4. ALL About Spyware
There
are a lot of PC users that know little about "Spyware", "Mal-ware",
"hijackers", "Dialers" & many more. This will help you avoid
pop-ups, spammers and all those baddies.
What is spy-ware?
Spy-ware
is Internet jargon for Advertising Supported software (Ad-ware). It is
a way for shareware authors to make money from a product, other than by
selling it to the users. There are several large media companies that
offer them to place banner ads in their products in exchange for a
portion of the revenue from banner sales. This way, you don't have to
pay for the software and the developers are still getting paid. If you
find the banners annoying, there is usually an option to remove them,
by paying the regular licensing fee.
Known spywares
There are thousands out there, new ones are added to the list everyday. But here are a few:
Alexa,
Aureate/Radiate, BargainBuddy, ClickTillUWin, Conducent Timesink,
Cydoor, Comet Cursor, eZula/KaZaa Toptext, Flashpoint/Flashtrack,
Flyswat, Gator, GoHip, Hotbar, ISTbar, Lions Pride Enterprises/Blazing
Logic/Trek Blue, Lop (C2Media), Mattel Brodcast, Morpheus, NewDotNet,
Realplayer, Songspy, Xupiter, Web3000, WebHancer, Windows Messenger
Service.
How to check if a program has spyware?
The is this Little site that keeps a database of programs that are known to install spyware.
Check Here: http://www.spywareguide.com/product_search.php
If you would like to block pop-ups (IE Pop-ups).
There tons of different types out there, but these are the 2 best, i think.
Try: Google Toolbar (http://toolbar.google.com/) This program is Free
Try: AdMuncher (http://www.admuncher.com) This program is Shareware
If you want to remove the "spyware" try these.
Try: Lavasoft Ad-Aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/) This program is Free
Info:
Ad-aware is a multi spyware removal utility, that scans your memory,
registry and hard drives for known spyware components and lets you
remove them. The included backup-manager lets you reinstall a backup,
offers and multi language support.
Try: Spybot-S&D (http://www.safer-networking.org/) This program is Free
Info:
Detects and removes spyware of different kinds (dialers, loggers,
trojans, user tracks) from your computer. Blocks ActiveX downloads,
tracking cookies and other threats. Over 10,000 detection files and
entries. Provides detailed information about found problems.
Try: BPS Spyware and Adware Remover (http://www.bulletproofsoft.com/spyware-remover.html) This program is Shareware
Info:
Adware, spyware, trackware and big brotherware removal utility with
multi-language support. It scans your memory, registry and drives for
known spyware and lets you remove them. Displays a list and lets you
select the items you'd like to remove.
Try: Spy Sweeper v2.2 (http://www.webroot.com/wb/products/spysweeper/index.php) This program is Shareware
Info: Detects and removes spyware of different kinds (dialers, loggers, trojans, user tracks) from your computer.
The best scanner out there, and updated all the time.
Try: HijackThis 1.97.7 (http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html) This program is Freeware
Info:
HijackThis is a tool, that lists all installed browser add-on, buttons,
startup items and allows you to inspect them, and optionally remove
selected items.
If you would like to prevent "spyware" being install.
Try: SpywareBlaster 2.6.1 (http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareblaster.html) This program is Free
Info:
SpywareBlaster doesn`t scan and clean for so-called spyware, but
prevents it from being installed in the first place. It achieves this
by disabling the CLSIDs of popular spyware ActiveX controls, and also
prevents the installation of any of them via a webpage.
Try: SpywareGuard 2.2 (http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareguard.html) This program is Free
Info:
SpywareGuard provides a real-time protection solution against so-called
spyware. It works similar to an anti-virus program, by scanning EXE and
CAB files on access and alerting you if known spyware is detected.
Try: XP-AntiSpy (http://www.xp-antispy.org/) This program is Free
Info:
XP-AntiSpy is a small utility to quickly disable some built-in update
and authentication features in WindowsXP that may rise security or
privacy concerns in some people.
Try: SpySites (http://camtech2000.net/Pages/SpySites_Prog...ml#SpySitesFree) This program is Free
Info:
SpySites allows you to manage the Internet Explorer Restricted Zone
settings and easily add entries from a database of 1500+ sites that are
known to use advertising tracking methods or attempt to install third
party software.
If you would like more Information about "spyware".
Check these sites.
http://www.spychecker.com/
http://www.spywareguide.com/
http://www.cexx.org/adware.htm
http://www.theinfomaniac.net/infomaniac/co...rsSpyware.shtml
http://www.thiefware.com/links/
http://simplythebest.net/info/spyware.html
Usefull tools...
Try: Stop Windows Messenger Spam 1.10 (http://www.jester2k.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/j...r2ksoftware.htm) This program is Free
Info: "Stop Windows Messenger Spam" stops this Service from running and halts the spammers ability to send you these messages.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All
these softwares will help remove and prevent evil spammers and spywares
attacking your PC. I myself recommend getting "spyblaster" "s&d
spybot" "spy sweeper" & "admuncher" to protect your PC. A weekly
scan is also recommended
Free Virus Scan
Scan for spyware,
malware and keyloggers in addition to viruses, worms and trojans. New
threats and annoyances are created faster than any individual can keep
up with.
http://defender.veloz.com// - 15k
Finding . is a Click Away at 2020Search.com
Having
trouble finding what you re looking for on: .? 2020Search will
instantly provide you with the result you re looking for by drawing on
some of the best search engines the Internet has to offer. Your result
is a click away!
http://www.2020search.com// - 43k
Download the BrowserVillage Toolbar.
Customize
your Browser! Eliminate Pop-up ads before they start, Quick and easy
access to the Web, and much more. Click Here to Install Now!
http://www.browservillage.com/ - 36k