Spyware

[x42bn6]

Spyware​

What it is:
Spyware is something relatively new that is spreading on the Internet. It is often considered a virus, despite the differences.

Viruses are intended to DESTROY, but I doubt spyware is. Often, it is to mass advertise so the person who intended to infect your system gains money via hacks. Therefore, spyware is not considered destructive. However, prolonged usage of 'well-designed spyware' can cause serious hurt to your damage via dynamically created registry entries and programs.

Spyware classes:
Pop-ups: Not pop-ups via browser screens, but pop-ups that occur during your games like while playing StarCraft that shouldn't happen when a browser window is not open. Often generated by porn sites to give them more hits and money. Often not harmful but can be annoying and can be dangerous should you have your parents watching.

Internal programs: Rather vague? They are programs that should not be there, such as on your desktop. They can be used to generate windows and pop-ups NOT detected by pop-up stoppers. They also generate random windows to close, redirect or modify your registry. Also, some execute with the browser to track browser usage, and CAN extend to passwords. Be warned.

Redirects: Spyware can often modify your homepage on IE and Netscape to a site that you do not want, and it does so upon startup and cannot be changed.

Dialers: This is the malicious kind. It disconnects you and dials another number, such as a porn service. Problem is, if you are outside the US, the cost of the call will be obscenely large.

There is nothing spyware cannot do, literally, once it is on your system. It can do almost anything your OS can. In worse cases, it carries a trojan which will leave your system vulnerable to viruses.

How to prevent spyware entering:
Do not look at porn. This has proved to be one of the leading causes of spyware.
Use Norton 2003/2004 and activate script blocker. This prevents illegal execution of VBScript, WSH add-on for JScript by Microsoft and any Java code that slips the Java Runtime engine.
Use a firewall. To some extent, it works, blocking external requests that you did not ask for. But it is limited.

But I already have an anti-virus program.....
Anti-virus programs remove viruses and viruses ONLY. They do remove SOME spyware such as trojan-carriers but they do not remove all. Spyware removers, on the other hand, do not remove many viruses either.

Therefore, it is not viable.

Spyware removers:
The important part. I recommend two.....

Ad-aware 6 (http://www.lavasoft.de), free version.
Spybot Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org)

Of the two, Spybot is the stronger, but Ad-aware is much more user-friendly.

Remember!
Some programs that seem harmless are spyware. One example is Hotbar, a skinning service. It tracks browser usage. Among others too.....

~x42bn6

 

[Korittke]

nice post, however you missed the MOST important point. THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT, do not use internet explorer. second most important point is use your brain

 

[x42bn6]

That too..... Microsoft made a huge mistake to create WSH for JScript and ActiveX.

Netscape, Opera and Mozilla are all great alternatives.

 

[TweaK]

Opera is an awesome alternative, but it lacks some major functions that IE has
(I've noticed that on sites, like the glowtag here)
Don't forget to run them weekly, and when installing LOOK before you next (Learned that the hard way.)

 

[x42bn6]

Glow tag uses DHTML (filter), which is IE only, Tweak.

 

[CuStOm-OwNaGe]

a really good spybot killer is Spybot Search and Destroy and it can be found here

 

[ChrisH36]

Adaware can solve most of the spyware problems, but it seems the cookies from this site are being deleted each time with each Scan. A good suggestion for the pop blockers is do not get ones with stupid names like Stopzilla!. I got that and my friends computer has been screwing up ever since he downloaded it.

 

[x42bn6]

For pop-ups, you can get Mozilla Firebird, Netscape 7, or the Google toolbar. Or you can get Panicware's pop-up stopper.

 

[ChrisH36]

My friend also said good things about Proximitatron. I myself own Panicware but I rely on it to keep those pop-ups away from me. Another thing to know is that one shouldn't travel to those heavily commercialized sites like ROMs and Warez stuff, that is asking for a piece of spyware or viruses to enter your computer.

 

[Ntrik_]

hmm... a question x42,

I have this toolbar thingy which is called search bar... from mysearch.net or something.. and it constantly bugs me by coming back on when I disable it.... plus i keep on getting those mysearch.net thingys whenever I cant enter the site... anyways of deleting this?

p.s. I was thinking if this had to do with any spywares.. .and I tried Lavasoft, finding the application. No luck

 

[ChrisH36]

If it was uninstallable, it would show something on the ADD/Remove Programs list. If you hate it, ignore it if you canot do sumthing about it.

 

[x42bn6]

I'm sure Spybot has an update function, Ad-aware does.

If Spybot doesn't, download Ad-aware, check for updates and update to the newest and scan.

Another thing is, do a check with your system scan too.

 

[AxL]

Originally posted by x42bn6
That too..... Microsoft made a huge mistake to create WSH for JScript and ActiveX.

Netscape, Opera and Mozilla are all great alternatives.

Avant is my current favorite. It wipes the floor with opera, and netscape.

IMO Netscape has been on a slope downhill ever since it has been boughten by AOL.

 

[KillerMe]

Also to avoid it, lots of times a box will pop up asking you if you would like to install something. It has 3 options: yes, no, and more info. NEVER click yes.

Clicking yes will often install spyware, the most common one being a search hijacker.

One of the more deadly ones is one called buddylinks. (Clicking it will tell your more info). It takes over your AIM (instant messnger), and sends messages to other people to install it.

 

[TheSilverHand03]

I get unwanted pop-ups even when i do not have explorer up and i use AOL so i cant even access explorer when not logged onto AOL im not sure if spyware is on my comp and i dont know how to get rid of the pop-ups

 

[x42bn6]

Follow the links on the first post to Ad-aware or Spybot.

 

[ChrisH36]

Originally posted by TheSilverHand03
I get unwanted pop-ups even when i do not have explorer up and i use AOL so i cant even access explorer when not logged onto AOL im not sure if spyware is on my comp and i dont know how to get rid of the pop-ups

Some cookies can spawn these popups if they have executable code, that is why Adaware was invented, a simple Download version can cleanse your computer of this evil.

 

[Beer $lut]

Ive got adware or some crap on my computer..It like changes the links to stuff. Like i got to gamewallpapers.com and all the picture links turn into advertisements from a thing called messagebroadcaster. Even theroys sigs changes to one of them(Pop-up nuker). I have spybot s&d but it doesnt detect this.