Spyware - a few tips for its removal

George Orwell's 1984 - fact or fiction? Fortunately, it is fiction - no Big Brother is watching us, monitoring our activities. Or is it? Every time you connect to the internet, your computer could be divulging your best held secrets.

Malicious software (Malware) goes by a range of different names: Spyware, worms, viruses, Trojans, Adware, sniffers, keyloggers, dialers, to mention just a few. In this item, I am going to suggest a few measures which should help prevent Spyware.

What is Spyware and what does it do to a computer? Spyware programs are small applications that install themselves without your knowledge and are picked up in two different ways. Firstly, spyware can install itself when downloading another program from an innocent looking site and secondly through ActiveX controls hidden in the source code embedded in certain web sites or pop-up advertisements.

So what does Spyware do to a computer? Basically, these programs monitor an individual's Internet usage and send the data to other commercial sites. Apart from supplying information to a third party, Spyware can significantly sap the computer's resources. This normally manifests itself by the system running slower.

Terminology varies but Adware is normally the term given to less intrusive advertising banners as opposed to Spyware which is designed to be more invasive. They are closely related and I shall use the term "Spyware" to mean either spyware or adware.

How do you avoid collecting it? Easy - disable ActiveX control in your browser, never visit a P2P site and never download anything. A little boring - so what practical measure can be taken? To start with, definitely do not just download a free package which purports to be a spyware remover. Often these programs will be contain actual spyware. They look the business and may even have some personal recommendations but check their background, especially if they just popped up when surfing a site. A typical message will be "Your Computer has Spyware - free download". Unless you know the program. avoid it.

Beware of the Imposters

Here are just a few Spyware programs masquerading as removal tools as listed by
2-spyware.com

Spy Control, SpyKiller 2005, SpywareAssasin, SpywareNo

They list well over 100 similar programs. If you are uncertain about your spyware check the 2-spyware full list

The Removable Business

Skybot Search and Destroy
In addition to your Windows Security and Anti Virus, we suggest you take a look at the following.

Spybot - Search & Destroy has been around and is still one of the best. It has all the normal functions and the better news, it is free, with the option of donating a small amount to its author Patrick M. Kolla. The application checks the registry, cookies, current processes, files and directories. It uses an extensive, regularly updated database which contains malware signatures. As it mainly relies on its database it does need frequent updating so recent threats can be dealt with.

Spybot Search and Destroy can be downloaded from numerous places or go to Skybot's Website

Also worth looking at are:-
Spyware Doctor - A powerful, efficient and spyware remover, made by PC Tools
eTrust Pestpatrol - A powerful, effective and very easy-to-use spyware remover
Downloads and further information from 2-spyware.com

Lavasoft Ad Aware
Another old favorite. Although works it a very similar manner to Spybot, it is well worth running in conjunction with Spybot. There are two versions, the professional and standard, available. For most home users the standard version should suffice, especially as it is free.

HijackThis
This is a relatively new on the block and is very effective and security tool. The earlier versions were designed to detect and eliminate browser hijackers. The latest version can also be used to find and remove malicious browser plugins, unsolicited software, various viral parasites, most spyware and adware threats. It works in a different manner to the other two applications. The program checks only the Windows registry, running processes and few system files. After a scan it produces a list of potentially harmful objects. Then it is up to the user to decide which one to remove. The main problem is that does not divide detected objects into malicious and legitimate ones, but lists all suspicious entries. Then it is up to the user to remove anything that could cause a threat. Great if you know what is what but not such good news for the less experienced. However salvation is on its way. The program gives the option of a log file. Copy the log file and go to a site that goes by the name of I am not a geek and paste it in the area provided. Then click Parse and the site analysing your log and divided into essentual and malious objects. Then go back and click the objects you to remove and all's fine - possibly!