(Off Topic) Spyware.

[Anonymous]

I hace a Question?
What is spyware?
Why is there spyware?
Who is spying?
Why does't the Government do anything to stop who ever is doing the spying?
Etc......................
[bow]BNSF[bow]

[Puckdropper]

Spyware is any application installed on your computer that records data and sends it back to its company WITHOUT notifying the user. Microsoft's error reporting in XP is NOT spyware, it tells you what you're doing.

Malware is the more correct term for what most people call spyware. Mal in spanish means "bad" so it literally means "bad-ware" or "bad software."

Ars Technica has a review of malware removal tools at:
http://arstechnica.com/reviews/apps/spyware-removal.ars

It's worth a read.

[Puckdropper]

Oh and why doesn't the government stop it? Spyware == money.

Just look at the anti-spam law... Spam == money so they word it to legalize spam. If they had changed the wording "opt-out" to "opt-in" I bet spam would have dropped 25% rather than 1%.

We are no longer in the information age... We are in the information abuse age.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE:
We are no longer in the information age... We are in the information abuse age.

So True, there was a special on tv about different kinds of spam, and how so many people are just bombarded with it to the point that it really takes a toll on daily life.

Some of the newer (gaining popularity) kinds of SPAM now include Voice Mail Spam, and Text Messaging spam.

Some people were getting the unwanted text messages, but still had to pay to get them because of their cell phone plans.

Some people are logging into their voice mail systems to find out that they 15 new messages and all are junk mail.



[xx(] Yikes!

[Anonymous]

Someone else probably will note this as well. Internet Explorer is very prone to spyware infiltration. If you're looking for a better browser (at least until all the spyware writters switch to this) with better spyware protection, try Mozilla's Firefox browser.

Check out:
www.mozilla.org

I've been very pleased, used if for over a year and virtually no spyware ever!

[Anonymous]

I have received zero spam since switching to Mozilla.

IE is dead long live Mozilla.

As for voice mail spam and other forms of spam spam, I have lived in a analog house with a rotary once in my life I can do so again. (Except for DCC... gotta have that)

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vandenbm

Someone else probably will note this as well. Internet Explorer is very prone to spyware infiltration. If you're looking for a better browser (at least until all the spyware writters switch to this) with better spyware protection, try Mozilla's Firefox browser.

Check out:
www.mozilla.org

I've been very pleased, used if for over a year and virtually no spyware ever!

Yes! Yes! Firefox is wonderful. Most spyware uses IE holes to place the software/cookie. Also try "Search and Destoy" and "Ad-Aware" for removal. I use both. Both are free as well as Firefox. You can find them easily using Google.

[Anonymous]

Mozilla is also much faster then IE too. That makes it much better to use.

[miniwyo]

My favorite feature of Firefox is tabbed browsing. I come in here and i take the topics that i want to read and open them in new tabs along with other sites. I have receved NO spam and hardly ever get pop ups with it. the only bad thing is that some sites with a different javascript code will not work with firefox. IE is dying. Netscape should be dead by now. Firefox will rule all.

[SteelMonsters]

I run Mozilla Firefox for a browser, have Symantec's Norton Internet Security for a software firewall and antivirus program. run Ad-Aware and Spybot. Last but not least, have a hardware firewall in my wireless router.

Ad-Aware and Spybot are free programs that are great and work well togther to elminate most adware, spyware, and other nasty programs and processes.

For Ad-Aware, Choose Ad-Aware Personal for the free version:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
For Spy Bot, Find Spy Bot Seek and Destroy in the download section:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/home/index.html

And remember, these programs don't do anything unless you run them. You should also run Defrag on your hard drive. It removes fragmented files improving efficiency, this can be found in several places depending on what version of windows.
The most universal way to get there is open My Computer>right click on a hard drive>click properties> click the tools tap near the top> select defrag or defragmentation and click on defrag or defragment. The program will begin to run.

The advantages to running Mozilla Firefox, virus scan, a spyware/adware program, and defrag are:
-Faster boot times, especially in Windows XP
-Programs open and run quicker
-Less popup ads (spyware and those stopped by Mozilla's popup suppressor (can be turned off or allow the popups individually)
-Less personal information permitted to 3rd party companies
-Better security, especially with online orders
-And a few more minor things.

[Mookie]

Well, I read through that and it is like reading the specs for a new locomotive.

Maybe that is why I don't have a puter on line at home. Too much hassle!

M

[eolafan]

Tip for those using AOL, they offer FREE spyware protection when you upgrade (also for FREE) to AOL version "9.0 Security Edition SE". Just a tip, hope it helps.

[Anonymous]

IE (internet Explorer) Has among the worse Spyware filtration software in the world.

