You have Got Spyware? Read This

[Schucz]

This is so you dont have to keep posting asking about spyware (adware as well).

You may have spyware if




You keep seeing adverts popping up, even when your browser is not open.
Your home page has changed or other internet settings have changed without you doing anything
Your web browser has new things on it you haven't installed- Such as a new toolbar at the top
Your computer seems generally sluggishHow to see if you have it and then get rid of it.
You need to have one of the following downloaded. AntiSpyware Software such as Norton or McAfee does not help prevent against spyware very well. Click on the links to download them:
Microsoft Anti Spyware (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=321CD7A2-6A57-4C57-A8BD-DBF62EDA9671&displaylang=en)
Spyware Doctor 3.2 (http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/*****=d1)
Spyware Seach and Destroy (http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10401314.html?tag=pop)
Ad Aware (http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=pop)
eTrust Pest Patrol (http://www.download.com/eTrust-PestPatrol-Anti-Spyware/3000-8022_4-10057371.html?tag=txt) (30 day trial)
Bazooka (http://www.download.com/Bazooka-Adware-and-Spyware-Scanner/3000-8022_4-10247782.html)
Spy Sweeper (http://www.download.com/Webroot-Spy-Sweeper/3000-8022_4-10405877.html)
Spyware Blaster (http://www.download.com/SpywareBlaster/3000-8022_4-10486084.html?tag=lst-0-1)These downloads all have prevention devices, such as auto-scans as well as automatic detection. Make sure you also run a full spyware scan at least once a fortnight (better once a week) to make sure you are not infected.

I cannot stress enough how much better Firefox browser is in preventing spyware, against Internet Explorer. Download Firefox here (http://www.mozilla.org/)

Recognisable manifestations of Spyware on your computer
If you see these brand names on your computer you probably have spyware.
180 seach assistant- Will bring pop ups and redirect you to their website.
BargainBuddy- tracks your actions as well as giving ads everywhere
BookedSpace- Displays ads
Zserv- pop up ads
DownloadWare-Connects to the Internet; downloads and installs other third-party programs; disables other programs; collects personally identifiable information; displays ads
PerfectNav-Displays pop-up ads; installs Internet Explorer toolbar; collects personally identifiable information
Block-Checker.com- you will know if someone in your chat list has this as there messages to you will often start with something like "Is someone blocking you? Find out at w-w-w.b-l-ock-checker.-co-m" Be a good citizen and point them to this post, or use your new found knowledge to help them out ;)If you can't even use your computer cos the problem is so bad, restart the computer, repeatedly tap F8 key, and start in safe mode, then do a scan.

Now if you have read this and there is still something you dont understand you can post a question.

[gluwater]

This has been a public service anouncement brought to you by your friendly PixelShooter webmaster.

Thanks Schucz I'm already protected but I'm sure a lot of people aren't. Did you have a spyware problem?

[Bobby]

Thanks, very good advice, I run 2 spyware programs, at least twice a week. I think when you come to the internet there is no such thing as being too paranoid.

[Rudi]

LOL. I though it was gonna say: You may have spyware if... you own a PC and run Windows... ;) :D

Seriously though, spyware and malware are becoming so much more of a problem these days! I am the IT guru for my dad's machine, and even though he is protected, and is getting better at knowing what he should and shouldn't do, there is always new stuff coming out! I am forever checking and cleaning his computer.

No anti-spyware program catches 100% of the spyware, sometimes only 30-40%, and the best ones out there only catch 60-70%! So you have to run more than one, probably more than two, to be reasonably sure that you are protecting yourself against this s**t! By the time you load up all this real-time protection, no wonder some machines slow right down - all this stuff is using your CPU cycles, it's not a free lunch!

I am hoping Vista will be more secure than XP. Given Microsofts's track record, I am not holding my breath...

There is one very effective way to fight viruses and spyware. Use another OS! Let's not forget that you have good (and sometimes FREE) alternatives to Windows. Some Linux distros are so good, you won't want to go back! Ubuntu is absolutely awesome!

My computers? Well let's just say that there are perks to running Macs, more free time is one of them! (No scanning or cleaning all the time). I did not fully appreciate this freedom before switching (I switched for other reasons), but it is the one thing that I appreciate the most these days! :D

Good luck, and thank you, Schutz, for putting up this timely warning. :)

[Guy]

Another good one is AVG Anti-Spyware. You can get the free download here......
http://www4.grisoft.com/doc/trial/lng/us/tpl/tpl01
Look under the " Home and Small Office " section, download AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5 ver. make sure you update it after the install process has run it's course.
For 30 days it will function fully but after that time the automated stuff will vamoose. You will still be able to run it manually though. When I ran it the program picked up a few things many of the others didn't and while within the 30 trial period it blocked just about everything in it's tracks.

[Spock]

Ref: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5#avg-anti-virus-free

Grisoft also has a free version of AVG that I highly recommend for those on a tight budget. They just went to version 7.5, so even if you have the old version, you will have to switch to the new one.

The also now offer a 30 day free trial on their Anti-Spyware product. When the 30 days is up, it will keep working with some reduced functionality. No, I don't know what will stop working, I'm just repeating what I've read.

I have used the free version long enough to come to trust it more than some of the other names out there, so I will probably end up buying a copy for all my computers if the new version is as good as the old. I look forward to seeing what the paid version offers that the free doesn't.

I have a list of freeware programs I recommend to my students. I wil have to take a look at some of the ones in the first post. Layered protection is a must any more. It never hurts to have too much protection ... unless the programs interfere with each other. :unsure: