Spyware
Update
Tech Tips. Vol. 2004 No. 06
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Our first Tech Tip of 2003 (Vol. 2003 No. 1) was about spyware,
software that now infects upwards of 80% of personal computers.
(Like viruses, it can do so without your knowledge.) We told
you then that spyware was a threat to your privacy, and suggested
a free product to remove it. If you didn't take our advice then,
take it now: 2003 saw an exponential explosion in spyware, including
the introduction of new, more malicious forms that can compromise
not only your privacy, but your machine's performance and the
operation of your web browser. There are also now many more
products to help control it.
General spyware removal tools
Though there are no spyware removers that are completely effective,
particularly against keystroke loggers and browser hijackers
(see below), there are good products that can remove most spyware.
Some also try to prevent re-infection. We strongly recommend
that you install and regularly use at least one general-purpose
spyware removal tool.
PC Magazine recently discussed spyware (Vol. 23 No 4, March
2, 2004). We have personally used and like these tools, to
which PC Magazine also gave good ratings:
- Lavasoft's AdAware version 6.0. (www.lavasoftusa.com)
We like AdAware because it's novice-friendly and relatively
effective. You can pretty confidently let AdAware quarantine
anything it finds. It comes in both free and more fully-featured
paid versions. (Email us for user documentation on the free
version.)
- Spybot Search & Destroy 1.2. (Free; www.safer-networking.org.)
Spybot makes a good companion to AdAware. It's not quite
as easy to use, and you have to be a bit more careful to
examine what it finds. If you allow it to remove everything,
you may find it has quarantined some items you'd like to
retain, such as cookies set by legitimate sites you visit,
auto-complete information that helps you fill out on-line
forms, etc.
PC Magazine also gave good ratings to a couple of products
we haven't used personally: the spyware facility in McAfee's
Internet Security 2004 suite (also available as a standalone;
www.mcafee.com) and Webroot's Spy Sweeper 2.2 (www.webroot.com).
The magazine specifically did NOT recommend Norton's entry
in this category, but indicated that you can expect a better
product from Norton soon.
Browser Hijacking
One of the nasty new forms of spyware is the "browser
hijacker." These stinkers actually reset your home page
to websites of their choosing (often pornographic), and usually
restrict which other sites you can visit. They also disable
your ability to reset your browser to be the way you want
it. Many hijackers are able to avoid detection and/or deletion
by the general spyware removal tools described above.
Search the web and you'll find tools (e.g. Hijack This) specifically
designed to eliminate browser hijackers. However, we strongly
recommend that you consult a technician before attempting
to use these special-purpose tools; they require knowledge
of arcane aspects of your environment, like your registry
and your .dll library. Misuse them, and you could have a real
mess on your hands.
Copyright 2003-2005 by Shulman Clark
Associates, LLC. All rights reserved.
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