If you type in www.trains.com. You may notice for a brief second or two below where it has the status, it says. www.ads234.com

You didn't even type that, But automatically it is redierecting you to a p[op-up ad site!

All because of crap that was installed on your computer.

Here are some Good Ideas.

Forget Spysweeper, Or McAffee Anti-spyware.

ADaware is your best solution, Type in "adaware' in google, and it will take you to the site, the program is free for personal use.

The problem, with Mcafee anti-spyware is that it ONLY uses IE to update, it won't with Netscape or Mozilla, which is absolutely deliberate, and while the page is loading, ti forces you to look at a site, of which your trying to get rid of from your computer

As for browsers- Never us IE again, ever.

Netscape is your alternative, however, Mozilla is your best solution. It doesn't allow programs to install, and doesn't allow for redirections which can lead to millions of pop-ups.

[jchnhtfd]

While it is quite true that Internet Explorer is afflicted by a good many more 'spyware' programs -- and other sundy viruses -- than Mozilla or Netscape or whatever, there are two things to consider here.

First, it is not because it is easier to hack IE (it isn't), but it is far more profitable, since IE has a much bigger market share. Any browser can be hacked; to assume that because you are not using IE you are therefore immune is a faulty conclusion.

Second, any computer which connects to the internet, through any program, can be afflicted by spyware, viruses, and sundry other ills; if you don't have a firewall running ALL the time you either have, or will have, a problem sooner or later! Get an appropriate firewall (there are many; some free, some commercial), install it, and use it. Please...

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Puckdropper

Oh and why doesn't the government stop it? Spyware == money.

No, its because its nearly technologically impossible to stop it. I'd wager around 98% of all adware, malware, and spyware is self inflicted by people that blindly click on things or do not take measure to ensure they do not become infected. How are you going to legislate that away?

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jchnhtfd

While it is quite true that Internet Explorer is afflicted by a good many more 'spyware' programs -- and other sundy viruses -- than Mozilla or Netscape or whatever, there are two things to consider here.

First, it is not because it is easier to hack IE (it isn't), but it is far more profitable, since IE has a much bigger market share. Any browser can be hacked; to assume that because you are not using IE you are therefore immune is a faulty conclusion.

Second, any computer which connects to the internet, through any program, can be afflicted by spyware, viruses, and sundry other ills; if you don't have a firewall running ALL the time you either have, or will have, a problem sooner or later! Get an appropriate firewall (there are many; some free, some commercial), install it, and use it. Please...

The same can be said for Unix and flavors there of (ie, Linux). It doesn't get hacked with the regularity of MS products because there is no return (either monetary or glory), simply because it's not a prevalent.

If the computing world suddenly decided to change over to Linux and Firefox, so would the hackers.

As has been said, you need to protect yourself. Remember that no one is going to send you money, and the best place to get Viagra is from your pharmacist. I routinely delete e-mails without reading them. If they get too persistant, they get filtered and I never see them at all. Opt-out is simply confirmation that your account exists. You won't get any more spam from that address, but your total spam count will likely rise sharply.

The days of the computer as a handy, low maintenance appliance in the home are gone. It's still great to have one around, but they're work now.

[Mookie]

Tree - Amen.....

Mook

[Anonymous]

Spy Subtract is another good a friend had passed along to me. It's free for 30 days, then, you can register it for $24.95 and you'll get their deluxe version. This month, I was able to buy it for $14.95 "on sale". After down loading SpyBot & Spy Subtract, I ran my McAfee and it found nothing. Then, when I ran the other two Spy programs, over 200 items were found! Both "Spy" programs make backup files just in case you got rid of anything you really didn't want to. SpyBot, the author ask you to send a donation to continue on with his work, other than that, it's free. I'd rather pay him than the other company's program that just didn't seem to be doing it's job.

[Anonymous]

Be carefull what spyware removal programs you download and use. There are a number of the so called spyware removal programs that install spyware themselves. Spybot Search and Destroy and Adaware don't install spyware. Several of the Spam advertized spyware programs are bad about finding all kinds of problems on your computer and then telling you that you have to buy their software to fix the problem. Don;t fall for the pitch. It's bogus.
Spybot Search and Destroy and Adaware have free downloadable updates(unlike McCaffree and Norton) instead of charging you for them. If you run both programs, one of them(I can't remember which one) will see the others virus and malware quarintine file and report it as a problem. Just check infront of the filename found and if it has quarentine in the path, then uncheck it an delete the rest. I have used both programs for a couple of years and have never had a problem with malware since. I found about them because of a computer that was so badly contaminated with that junk that it was almost unusable. Cleaned it right up. Great programs, and "FREE"