computer first aid

Malware, Spyware, Adware, Hijackers, etc

Malware is now the single largest problem facing Internet users today and has become so widespread and so infectious that is now a bigger curse than viruses & worms used to be.

If your computer is running extremely slow or if you are being pestered by popup ads it may be infected with malware, especially if you have ever downdoaded music online or "free" software online.

Spyware is any software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without their knowledge, usually for advertising purposes. Spyware applications are typically bundled as a hidden component of freeware or shareware programs that can be downloaded from the Internet. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else. Spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers. Also called adware.

Rogue Software erroneously claims the system is infected and instructs the user to purchase a 'full version' in order to clean the bogus infections. Sometimes, rogue software gets installed by the user who fell victim to an advertising scam. Other times rogue software may be installed by exploit, often referred to as a 'drive-by install'. Regardless of how the rogue software gets installed, the user is often left with a hijacked, crippled system. Some of these scammers use product names that sound similar to reputable products, so be extremely careful when downloading software and if in doubt, ask somebody who knows.

Spyware, virus, worm - what's the difference?
Unlike viruses and worms, spyware does not usually self-replicate. Like many recent viruses, however, spyware exploits infected computers for commercial gain. Typical tactics include unsolicited pop-up advertisements, theft of personal information (including financial information such as credit card numbers), monitoring of Web-browsing activity for marketing purposes or re-directing (hijacking) webpages to advertising sites.

Phishing is where spammers send out an email that attempts to direct people to another website that looks like that of the bank or financial institution the email purports to have come from. Anyone handing over details could rapidly have their account plundered. Inbuilt anti-phishing technology in the new generation of browsers like Mozilla (Firefox 2.0) will help protect you.

Browser Helper Objects (BHOs) are small programs that run automatically every time you start your Internet browser. Usually, a BHO is installed on your system by another software program. Some of the most notorious examples are CoolWebSearch, MyWebSearch, MyWay Search Assistant, EliteBar, iMesh, PerfectNav (IncrediFind), Xupiter, Lop.com - to name just a few.

What do BHOs do? Generally, it will have something to do with helping you browse the Internet, however some BHOs are what is called ad-ware or spyware: they do things like monitor the websites you visit and report this data back to their creators.

There is no restriction on what a BHO can do your system; it can do anything any other program can do: read or write (or delete) anything on your system. Usually, the original software (that accompanies a BHO) is installed on your system by you. However, like most people, you have probably never bothered to read the EULA (End User Licence Agreement) before you click OK, but by doing so, you are in effect saying that you trust the vendor.

Browser Hijackers take over your browser, change the home page and attempt to funnel you into their own sites whenever you surf.

Homepage Hijacking often results from downloading programs like KaZaa, Morpheus, ShareBear and illegal software or similar programs over the internet.

The most important rule of the internet must be - be careful what you download, you may be getting a lot more than you realise!

Free Spyware Removal Tools
Don't buy expensive spyware removal tools - the programs I have included here are widely considered to be the best available for eliminating files and programs secreted on your computer without your knowledge.

More information on spyware available at these links:

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