Spyware, Scareware and Adware

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This page may help you avoid these programs

See also Here for Basic Security

Spyware and Adware are often the same thing ...... programs or simple 'cookies' that install themselves on your PC and report back to the originator. However, recently things have been getting much worse.  From mere marketing tools installed by reputable companies to discover what people are searching for, or even 'Cookies'  (small text files) put on your machine so you don't have to enter all your details next time you sign on your bank account, more scary ways of exploiting this facility have been developed by less scrupulous (even criminal) organisations. So why not just disable 'Cookies' ?  Unfortunately, this would mean that many sites would not be accessible to you - maybe even your bank

Adware : Originally just methods of doing anonymous market research but now often connected with  unwanted popup advertising

Scareware : There are many programs that claim to remove threats from your PC. They are always free in the first instance. When you scan your PC they pick up every single 'cookie' on the machine and classify it as a threat.  They then suggest you buy the full program to clear these 'threats'.  Don't be fooled. Get a free program such as Ccleaner and/or Spybot Search and Destroy.  Always delete all cookies before doing a scan (via Internet Explorer).  It is less scary!

Spyware : Again, originally designed to track your habits but these days may even be used to track what you are typing, including your passwords and account details

Spyware/Adware removers : Originally genuine free or paid for programs that were intended to tell you what spyware you have and clear it.  But now more frequently used to scare people into buying their product to clean the PC.  Some of these recently have been associated with persistent popups and very persistent warnings.  These programs have changed your setup and Register to such an extent that they can be as difficult as viruses to get rid of. Please note that because many of the anti spyware products are considered to be 'rogues' I have banned the following list from advertising on this site, though most are just trying to seel you something that you don't need to pay for. I recommend Ad-aware, Spybot Search and Destroy and Mcafee Site Advisor - all free.  But, as the majority of these scary spy files are contained in Cookies it IS possible to turn Cookies off.  However, some sites will insist on them being on (including your bank and Tescos). The best way is to leave Cookies turned on in Internet Explorer but to switch off browsing history This will mean that cookies are cleared each time you shut Internet Explorer and programs like Ad Aware will find very little. Sometimes I think that such programs are redundant, though I do keep a couple to check occasionally. To clear them each time in Firefox the setting is under Tools, Options, Privacy.  In Internet Explorer, Tools, Internet Options, History, History.

The anti spyware programs to avoid:

