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Is Spyware Watching You?
Imagine my surprise when I received a phone call from a friend who told me he'd been the victim of a "spyware" attack that left him shaking at his loss of privacy. I listened to his horror story with a sympathetic ear, but I felt secure since I carry anti-virus software and a firewall (both by Norton). At his suggestion - and to my surprise - I ran a program called "Spy Sweeper" and found a veritable minefield of dangerous and harmful programs lurking on my computer. "Spyware" is software that gets onto your computer and literally "spies" on your activities. The spying can range from relatively harmless use of cookies tracking you across multiple websites... to extremely dangerous "keystroke loggers" which record passwords, credit cards, and other personal data. That data then gets relayed to the person who put the software on your computer. Three primary types of spyware exist to complicate your online life, including: 1. "cookies" Cookies represent mostly a danger of lost privacy. In theory, someone could use a "cookie" to track you across multiple sites, combine that data with several databases, and figure out a lot more information about you than would make you comfortable. "Adware" tracks more than just your movement across sites, it spies on your installed software and computer habits to then serve up advertising, modify websites before you see them, and generally do things without your knowledge with the intention of trying to get you to buy things. "Keystroke loggers" and other malicious programs exist for one purpose: to cause personal mayhem and financial damage. Spyware gets on your computer in one of several different ways. First, it rides along with software you download from the 'Net and install on your system. Second, they come as email attachments (much like viruses) and automatically install themselves on your computer when you open the email message. Third, hackers find an open port on your computer and use the "back door" to install basically anything they want. And fourth, the more malicious types, like keystroke loggers, can even get installed by someone with direct physical access to your computer such as an employer, suspicious spouse, business competitor, or someone who wants to know exactly what you're doing. Now, suppose you carry an up-to-date anti-virus program and a firewall - shouldn't that represent potent protection? In a word: NO! I can personally attest that even the most up-to-date anti- virus programs and firewalls will not (repeat, WILL NOT) catch all the spyware that can infest your computer. You need a program that specifically scans your system for the tens-of-thousands of existing spyware programs along with the new ones appearing daily. Check out "Spy Sweeper" from webroot.com - this is the program I used to discover the spyware on my computer. One thing I noticed, however, is that this program is a memory hog, so once I scanned, I turned it off and then use it 2-3 times a week... not the best strategy, but I want to give you the "whole" picture. I also got the following recommendations from numerous subscribers about 2 programs to specifically help identify and remove spyware from your system (PC): 1. "Ad Aware" from lavasoft.de The overwhelmingly recommended firewall suggested by readers was Zone Alarm Pro from Zone Labs => http://www.ebookfire.com/zonealarm.html The bottom line seems pretty simple (but lengthy) if you want to protect yourself against this growing threat. ~ Keep your anti-virus program current (c) Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved About the Author: Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist (www.TheNetReporter.com">http://www.TheNetReporter.com) and is the author of several best-selling ebooks, information products and software programs. Simple "Traffic Machine" brings Thousands of NEW visitors to your website for weeks, even months... without spending a dime on advertising! ==> www.turnwordsintotraffic.com">Turn Words Into Traffic
MORE RESOURCES: Japan ramps up mobile web security - PhoneContent.com PhoneContent.com Japan ramps up mobile web security PhoneContent.com, Norway - Publ.Date : Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:33:44 GMT ContentWatch Expands Its Line of Web Security Appliances, Adds ... - Business Wire (press release) ContentWatch Expands Its Line of Web Security Appliances, Adds ... Business Wire (press release), CA - Publ.Date : Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:18:59 GMT Web security co ForeScount raises $8m - Globes Web security co ForeScount raises $8m Globes, Israel - Publ.Date : Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:27:32 GMT Google ships open-source Web security assessment tool - ZDNet ZDNet Google ships open-source Web security assessment tool ZDNet - Publ.Date : Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:41:25 GMT Google Gives Away Free Web Application Security Scanner - PC World Google Gives Away Free Web Application Security Scanner PC World - Publ.Date : Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:23:58 GMT Google Gives Away Web App Security Tool - Slashdot Google Gives Away Web App Security Tool Slashdot - Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:24:16 GMT Browser Competition Good for Security - IT Business Edge OverTheLimit.info Browser Competition Good for Security IT Business Edge, KY - Publ.Date : Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:29:23 GMT |
