Kim's Cool Site of the Day is a free service of The Kim Komando
Computer Show, one of the Top 10 Most Listened to Programs in the
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Why
try to figure out if you've got spyware in your computer? Let
someone else do the dirty work.
Spychecker provides links to software to help rid yourself of spyware.
Much of the software is free. It also has a really useful tool. Type in
the name of shareware and it will tell you if contains known spyware.
I
use this to check the shareware pick each week!
TO VISIT THIS SITE, GO HERE: http://www.spychecker.com
HOW DOES SPYWARE CIRCUMVENT FIREWALLS?
Bill called from Palm Coast, FL, with a question about pop-ups.
Since firewalls are supposed to block outbound transmissions, he
wanted to know how spyware could communicate with the Internet.
Good question, Bill.
Spyware tracks your surfing habits and reports them to a mother
computer on the Internet. Ads are then tailored for your interests.
The ads are often pop-ups.
When a program is blocked by a firewall, the firewall gives you the
option of letting it through. I checked with ZoneLabs, which confirmed
that the ZoneAlarm firewall blocks spyware. So if you're getting pop-
ups, you probably approved the program's access to the Internet. There
was one spyware program that manipulated a firewall into giving
permission automatically. But that was an unusual situation.
Make sure you keep your firewall updated.
Q. I heard you mention on your radio show not to download the password
management program Gator. Are there other programs that I should avoid
if I see them on the Internet?
A. First a word about Gator. Gator is a free software program that
remembers Web site login names, account numbers, and passwords.
It also fills out forms and keeps personal data encrypted. Sounds
great, but Windows takes care of most of this, anyway. Besides, nothing
is free. Gator is spyware.
Spyware (also known as adware) is typically a program placed on your
hard drive that tracks your Web surfing habits. It reports back to a
computer on the Internet. That way, you get customized advertising.
The Internet has countless shareware programs, many of which are great
additions to your computer. But some arrive with so much spyware and
bad behavior that they are just not worthwhile.
Below are some other programs to avoid. And in case you installed
them on your computer, I have provided links for removal.
If you don't want this stuff on your computer, it's up to you to block
it. Here are some tips:
-- Read the terms when you download software. Yes, I know this
is agony. But legitimate programs (most are) will tell you if
they include spyware.
-- Install a software firewall, such as ZoneAlarm
(http://www.zonelabs.com)
and Outpost (http://www.agnitum.com).
Most will not let a program report back to the Internet without
your permission.
-- Use spyware scanning programs, such as Ad-aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<,
(This is the one I use)
and Spybot Search and Destroy (http://security.kolla.de).
Check regularly for updates.
Spyware probably won't hurt anything. But I don't like having a program
on my computer controlled by someone else.
Before you download a program, check it in the database at SpyChecker
(http://www.spychecker.com).
This database will tell you if spyware is
included in the package.