1automationwiz. com.2004spywareremovers,.3mo.org.5spynetwork. com.66.33.0.35 achtungachtung. com adaware. info adawareinfo. com add-aware. com ad-eliminator. com adremovergold. com adware. storesbiz. com adwarenomore. net adware-real-free-scan. com adware-removal. biz adwareremoval. net adware-remover. net adwareremovergold. com adwarereport. com adwarereport. com adwaresafe. com adwarespy. com adwarespy. com adwarespywareremoval. com adwarexeliminator. com anti-adware. net antispyware. com antispyware. neonant. com anti-spyware-review. com bhozapper. com bulletproofsoft. com bulletproofsoft. com cleantor, clickspyclean. , com-install. com compareandreview. com comparespywareremovers. com comparespywareremovers. com consumerincentivepromotions. com easyerase. com eblocs. com enigmasoftwaregroup. com errornuker. com e-spyware. com evidence-eliminator. com free-adware-removal. net free-adware-remover. org free-adware-scan. com free-adware-scan. com freedownloadtools. com freepcscan. com free-spyware-check. com free-spyware-scan. com free-spyware-scan. com freespywarescan. org freespywarescan. org free-web-browsers. com good-offers. com good-offers. com/gr1CvpTfyP5Tw healthycomputerclub. com hijack-this. net hop. clickbank. net hypernexussolutions. com incentiverewardcenter. com interesoft. com iteens. com likesurfing. com login. tracking101. com lsjmp. com mambomarket. com mediataskmaster. com megalithusa. com neosoftlabs. com netspyprotector. com noadware. com noadware. com noadware. net noadware. net nomorespyware. net nontoxic-internet. com nontoxic-internet. com nospyware. info nospyx. com nuker. com nuker. com onlinepcfix. com onlinepcfix. com online-spybot-scan. com online-survival-lab. com palsol. com paretologic. com paretologic. com paretologic. com/xoftspy/lp/14/ pcbugdoctor. com pcbugdoctor. com pcdocrx. net pcdocrx. net/cgi-bin/view. cgi/116982asa/download. html prevx. com/prevxhome pcspytool. com pestbot primaryads. com privacy defender privacysoftwarereport. com privacysoftwarereport. com privacytools2004. com r. rd05. com ratespywareremovers. com realspyerase. biz removespyware. ru revieweasy. com/spy/ rizalsoftware. com safespy. net scanspyware. net service. netmeans. com service. netmeans. com/bfast/ sg08. biz smartcomparisons. com smart-security. info software-comparisons. com spyads. com spybeware. com spybloc. com spyblocs. com spybot. com spybot. com-xp. com spybotfinder. com spybot-spyware-removal. com spyburn. palsol. biz spycleaner. net spy-deleter. com spydetector. net spyforce. com spyhunter. com spy-hunter-detector. com spyinator. com spykiller. com spykillerdownload. com spy-review. com spyspotter. com spyvest. com spyware. junglebee. com spyware. net spyware. speedylearning. com spyware-adware-download. com spywareassassin. com spywarebegone. com spywareblaster. com spywareboard. com spywarecrusher. com spyware-destruction. com spywarehelp. net spywarehub. com spywareinfoooo. com spywareno. com spywarenuker. com spywarenuker. com spywareonline. org spywareremovalauthority. com spywareremovalutilities. com spywareremove. org spywareremover. com spy-ware-remover. com spywareremovercomparisons. com spyware-removers. org spywareremoversreview. com spywareremoversreview. com spywarereview. info spywarestormer. com spywarethis. com spywarexterminator. com spywarezapper. com surfsecret. com swanksoft. com techlistings. net The shield theshopontop. com the-spyware-review. com tkqlhce. com topspywareremovers. com toptenreviews. com toptenreviews. com trackzapper. com trekblue. com trekdata. com trojan-scan. com uant. net uninstallxupiter. com x. cb. kount. com xeec. com

Kaspersky, that reputable Russian security company (well, retired KGB experts have to find something to do) reports that the lines between Adware, Trojans and Viruses have become blurred and existing Adware blockers are failing users.

If you would really like to know which Big Brother is watching you, take a look at the names in the Cookies files.  The best way is to right click Internet Explorer. Click Properties.  In the first (General) section, click Settings and then View Files.  Look down the files listed as Cookies. Most of the cookies are innocent marketing tools. But they are all doing it without your say-so. If it worries you click Cancel and click Delete Cookies (and might as well Delete (IE) files at the same time). If it takes a long time you will know  ...... you should have done it before ! To see an explanation of what Adware is about I had a look at one of the company's sites : It said "Commission Junction is a ValueClick company, providing advanced performance-based marketing solutions that help marketers increase online leads and sales. By facilitating strategic relationships between advertisers and publishers, Commission Junction leverages its proven expertise in affiliate marketing, partner marketing and search marketing to drive measurable results for its clients". And the information is mostly collected by Spyware/Adware.

Useful Links : Microsoft's http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm Microsoft is Beta Testing a suite of programs called One Care Live which it will offer on a subscription basis to protect Windows computers See http://beta.windowsonecare.com/  Microsoft has also a new, and very thorough, anti Spyware program. Download it (free) from   www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware  They also can check your XP computer for malicious programs.  See http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx#run

See Microsoft's own pages regarding computer security : http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

Comparisons between Anti Spyware programs at http://www.adwarereport.com/mt/archives/000157.html

Other useful non-commercial sites include www.spywaretesting.org, www.stopbadware.org, www.antispywarecoalition.org and www.consumerwebwatch.org

Get the latest  security patches for Internet Explorer to try to prevent hackers from getting  access to your computer.  Please click on www.microsoft.com/security/

Oct 06 Another program purporting to be a Spyware fixer is SpywareNuker by Trekdata or Trekblue.  There is an excellent article on this at http://camtech2000.net/Newsletters/a_new_spyware_tactic.htm

