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IN DEPTH: BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO COMPUTER SECURITY
Protecting your personal information
CBC News Online | Feb. 18, 2005
SPYWARE | »PHISHING | SHOPPING ONLINE | »COOKIES | »WIRELESS NETWORKS
What is spyware?
Spyware can monitor your online activities.
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Spyware is a general term for programs that could monitor your computer use or look for personal data stored on your computer. It can be installed on your computer without your knowledge, sometimes through free programs downloaded from the internet, or peer-to-peer file-sharing.
Different forms of spyware can pop up ads on your computer screen, track your online activities or hijack your browser. At the very least, these programs can slow your system down. At its worst, spyware can log your keystrokes, scan your hard drive and change your system's settings, paving a way for identity thieves to capture your personal information.
Ryan Purita, a consultant at Totally Connected Security Ltd., says that in the last two years, he has dealt with more users infected with spyware than all other threats combined: "Spyware acts much like a virus, some are even classified as such by anti-virus companies. If you have ever had a pop-up happen out of the blue without a browser loaded, or when you do a search you always end up on some weird site that seems to sell a lot of Viagra, and Valium, you have spyware."
According to a study released in 2004 by America Online and the U.S. National Cyber Security Alliance, 80 per cent of home computers were infected with spyware.
Types of spyware
Adware is software that displays pop-up ads as the program is running. Some adware becomes a form of spyware when it tracks a user's surfing habits and passes that information to a third party.
Malware or malicious software, is generally used as a catch-all term to refer to any program created to do damage to a computer system.
A Trojan horse is a program that appears to be useful, but its actual intent is to cause damage to your computer, or compromise your confidential information.
A browser hijacker can change your homepage and redirect your search engines.
A keyboard logger is one of the more potentially damaging types of spyware. These programs can record your keystrokes, such as your PIN number, passwords and other confidential information.
Internet dialers or web dialers can dial long distance numbers, usually for adult chat line services overseas. This program can install itself on a user's computer through a virus, MP3 files or visiting some porn sites. Victims of internet dialers don't realize their modem has been compromised until their phone bill arrives with thousands of dollars in long distance charges.
How to prevent spyware
- Before installing free software, read the licence agreement. Security experts say that most people don't read the disclosure that comes with the free program, which states that the recipients have given their agreement to have information on their online habits collected and sent back to the company's site for marketing purposes.
- Only download programs from websites you trust. If you're unsure about a program, do some research to see if anyone has reported spyware in connection with it.
- Be cautious with free file-sharing programs. Find out whether there is other software packaged with the freeware. That so-called free program may come bundled with some spyware.
- Install anti-spyware programs. Make sure they're updated. See CBC technology columnist Tod Maffin's tips for getting rid of spyware.
- Do not click on any links in an e-mail or in pop-up ads offering anything for free. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Install updated anti-virus software and a firewall. Anti-virus programs can prevent infections, and a good firewall will help filter unwanted communication between the internet and your computer. Find out more on the Top 5 section.
| |  | GETTING RID OF SPYWARE
Tod Maffin
CBC technology columnist
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If you use Microsoft Windows, you should protect your computer against spyware and adware. (Mac users are mostly immune.) To protect yourself, you'll need a few simple software tools – these are all free.
Step 1:
Scan for existing spyware. Use Ad-Aware, Spybot Search & Destroy, and Microsoft AntiSpyware to scan and clean your computer of existing nasties. Make sure you update the programs before you run them. You'll catch more if you run these in "safe mode."
Step 2:
Immunize. Protect your computer from future problems by running Spyware Blaster. This will block many bad sites. Finally, turn "Real Time Protection" on in Microsoft AntiSpyware.
Signs of spyware
Does your Windows computer suffer from any of these symptoms?
- Slow and sluggish especially when surfing the Internet
- Pop-up windows appear, even though you have a pop-up blocker
- Your browser's home page keeps getting "hijacked"
- Your cursor changes shape or pretty backgrounds appear on your browser's toolbars
Or do you have any of the following programs installed on your computer?
- Kazaa Media Desktop / File Sharing
- Comet Cursor
- Gator
- HotBar or HuntBar
- Grokster
If so, you likely have spyware installed.
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