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Adware and Spyware: The Problems and Their Solutions The Threat10 years ago you could probably have run no Internet security applications and still have come out after a browse of the Internet with a virus and malware free computer, but this situation is no longer apparent. Several years ago, before I knew of the dangers of the Internet, I had absolutely no spyware or adware protection. The Saga of the Annoying Adware When we think of adware, what comes to mind are those annoying and pesky ads that pop up out of nowhere whenever we are surfing the net. Anybody who has surfed through the net has encountered those irritating pop-up adwares advertising everything from computer software down to Viagra. Internet Shopping - How Safe Is It? Millions of people make purchases online, but many people are still wary. They fear the unknown and have many doubts and questions about who they are dealing with. Are You Surfing Safe? Ok, you've got a computer, and you get online. You surf your favorite sites, Sports, Shopping, Cowchip Tossing Blogs, and so on. Web Browsing - Collected Information You may not realize it, but as you are surfing the web all sorts of details are being left behind about your computer and where you have been. Most of this information is used harmlessly in website statistics, but it could also be used to profile you, or identify you as a vulnerable target for an exploit. Ransom Trojan Uses Cryptography for Malicious Purpose Every day millions of people go online to find information, to do business, to have a good time. Alas, some people go there to commit crimes as well. Clown Internet Scam - An Internet Scam is Currently Targeting Clowns and Other Entertainers I am the victim of an internet scam. It is very hard to write that sentence, but it's necessary in order to warn my fellow clowns, magicians and other entertainers, and to prevent them from being taken for $2,800. Computer-Virus Writers: A Few Bats In The Belfry? "Male. Obsessed with computers. Firewall Protection - Does Your Firewall Do This? The first thing people think about when defending their computers and networks is an up-to-date antivirus program. Without this most basic protection, your computer will get a virus, which could just slow it down or potentially bring the pc to a complete standstill! So anti-virus software is the answer? An anti-virus solution on it's own is not the answer to all of your problems, it can only protect you so much; in fact test have shown that a new pc running Windows XP if left connected to the Internet unprotected will be infected with viruses and remotely controlled via unauthorised persons within 20 minutes! To protect you against hackers and often to prevent spyware and 'scumware' from communicating directly with their servers about information it may have picked up from your pc, a firewall should form the key part of your e-security solution. New CipherSend Online Security Service Thwarts Email Address Theft And Soothes Password Fatigue In 1997, I decided after 15 years as a practicing CPA that it was time to put down my pencil and explore a new venture on the exciting new internet which, while perhaps not exactly in its infancy at that point, was still at least a pimply faced teenaged medium still unexplored by most accountants.I founded CPAsites. How to Protect Yourself from Viruses, Spyware, Adware, and Other Nuisances Spyware/adware is a new major concern for PC users everywhere. Infecting your computer silently (usually installed with programs that seem harmless), spyware and adware can collect personal information about you, as well as cause pop up ads to come up all of the time, changing your browsers home page, sometimes even completely disabling your computer's usability. Identity Theft Offline -- So Many Possibilities Chris Simpson, head of Scotland Yard's computer crime unit was unpleasantly surprised to learn how easy it is to cheat anybody out of his or her personal info -- by means of a fake survey.This survey wasn't a scam; in fact, it was an experiment. Spy Scanners - Don't Compromise your Privacy Spies, spyware, internet parasites are among what they are usually called. These are scouts that monitor your web activities. Five Excellent Indie Encryption And Security Solutions You Have Not Heard About 1. Geek Superhero http://www. 5 Tips For An Unbreakable Password Despite the current wave of identity theft and corporate security breaches it's amazing how very few people treat their passwords with any level of seriousness. Most computers users, both at home and in the office, see passwords as a nuisance and therefore make them as easy to remember as possible. The Truth About Hiding Your Tracks on the Internet Ok, ok, I know you've seen them. All those pop up windows claiming that "You're being watched!" or banner ads saying "Your computer is under surveillance!" And all you need to do is buy their product and your computer's visbility will disappear from the Internet. Spyware Removal Spyware SolutionProbably Today's Biggest Computer Problem. You Suffer Without Knowing Your PC is Infected! "The effects can be devastating. Dialing Up a Scam: Avoiding the Auto-Dialer Virus For many, the daily walk to the mailbox evokes mixed feelings: The glee that your favorite monthly magazine - or a friend's hand-written letter (quite a surprise in the e-mail age) may be waiting is countered by anxiety of how many bills the postman left you.Now, imagine coming across your phone bill, thicker and heavier than normal. Detect Spyware Online You can detect spyware online using free spyware cleaners and by installing spyware protection software on your computer. Often it's best to start with free spyware cleaners because these free programs will remove any spyware programs currently running on your computer. Viruses and Worms, Protection from Disaster Virus damage estimated at $55 billion in 2003. "SINGAPORE - Trend Micro Inc, the world's third-largest anti-virus software maker, said Friday that computer virus attacks cost global businesses an estimated $55 billion in damages in 2003, a sum that would rise this year.
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