A contact reports a problem with Winfixer.  This is a program (Like Errorsafe) which, if downloaded onto your PC makes multiple changes to it, then displays a message that your PC is badly infected and will you pay them to remove the problems. It is becoming a popular way of making money. To see what a mess it can cause, take a look at http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/winfixer.html  Errorsafe and Winfixer are widely advertised on the net and cost $$$.  Some people get it by mistakenly searching for Symantic (instead of the legitimate Symantec) There are even Winfixer cleaners advertised.  Again they may all be part of the Winfixer industry. Apart from the worry they cause they will install popup advertising and may make your PC run slower.  Another program using this technique is Stop-Sign. Also the well know PCTools program will do a scan then ask for dollars to clean your PC, though this one doesn't, as far as I know, leave any trace after your initial scan  Also in the same category as Winfixer (and probably produced by the same stable - or should I say slaughterhouse - is Winantivirus, Winsoftware, Winadblocker, Winfirewall.  Read here for a report on these dreadful programs.

When I get a request about a problem that I suspect is a virus or spyware intrusion I immediately search the Internet for the main word e.g. "Errorsafe" or "Winfixer". Inevitably I am led to helpful 'Forums' that are having to deal with similar problems. If you get problems, such as regular unwanted pop-ups I suggest that you do a search of the Internet in this way and look for links to sites that appear to be dealing with the problem. But beware of those that merely tell you what you have then charge for their removal.

Make sure you have a Firewall

What is a Firewall ? For a complete description of this essential security element see  http://www.askbobrankin.com/do_i_need_a_firewall.html  

n.b.  NTL users are supposed to have the option for NTL based firewall + anti spyeware program (called Fireguard) However, after agreeing to install this my computer still reckoned it was vulnerable and I rapidly reverted to Zone Alarm

The most famous free firewall is Zone Alarm from Zonelabs. Lately I have found that their newest version has selectively caused problems with (1) NTL e-mail collection (2) Avast anti virus updates and (3) Google Earth but I have now decided to continue with it and try and lick it into shape by allowing those programs through the firewall. The easiest way is to get Zone Alarm is to click on www.computeractive.co.uk/downloads/1139297  

If you have a firewall.... and you SHOULD have... do you know whether it actually stops your computer accessing the internet without your permission?  There is a small program called the Leaktest from http://www.grc.com/lt/leaktest.htm that will check this.  But your firewall may be doing this outward bound check. Certainly Zone Alarm does.  So, if you use Leaktest, the correct result is that your firewall should BLOCK it when it tries to access the net

It really is about time all ISP's woke up to their responsibility to protect their customers from malware.  If yours doesn't it is time to consider Changing your ISP!

SIMPLE SECURITY RULES :
(1) NEVER download an attachment to an e-mail (even from a know address) if you are unsure what it is. Infected attachments most commonly end in Pif, Scr, Exe, Com and lately may be Zip(ped- compressed versions )of these
(2) Keep your email and web browser programs up-to-date; get the latest updates from Microsoft from Http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com .
(3) Get and keep up-to-date an anti virus program.  
(4) Install a Firewall program.
(5) Occasionally run an up-to-date anti Spyware program.  
(6) If an e-mail says "Pass this warning on", don't bother, it will be a hoax.
(7) If you are suddenly invited to 'click here', win cash or take an IQ test, don't. Go off line and get back on again.  See below for free programs that can help.
(8) If you use music file sharing software, expect to get virus infections. 
(9) If you get a spam email then DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINK in it, even one which say you can unsubscribe with it.  It is possible that the link will lead to a website which will send you a VIRUS !  This is called V-SPAM

Often the problems are caused by,  not one but, a number of 'foreign' files in the computer and the latest technique to get rid of these things invariably involves downloading a program called Hijackthis from www.download.com . When run on your computer this program shows a list of the programs (good and bad) that are running in the background so the forum expert can advise which are the nasty ones and how to get rid of them. They usually also advise the running of the latest versions of programs such as Ad-aware and Spybot and external virus checkers such as the one offered by Panda Software or Housecall (see above). But the Hijackthis log will mean very little to the average computer user and has to be analysed by an expert.

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