FOUR-STEP DEFENCE AGAINST SPYWARE PARASITES BY MARTY R. MILETTE
Marty R. Milette details a 4-Step defence against spyware parasites.
Everyone knows about spyware, parasites and other malware.
I won't review them all here -- but what you may NOT know
about is a PROVEN, FOUR-STEP defense that will virtually
guarantee that your computer is protected in a practical,
simple manner.
Let me spoil the secret before you even read the article!
The steps are:
- Install a good anti-virus program.
- Install Spybot Search and Destroy.
- Install Microsoft Anti-Spyware.
- Keep everything up to date!
Can it really be that simple? YES!!!
How do I know? This is exactly what I have done to clean
and disinfect over 300 computers at two different companies
-- keeping them operating parasite-free for the past two
years! Here are the details...
1. Install a Good Anti-Virus Program.
If you are running any computer without a good anti-virus
program these days -- you're committing cyber-suicide!
It doesn't really matter which one you use. There is such
stiff competition between companies to keep up -- every one
is pretty much about the same -- or at least -- it will be
very quickly. So don't sweat it. Use ANY one you want
-- but just be sure to use one!
(I personally use McAfee, and receive virus-laden emails
every couple of days that are automatically deleted.)
2. Install Spybot Search and Destroy.
I don't generally recommend products, but make the exception
in this case because this program REALLY WORKS -- and is
FREE! (I DO encourage you to make a donation!)
Get it here: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/
Another tip: DO USE the "Tea Timer" continuous protection.
It is turned off by default -- so when you see the prompt
to enable it -- please do! It is much easier to PREVENT a
problem, than to try and cure it later.
3. Install Microsoft Anti-Spyware.
Many people believe that just because they have ONE
particular anti-spyware program, that they are covered.
DEFINITELY NOT! Spyware is one case where you absolutely MUST
use both a belt and suspenders.
You will find that there are many bits of malware that
Spybot S&D catches, but Microsoft doesn't -- and vice versa.
Also, one product may catch the parasite, but only the other
one can successfully remove it.
Microsoft Anti-Spyware is available here:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/
If you have a LEGAL copy of Windows, the download is FREE!
(But be warned that they WILL CHECK your windows, and you must
download and install the checking too. No big worries.)
4. Keep Everything Up To Date!
Last, but certainly not least, you absolutely MUST keep
your operating system, anti-virus and anti-spyware products
updated.
Microsoft releases patches and updates to all currently
supported versions of Windows almost weekly. Use the
"Automatic Update" feature to make sure you get them, or
check manually at least once a week through Internet
Explorer's Tools-Windows Update menu option.
Don't forget about keeping the other products updated also.
In previous versions of Spybot Search and Destroy, you
needed to do this manually.
Removal and Cleaning
Ideally, these four steps should be done just after the
system is first set up and before it ever hits the
Internet -- but if this isn't the case, don't be surprised
at all the viruses, parasites and malware you may find.
If this is the case, my recommended removal and cleansing
method is a 'top-down' approach -- from the simplest and
safest method -- down to the more difficult and dangerous.
(Legal: Everything in this article is "At Your Own Risk".)
1. See if the application has a menu entry or an "Uninstall"
or "Remove" option anywhere. Most legitimate software (but
ones that may carry parasites as extra baggage) may be able
to be removed (at least partially) this way.
2. Under the Windows Control Panel, select the "Add/Remove
Programs" applet -- look for, and "Uninstall" anything that
may be related to the malware. Be aware that many "innocent
looking" applications carry spyware, malware and parasites.
Remove anything in any way resembling problems exposed
through either of the anti-spyware programs.
3. Use the removal features of the anti-virus and
anti-spyware applications. I recommend doing this AFTER the
previous two steps, because sometimes the applications will
be removed more 'cleanly' by reversing their original
installation process.
Note: After performing any step, be sure to repeat the scan
with the anti-virus and/or anti-spyware program to see if the
problem was really fixed. You should continue trying to
remove the problem until the scan comes up clean. This may
also mean rebooting your computer between removal attempts.
Spybot Search and Destroy will prompt you to reboot and attempt
removal during the reboot if it encounters a particularly
stubborn bug.
4. In some cases, no amount of scanning/cleaning/rebooting
can remove the malware. In this case, you have two options:
a) Boot the computer into "Safe Mode" and re-attempt the
Spybot and Microsoft scan/removal process. (To get your
computer to boot into Safe Mode -- press F8 just after
restart -- and select "Safe Mode" from the boot menu.)
This may allow you to remove applications that are run
automatically at start-up, but that protect themselves by
preventing the file from being deleted while the bug is
running.
b) Boot the computer into Safe Mode, Run "Regedit" or
"Regedt32" and try to clean the parasite by searching
the registry for strings that the anti-virus programs
have found.
Note: I won't provide detailed instructions on registry
editing -- because if you don't know how to do it already
-- you'd probably better not try! It can mess you up.
================================================================
Marty R. Milette is a Microsoft Certified Professional with
over 20 years of IT experience. He holds CTT+, MCT, MCSE+I,
MCP+SB, MCSD, MCSA and A+ certifications, publishes articles,
developed and delivered training to the US Military in Europe.
Mr. Milette operates over 200 web sites, including "All My
Best Hotels" (http://www.ambh.com) and is available for training
and consulting assignments throughout Europe. A Canadian citizen,
he lives with his wife and son in beautiful St. Petersburg
Russia.
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SPYWARE DEFINITION LIST BY GREGG GRESHAM
The list of adware and spyware definitions runs very long. But these definitions listed below are some of the most common ones. This is a glossary of spyware facts and terms so you'll know what these malicious programs can do to your computer.
Adware
Adware components install along with a shareware or freeware download. The adware developer creates revenue advertisements usually through pop up windows. Most adware components are actually installed with consent from the user. The reason this happens is because most people never bother to read the end-user license agreement that comes with software.
Spyware
Spyware is often installed bundled with freeware or shareware, much like adware. Spyware gathers and transmits sensitive and personal information about the user's behavior to an unknown party. The data is collected without the user even knowing it happened. By the time you discover it, the damage has been done and the hacker is long gone.
Browser Hijackers
Browser hijackers are innocently installed as helpful browser toolbars. They can alter your browser settings and can change your default home page to point to another site.
Trojan Horse Programs
Trojan horse programs sneak into your system and run without you realizing it like spyware. Programmers use these programs for any number of malicious uses and none of them you would approve of. But one good thing is Trojan horse programs do not make copies of themselves.
Tracking cookies
Tracking cookies are files with small amounts of data like passwords and settings. Tracking cookies can provide a benefit to you especially if you revisit web sites. But in the wrong hands, cookies are used to track your Internet behavior. This is done without your knowledge or consent and provides marketers with private information about you.
Keyloggers
Keyloggers are programs that run silently in the background, recording all your keystrokes. Once the keystrokes are logged, they can be retrieved later by the hacker using a remote keyloggers program. The hacker can get your passwords, credit card numbers and any other personal information on your computer.
Malware
The definition of malware is any malicious software or program that will harm your computer. Computer viruses, worms and Trojans are all considered malware, but several other types of programs may also be included under the term.
Password Cracker
A password cracker is simply a program used to decrypt a password or password file. Security administrators use password crackers for legitimate use by using them to improve system security. But you can only imagine the dangers when a hacker gets a program like this.
There are many other spyware definitions including scumware, annoyanceware, parasites and the list continues to grow daily.
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