Spyware

AntiSpyware Software
Windows Defender
Lavasoft Ad-Aware
Spybot Search and Destroy
Ewido
Spysweeper
XoftSpy
CounterSpy
Pest Patrol

Spyware Blockers :
SpywareBlaster
Spyware Block List File

Specific Removal Tools :
Hi-Jack This
CWShredder

Free Online Scanners :
Ewido Free Malware Scanner
Ewido Online Scan

List of Known Fake Anti-Spyware Programs

What is spyware and related software?

Microsoft Produced Video on Spyware : Open Here

Spyware: Software that gathers and sends information without the person's knowledge. The information may include network and system information about your computer. Spyware is a general term used for software that performs certain behaviors such as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent.

Adware: Software that displays ads as the "cost" of otherwise free software. Most such software tracks how you browse the Internet and reports the information to a third party. A software application that can display advertising banners while the program is running or via some other triggering mechanism is called adware. Ad delivery systems are most often integrated into free applications as a way for developers to recover costs or generate revenue. A critical eye has been placed on adware system since in many cases, in addition to downloading ads, they may also upload user information collected without explicit permission.

Browser hijack software: In short, software that hijacks your web browser. This type of software will change the home page and search pages of your web browser without your consent. Some hijackers also change your DNS settings, add entries to the host file or install a filter that will either prevent you from reaching certain web sites or redirecting you to a different web site than you requested. Often a hijacker will prevent you from reaching certain security web sites such as antivirus companies or Microsoft in an attempt to prevent you from downloading security patches or updates. This then leaves your computer vulnerable against future attacks.

Malware: Short for "malicious software," malware refers to software programs designed to damage or do other unwanted actions on a computer system. Common examples of malware include viruses, worms, trojan horses, and spyware. Viruses, for example, can cause havoc on a computer's hard drive by deleting files or directory information. Spyware can gather data from a user's system without the user knowing it

How do I know if I have spyware or other unwanted software?

You might have spyware or other unwanted software on your computer if:

• You see pop-up advertisements even when you're not on the web.

• You see an increase in the amount of pop-up advertisements while you are on the web.

• Your web browser home page or your search settings have changed without your knowledge.

• You notice a new toolbar in your browser that you didn't want, and find it difficult to get rid of.

• Poor system performance, most notably when you are browsing the Internet.

• You experience a sudden rise in computer crashes.

• You get a lot of bounced back mail and see evidence of e-mails sent without your knowledge

• Your computer seems to have a mind of its own.

• Your computer dial out to the internet on its own.

• Your computer stops responding more frequently.

How did I get spyware on my computer?

There are a number of ways spyware or other unwanted software can get on your system and in this section you will come to see that your internet habits and behaviors play a key role and are mostly responsible for the spyware getting into your system in the first place.

Typically the spyware is installed by either your own action or by someone else using your computer. Let me clarify that most people would not install spyware onto their own computer on purpose knowing that is will cause damage. Unfortunately spyware programers, hackers and advertising companies literally prey on the behaviors of the common computer user. Deception is the root of most tricks used today.

Sometimes they will trick you into clicking a link that installs it. Links to spyware can be deceptive. For example, a Web site that's trying to push spyware onto your computer might open a window that looks like a Windows dialog box, and then trick you by installing when you click a Cancel button to close the dialog box. Sometimes, spyware pushers will put a fake title bar in an empty window, and then install spyware when you try closing the window. A common scenario is that you will see a pop-up ad that claims your computer has a virus, spyware or optimization problem and they ask you to click on a link to download software that will correct the problem only to find out later that it installed some type of spyware. A lot of people fall for this type of ploy and it can be difficult to determine what messages are authentic, from a reliable source and what messages are not.

Another common trick is to covertly install the software during the installation of other software you want such as a music or video file sharing program. Sometimes the inclusion of unwanted software in a given software installation is documented, but it may appear at the end of a license agreement or privacy statement. Many freeware programs, and P2P programs like Grokster, Imesh, Kazaa and others are amongst the most notorious, come with an enormous amount of bundled spyware that will eat system resources, slow down your system, clash with other installed software, or just plain crash your browser or even Windows itself.

Companies pushing adware and spyware are relying on two things: your desire for free software and your gullibility.

Anyone who has the habit of downloading free software from the internet is at great risk. We have all heard at sometime in our life that nothing in life is for free. This is absolutely holds true for most free internet software. There is almost always some price to pay and even those whom are careful when choosing a source for free software will sometimes get burnt.

Anyone who like to play free online games is also at great risk. Many of these free online games such as those at pogo.com, are loaded with spyware. In order for you to play them, you must give them permission to install an activeX component which in turn is giving them permission to install spyware on to your computer. That does not mean that all online games will install spyware but a good portion do and you must research the source before playing them or just stay clear of them to remain safe.

