Spyware
Private Eyes: Who is watching you online?
Spyware is software written specifically to obtain personal information from your computer. In the process, spyware can destroy your data, steal confidential information, and create unneeded hassle. Spyware installs itself on your PC without your knowledge and can be very difficult to detect and remove. Whether motivated by commercial or criminal intent, all spyware invades your privacy and threatens your information security.
Spyware is spread through file downloading, fake anti-spyware programs/applications, and installation of “free” software or browser plug-ins. Please beware that spyware records your online activity, to include purchases, browsing history, and communications.
Don't Be a Victim - How Spyware Invades
- Voluntary Download
- The Spyware component lies hidden within an otherwise apparently useful program. Often, the containing program
is made available for download free of charge, so as to encourage wide uptake of the Spyware component.
- Containing programs take all forms:
- browser components
- P2P/MP3 software
- Vice websites often require a user to install files to view certain picture types, run movies, or run gambling programs.
- Price comparisons / shopper helper programs
- Intrinsic Browser Security Holes
While IE's default Internet Security level is set to prompt a user when a website wants to download files on a computer,
users can lower these protections in order to view certain cookie dependant websites.
- Human Weakness
- While IE will force a user to consider the origin of the software for download, many users don't take the time to
consider the credibility of those sites.
- Fake Anti-Spyware - Don't just use anything off of Google, you want a name brand you've read about.
- Pop ups - appear claiming corrective powers for what ever ails your machine. Clicking on the pop up
downloads the Spyware
- Fake Anti-Spyware
Pop up ads appear claiming corrective powers for what ever ails your machine. Clicking on the
pop up downloads the Spyware.
- Malicious Installation
Most criminal Spyware cases involve someone from the same institution installing Spyware directly onto the victim's PC.
Recognizing and Removing Spyware
How do I know if I have Spyware?
- The Spyware component lies hidden within an otherwise apparently useful program. Often, the containing program is made available for download free of charge, so as to encourage wide uptake of the Spyware component.
- Containing programs take all forms:
- browser components
- P2P/MP3 software
- Vice websites often require a user to install files to view certain picture types, run movies, or run gambling programs.
- Price comparisons / shopper helper programs
While IE's default Internet Security level is set to prompt a user when a website wants to download files on a computer, users can lower these protections in order to view certain cookie dependant websites.
- While IE will force a user to consider the origin of the software for download, many users don't take the time to consider the credibility of those sites.
- Fake Anti-Spyware - Don't just use anything off of Google, you want a name brand you've read about.
- Pop ups - appear claiming corrective powers for what ever ails your machine. Clicking on the pop up downloads the Spyware
Pop up ads appear claiming corrective powers for what ever ails your machine. Clicking on the pop up downloads the Spyware.
Most criminal Spyware cases involve someone from the same institution installing Spyware directly onto the victim's PC.
Spyware typically makes it's presence known when browsing the internet is slow and unwanted windows and objects appear at random.
If you have see any of the symptoms described below you should scan your computer with either Ad-Aware or Spybot, or even both.
- If you are getting heavy pop-up, pop-under's every time you click on a link or open a page
- If your computer is running slow or acting funny but you don't have a virus
- If you have any mysterious programs running in the System Tray
- If your browser's homepage keeps going back to the same site even after changing it
How do I remove Spyware?
Your first line of defense is to install and run an anti-spyware program such as Ad-Aware or Spybot. They will both identify and in most cases remove many different aggressive ad tools. This includes everything from cookies to malware. Ad-Aware and Spybot are safe, free and easy to install and run.
- Download and install anti-spyware program(s).
- Ad-aware (free for personal PCs)
- Spybot Search & Destroy (free for non-commerical use)
- Run the "Check for updates now" or similar option every time you run the Spyware scanning software.
- Scan your machine, then select and remove anything it finds
- Run the Spyware scanning software again until it finds nothing
- Running the software twice a month will help keep your system clean.
Common Spyware Methods
- Adware
Tracks browsing and search habits and/or delivers targeted pop up ads. - Keyloggers
Records username and password information and/or program activity to monitor usage. - Browser Hijackers
Changes some aspect of the browser: the homepage, default search engines, and favorites. - Dialers
Modem hijackers that dial international or 900 numbers.
Common Spyware Traps
This is a list of some common programs that are distributed with Spyware: