Spyware is everywhere! It can degrade your computer's performance to a crawl, steal personal information, track the sites visited on the Internet, and install itself without your knowledge.
How You Get It
Your system gets infected with spyware basically three different ways:
1) Drive-By Downloads
2) Bundled in software that you install
3) Installed by other spyware.
The biggest offenders are file-sharing programs like KaZaa, Morpheus and Grokster. Tests have shown that one of these applications can easily load 50 or so unwanted objects (spyware). Technically, most of these applications are legitimately installed. When the EULA (End User License Agreement) flashes before your eyes, it often states somewhere that it will load spyware onto your system.
In my opinion, spyware is the worst thing that has happened to computers in the past few years. Most anti-virus programs won’t even touch this stuff. Some spyware inserts itself deep into the operating system and then spawns new processes (programs) every time you reboot. Those Matrix fans will know what I'm talking about... How many Agent Smiths did Neo take-on at one time?
Just in the past 2 months I’ve disinfected over a half dozen PCs with varying degrees of spyware infestation. The removal process even for savvy users can take anywhere between 1 and 6 hours, and there is no guarantee the system will be completely parasite free.
How You Know
How do you know if your system is infected with spyware? Here are some tell-tale signs:
Your phone bill includes expensive 900 number calls (provided you have a modem installed and connected)
- You open IE and don't get the page you expected to get by default (a.k.a. browser hijacking)
- Your Favorites List has some new entries you didn't put there
Your system runs noticeably slower than it did before - The send/receive lights on your network card blink wildly when you're not doing anything
You get more than just a few of pop-up advertisements while you surf
Of course, the worst kind of spyware is the kind that you don't know about (hence, the name "spyware"). Fortunately, most spyware application developers are competing with each other and in the process are leaving a data trail.
Removing It
I used to tell clients to just run an anti-spyware utility and that should do it. This course of action just doesn't work anymore. In addition, there are entries in the registry (Windows core database) that, while somewhat difficult for a tech savvy user to identify, are impossible for an ordinary user to catch.
Disinfecting a system can be a very time consuming exercise. Unfortunately, there aren't any easy solutions. You can run two or three different anti-spyware utilities, and this may take care of most of it, but there is some sypware that cannot be removed by simply running a software utility.
The ONLY way to completely remove spyware with a high degree of confidence is by using what I call the BFR method: Backup, Format, and Reinstall. Otherwise, you must systematically remove the spyware from your system application by application. It can be done, but at what cost? Sometimes the effort pays off and sometime it doesn't.
Work-around
Given the scope of this war, I’m strongly urging all of my clients (past and present) to change their portal to the Web. In short, stop using Internet Explorer and install Mozilla FireFox as soon as possible! This software is easy to install and is Free. When asked to make it your default browser, answer YES.
Unfortunately, you can't easily remove or disable IE all together, but you can remove it from the Windows Components List. However, the first time you launch a program that calls for IE, it will automatically reinstall itself---thanks Microsoft!
IE is a core component of Windows XP. It is needed for you to perform Windows Updates (FireFox will not help you here). I recommend first cleaning your system of spyware, then just leave IE alone.
FireFox is less prone to pop-ups, and can never be a victim of Microsoft’s ActiveX controls---a common spyware vehicle to infecting your PC.
FireFox not only loads faster than IE, but it even supports features that IE doesn’t. For example, Tab-Browsing is a cool feature. This feature allows you to open several webpages simultaneously with one mouse-click. Trust me, after you browse the web using tabs, you’ll never want to go back to one page at a time. No, I am not a Mozilla share holder "yet".
Despite all the recent efforts by Microsoft to make IE a secure browser with SP2, I believe it’s an unrealistic expectation at this point in time. Naturally, spyware developers are going to target the largest audience possible. Almost 90% of all home computers have Windows installed on them.
Reload Your Ammo
At a minimum, if you suspect your PC is infected with spyware, run an anti-spyware utility and stop using IE. If you can’t get your PC back to normal or at least functional again, then contact me and I'll try to help you figure out the best option for you. Most direct PC manufacturers like Dell, Gateway, and HP come with Restore CDs. This makes it easy for you to wipe your drive and reinstall yourself.
Recommended Anti-spyware utilities:
- Spy Sweeper by Webroot (Free trial then subscription for $29.00)
- Ad-Aware SE by Lavasoft (Free download)
- Spybot Search and Destroy by PepiMK Software (Free download)
Note: To date, there isn't ONE anti-spyware utility that can detect and clean all spyware programs. Therefore, having more than one utility isn't a bad course of action.
Prevention
Of course, the best way to fight spyware is by stopping it from entering your system in the first place. Note, however, that TOTAL spyware prevention is probably an unrealistic goal. Here's a short list of things you can do to prevent the bad Spyware:
- Avoid using file-sharing software like KaZaa
- If you use an Instant Messaging service like AIM or IM, disable the file-sharing option
- Avoid visiting porn, dating and/or bootleg software web sites
- Get one or more anti-spyware programs and perform periodic scans
- Read the EULA carefully before installing ANY new software
- Avoid sharing your computer with other family/office members
- Stop using Internet Explorer as your primary browser
- Avoid opening email with suspicious subject headings
- Delete unsolicited e-mail without reading it if you can
- Turn off the preview pane feature in Outlook and Outlook Express
- Install a pop-up stopper like the google toolbar
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