Spyware The ugly side of computing

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SpywareThe ugly side of computing

• Regretfully presented by
• Lee Lasson
• lee_at_on-line.com

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What is Spyware?

• A general term for a program that surreptitiously
  monitors your actions. While they are sometimes
  sinister, like a remote control program used by a
  hacker, software companies have been known to use
  spyware to gather data about customers. The
  practice is generally frowned upon.
  blackice.iss.net/glossary.php
• A technology that assists in gathering
  information about a person or organization
  without their knowledge. On the Internet,
  "spyware is programming that is put in someone's
  computer to secretly gather information about the
  user and relay it to advertisers or other
  interested parties." As such, spyware is cause
  for public concern about privacy on the Internet.
  reach.ucf.edu/coursdev/cdrom/html/help/glossary.
  html
• http//www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/s
  pywarewhat.mspx

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Do you have spyware?

• If you havent checked you probably do have some
  sort of spyware on your computer.
• If you checked once six months ago and didnt
  have any, you probably have some now.
• If you have checked with several tools recently
  you are less likely to have spyware.

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You might have spyware on your computer if

• You see pop-up advertisements even when you're
  not on the Web.
• The page your Web browser first opens to (your
  home page) or your browser 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.
• Your computer takes longer than usual to complete
  certain tasks.
• You experience a sudden rise in computer crashes.

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Spyware can be

• Cookies
• Tracks your activities on web sites
• Keyboard loggers
• Records and sends your keystrokes to cyber
  thieves
• Ad poppers
• On your system and popup ads. Hides by trying to
  look like a legitimate program.
• Zombie for nefarious activity
• Your computer could be sending out spam or

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What to do?

• Use the latest Anti-Virus software as it is
  becoming more conscious of spyware threats.
• Use Spybot Search Destroy 1.3
• Consider trying Microsoft AntiSpyware (beta)
• Explain to other users of your computer that an
  errant click can invite trojans and spyware into
  your computer.

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How to Prevent Spyware

• Only download programs from Web sites you trust.
  If you're not sure whether to trust a program you
  are considering downloading, ask a knowledgeable
  friend or enter the name of the program into your
  favorite search engine to see if anyone else has
  reported that it contains spyware.
• Read all security warnings, license agreements,
  and privacy statements associated with any
  software you download.
• Never click "agree" or "OK" to close a window.
  Instead, click the red "x" in the corner of the
  window or press the Alt F4 buttons on your
  keyboard to close a window.
• Be wary of popular "free" music and movie
  file-sharing programs, and be sure you clearly
  understand all of the software packaged with
  those programs.
• From Microsofts
• http//www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/s
  pywareprevent.mspx

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Spybot Search Destroy 1.3

• Ask for it by name
• http//www.on-line.com/security/ has link
• Follow all the steps
• Download
• Install
• Search for updates
• Download updates
• Search for problems
• Fix problems (may require several reboots)
• Immunize against known problems.

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Microsoft AntiSpyware (beta)

• Beta software isnt ready for production use.
  Please dont use beta software on any computer
  that is mission critical.
• 6 million downloads to date
• Was Giant AntiSpyware till bought by Microsoft.
• Free download for now and good through 7.31.2005

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Minimum system requirements for Windows
AntiSpyware (Beta)

• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
• A 300 MHz or faster processor with at least 64 MB
  of RAM
• Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows
  Server 2003
• At least 10 MB of available free space on your
  hard disk
• Internet access with at least a 28.8 Kbps
  connection to use SpyNet

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Download from Microsoft

• http//www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?Fa
  milyID321cd7a2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-dbf62eda9671displa
  ylangen
• Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) is a security
  technology that helps protect Windows users from
  spyware and other potentially unwanted software.
  Known spyware on your PC can be detected and
  removed. This helps reduce negative effects
  caused by spyware including slow PC performance,
  annoying pop-up ads, unwanted changes to Internet
  settings, and unauthorized use of your private
  information. Continuous protection improves
  Internet browsing safety by guarding over 50 ways
  spyware can enter your PC.

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Spyware Scan
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Remove Spyware Threats
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Browser Hijacked?
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Set your defaults
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Summary Screen
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Questions Discussion

• members_at_epicug.org
• Advanced Resources
• HiJackThis.exe
• http//www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/Top
• Note this one can cause problems if you remove
  the wrong thing(s) so please be careful!