Anyone who is in the habit of clicking the Yes or OK buttons on every dialog box you see is at great risk as well. You fall into this category if when a dialog box pops up asking if it's OK to install a new program, if you click the Yes button without knowing precisely what you are giving it permission to do.

Spyware writers are the problem here but our own actions or inaction are what allows them to take advantage of us. The computer user is the one who can prevent a spyware infection. In almost all cases of spyware infection, the computer user made a choice to allow something to install the spyware. Whether the computer user was tricked into clicking on a link to install it, installed it unknowingly bundled with other software or by installing a know bad program, it was the users action. The flip side to our actions are our inaction. It is very well known that you must protect your computer in this day and age. A computer users decision to not follow the typical suggestions of computer maintenance is at risk as well. Would you drive your car for years without taking it in for an oil change from time to time? No.. Anyone who owns a car knows that there is some type of maintenance that needs to be done to them or they will. break. Would you leave valuables in a car in a public place and not lock the doors? I think not... So why would you not maintain or protect your computer. Computers have some basic maintenance that needs to be done to keep them problem free and it is not a very complex chore. If we decide to do this or forget to do this than we are inviting the problem.

How do I prevent spyware from infecting my computer?

Make sure the programs you install don't contain adware. Many freeware programs do include adware. It's how the publishers make their money. If you're not sure, read the license agreement carefully (these are usually shown directly or through links as part of the installation process). Also, check the publisher's Web site very carefully. If you're still not sure, search Google Groups for the name of the program and the keywords adware or spyware. If you don't find any postings about it, then you're probably OK.

Install Anti-Spyware Applications. There are many anti-spyware applications available on the market today. Many of which are free but be careful as to which ones you install. Here are a list of a few which are know authentic and clean programs: Lavasoft Adaware, Spybot Search and Destroy, Webroot’s Spysweeper and Microsoft’s Antispyware. Get yourself at least two of these programs. make sure they are the latest versions and be sure to update and run at least once per week.

Install Anti-Virus Applications. Many of today’s latest anti-virus applications detect and remove some spyware, malware, adware and hijackers as well as virus and trojans. Many of these are related to and go hand-in-hand with a virus. This is an important step and needs to be done to complete the spectrum of security tools.

Install a pop-up blocker to prevent adware and spyware pop-up windows. Much spyware installs after you click a deceptive link in a pop-up browser window. Install a pop-up blocker, and you won't even be tempted to click those links. Two favorite pop-up blockers are completely free. The first is the new MSN Toolbar. The second is the Google Toolbar. Pop-up windows are annoying time wasters anyway, so you'll thank yourself later. If you're a Windows XP user, install Service Pack 2 which includes a number of great security features, as well as a pop-up blocker for Internet Explorer.

Install all of the latest updates. Be sure to install all updates made available through Microsoft Windows Update and Office Update especially the latest service packs for your version of Windows. You will also need to install all updates available for anti-virus and anti-spyware applications and keep these update at least once per week. Windows and other program updates contain patches to know security flaws and many threats take advantage of such flaws if they go un-patched. Patching these flaws reduces the ability of these threats to infect your computer.

Don't unwittingly install adware or software. If you do click what seems like a innocuous link, and then you see a dialog box similar to the one shown in Figure 1, don't click the Yes button to install the software. In this example, I was expecting to install a program from Microsoft so I feel safe. If in doubt, however, do not proceed. This dialog box is your last line of defense, and you should only install programs from the Internet that you chose to install. This is akin to giving someone your credit card number who calls you at home. It's a different story if you called them. Installing Windows XP SP 2 will also provide some help by suppressing unsolicited downloads of ActiveX controls (a popular vehicle for spyware).

Figure 1: Only click Yes if you trust the publisher and want the software.

Spyware scanners and some virus scanners with spyware signatures can help combat spyware. However, the best strategy is to be discriminating about what you choose to download and install.

How do I get rid of the spyware that is on my computer?

Check your computer ! If you're even thinking about scanning your computer for adware and spyware, then you're probably experiencing some of the symptoms I described earlier in this article. Those include instability, performance problems, or possibly a hijacked Web browser.

There is software specifically designed for detecting spyware and adware, and helping you remove it. There are many freeware versions available for use by individuals at home. Paid commercial versions are also available for use in corporate environments. These anti-spyware programs find adware and spyware on your computer and then remove them.

Most experts recommend using three different anti-spyware programs to find and remove as much spyware as possible from your computer. If you want to stick with freeware, try Ad-aware SE Personal, Microsoft Antispyware and/or Spybot Search & Destroy. The highest rated anti-spyware is payware including CounterSpy, Pestpatrol and Spy Sweeper. Note: Free trial versions of these payware programs may be available from the vendor's web sites

If you're not going to use a popular recommended program, however, search Google Groups for the name of the program you do choose. Some spyware removal software can cause as many problems as it fixes, and you want to find out about these problems before using unproven software.