(Off Topic) Spyware.

[Anonymous]

Why can't Spyware just go away? I try to "Block" as many cookies as I possibly can and that "Privacy Report" just won't go away. I am just sick of the spying. What can a person do to fight back? Every where I go there is spyware. There are some sites I did allow to use cookies and the "PR" went away. Then there are other sites I did allow to use cookies and the "PR" still won't go away. What the hell. I don't know about you people but I am realy sick of the D*mn spying.
Any thoughts? Allan.

[rsovitzky]

Allan,

Cookies are not necesarily 'spyware'. In fact, technically they are not since they have no ability to DO anything. Sounds like you're using Internet Explorer. You should know that you can 'relax' your privacy settings directly from the privacy report, and then you will not get objections for that site (web address) again.

As for spyware, make sure you have a good, up to date antivirus running. You can also get Microsoft's free anti-spyware application: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

If you are using Windows XP, be sure the firewall is turned on in Windows Security on the Control Panel.

With these aids, you should be OK. If you already know all this, forgive me...

[zardoz]

rsovitzky's advice is sound.

In addition, PC World has a nice selection of FREE anti-spyware and popup blockers available (even though their site uses popups). But if you download the good programs, popups and such will (mostly) end.

Go to http://pcworld.com/downloads/index/0,00.asp# and scroll down to the "Privacy and Security" section, and click on Ad Blockers.. I use "Ad-Aware", "Spybot", and "Pop-up Stopper Free". Just be sure to run a system scan at least once per week using each program you choose to use.

I've heard that the latest Microsoft program that rsovitzky mentioned has a few problems. I could not get it to install on my XP Pro system, and my wife (who works in the IT dept) has also had difficulty installing it on XP; no problems installing it on 2000 though.

[Anonymous]

Ok. I got it now. Thanks to eveyone. But just one Question? Now that my Firewall is up and running. Just what does it do? Allan.

[martin.knoepfel]

I downloaded AdAware, but there is a warning saying my definitions are 300+ days old. When I try to actualize definitions, the answer is: connect later, even when the internet-connection (ADSL) is in service. Does anyone know what could be the origion of the problem? I use spybot S&D and I downloaded the Windows Service Pac 2 for XP, which should have a firewall.

Thanks for helpful answers.

[Anonymous]

Stop lookin at naughty websites, that'll keep the "pop-ups" at bay. [(-D][(-D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by farmer03

Stop lookin at naughty websites, that'll keep the "pop-ups" at bay. [(-D][(-D]

o that might help for m- o! did i say that out loud! o! oops! ah...hehe

[jchnhtfd]

The firewall does a variety of things -- but basically it makes it very very much harder for odd bods out in the cruel world to see what's on your hard drive (and copy it/change it/ do other strange things to it) and makes it very very much harder for the same odd bods to use your computer for whatever they want to do. Not impossible. Just orders of magnitude harder. Among other things, you can control just which programs on your computer can 'talk' to the internet, and under how much control.

So long as your anti-virus is updated and running, and your firewall is running, and you run a good spyware finder, you should be in pretty good shape. If these things aren't true, it really doesn't matter what browser you use, you may have problems... !

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by martin.knoepfel

I downloaded AdAware, but there is a warning saying my definitions are 300+ days old. When I try to actualize definitions, the answer is: connect later, even when the internet-connection (ADSL) is in service. Does anyone know what could be the origion of the problem? I use spybot S&D and I downloaded the Windows Service Pac 2 for XP, which should have a firewall.

Thanks for helpful answers.

Try this. When Adaware fully loads. Look above the "Start" button. It will say:"Check for updates now". Click it. Then click: Download updates. It sould start to fully download the newer verson for Adaware. Do this at least once a week. Allan.

[Anonymous]

I normaly don't post in this group but,,,,
Adaware is spyware. Spyware is any program or code that tracks where or what your system does. Firewall and virus security are a totaly different type of subject. If you want a laymans education on the subjects visit Gibson Research Center (www.grc.com) and select "shields up". If you are worried about security, and you should be, install Zonealarm on a free trial from www.zonelabs.com If you decide to buy it get the pro version PC Mag recommended product. Make sure that your anti virus software is up to date. Check your system offen using the Gibson site.

Mike Pierce
V. Pres.
GPRR

[adrianspeeder]

Another thing you can do is ditch Internet Explorer and run with Mozilla. Much more stable and secure. www.getfirefox.com

Adrianspeeder

[jchnhtfd]

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder

Another thing you can do is ditch Internet Explorer and run with Mozilla. Much more stable and secure. www.getfirefox.com

Adrianspeeder

Optimist. There is no, repeat, no known web browser which is completely secure against spyware and other key logging programs. It is quite true that virus type programs are more common for Internet Explorer, but not because it is more vulnerable, which it isn't. It's because it is far and away the most common, and most of these jokers are out either for money or publicity or, preferably, both -- and to get either one, you're going to attack the commonest thing around.

However, that being said, any halfway competently written key logger (and I'm in the business of providing computer security, if it makes any difference to you) does not care what browser you are using, only that you are connected to the internet. It will quite cheerfully check what web site you are looking at, and what your computer responds to that web site; if it's personal stuff, and it isn't encrypted, it's public -- might as well put up a billboard.

Of course, the best of the devious programs are the phishers, and they get around all your defenses by counting on ones curiousity or laziness -- or greed.

I repeat: there is no known web browser which is completely secure against spyware and other key logging programs.