading licensing agreements, avoiding
banner ads, and deleting all spam without opening.

Tips for Protecting You and Your Computer

:: Do not click "yes" when an Active X dialog box keeps
   popping up unless you know exactly what you're downloading.

:: Do not open, and delete, any suspicious email messages.

:: Do not fill out any web forms asking for your social
   security number, driver's license, email passwords, bank
   account information, or your mother's maiden name.

:: Do not download or install any software unless you know
   and trust the source 100%.

:: Do not give your email address to anyone you don't know.

:: Clear out cookies and other tracking data on your computer.

:: Try using disposable email accounts when filling out forms
   on the Internet.

:: Do not enter any sweepstakes or contests online. Most of
   them capture your personal information and sell it to third
   party vendors.

:: Install software to counter-attack Spyware, Adware, Spam
   and pop-up ads.

:: You can file a complaint about unsolicited spyware software 
   with the FTC at: www.ftc.gov. Click on "File a Complaint."

Websites That You Can Trust To Help

- Ad-Aware (www.lavasoftusa.com)
- Spybot (http://www.security.kolla.de)
- CWshredder
  (http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html)
- WinTask, Manages Resources and Improves Security
  (http://www.onlinesoftwareguide.com/wintask)
- Download of anti-spyware software (http://www.download.com)
- Spyware information tools, tips, and vendor for Trend
  Micro software (http://www.housecall.trendmicro.com)
- McAfee anti-virus and anti-spyware software
  (http://www.mcafee.com)
- Windows security patches and spyware protection
  information (http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/viruses)
- Virus and spyware scans (http://www.pcpitstop.com)
- Lists software that may spread spyware                     
  (http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm)
- Norton spyware information (http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/)
- Spy Sweeper anti-spyware (http://www.webroot.com)
- Zonelabs firewall (http://www.zonelabs.com)

 Copyright Steven Presar

================================================================ 
Steven Presar is a recognized small business technology coach, 
Internet publisher, author, speaker, and trainer. He provides 
personal, home, and computer security solutions at 
www.ProtectionConnect.com. He provides business software reviews 
at www.OnlineSoftwareGuide.com. In addition, he publishes 
articles for starting and running a small business at 
www.Agora-Business-Center.com. Be sure to sign-up for the SOHO 
newsletter at this site.
================================================================

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