What can I do about

SpyWare

And How does it get on MY computer!!!

First Off-- What is SpyWare?
SpyWare / AdWare / Malware -- whatever name you want to call it is software or Plug-Ins that are downloaded and installed on your computer that are designed to keep track of your computer habits while you are on and off of the Internet. These programs report your surfing habits "anonymously" back to Advertising web sites who in turn share that information with other advertising web sites who in turn share that information with yet more mass advertising companies and web sites.

Here is another definition of SpyWare from security expert Steve Gibson of Gibson Research.
www.grc.com

Spyware is ANY SOFTWARE which employs a user's Internet connection in the background (the so-called "backchannel") without their knowledge or explicit permission.
Silent background use of an Internet "backchannel" connection MUST BE PRECEDED by a complete and truthful disclosure of proposed backchannel usage, followed by the receipt of explicit, informed, consent for such use.
ANY SOFTWARE communicating across the Internet absent these elements is guilty of information theft and is properly and rightfully termed: Spyware.

 

This page is intended to help You take back control of your computer from the many pieces of tracking software that have found their way onto and into your computer so you can once again enjoy the Internet Experience.

The following is a list of some of the more common instances of SpyWare . Do you recognize any of them? If so, your computer is probably infested / infected.

 

Comet Cursor   Precision Time     Date manager     KaZaa Media Desktop (v. 2.5.1 and higher)    eAnthology     eAccelerator

Bonzi Buddy     Commission Junction      Gator      My WebSearch       My Search       Search Hotbar       WildTangent Games      Alexa

n-Case      AdBlaster        SpyHunter       Internet Washer    New.Net (NewDotNet)     Httper

 

This list is by no means anywhere near complete. However, these are the programs that stick out in my mind.

 

When my computer starts bogging down and running like a dog there are a few processes that I go through to clean it up. Remember though, that no matter how careful you are while on the internet, no one is immune to the barrage of garbage that comes with it! You can drastically cut down on the amount of stuff that you get on your computer by remembering some Safe Surfing habits Like: 1) First and Foremost -- Keep your Anti-Virus software updated -- Your antivirus software is only as good as the last update. 2) If a box Pops up on your screen never click the OK or Close button on it -- Always use the Red X in the upper Right hand corner of the box. 3) If you are asked through an e-mail to verify Personal Information Don't use the handy link that the e-mail provides. Manually go to that website and update your information if the WebSite asks for it. (This is a common method of stealing E-Bay, PayPal, and Credit Card account information) 4) Never Use the unsubscribe link in a spam e-mail -- this will only verify to the spammer that the e-mail address that unsubscribed is in fact a good address to continue spamming. 5) Download and install Legitimate Spyware detection software (If it pops up on your screen and offers a download to get rid of spyware don't do it! It is just a deceptive package for more Spyware) Facspro.Net recommends LavaSoft's Adaware SE available here and Spybot Search & Destroy by PepiMK Software available here. There is also and Online Active- scanner available at Spywareguide.com
These are the only Spyware Programs that Facspro.Net recommends
Make sure that you run the Updates from within the program each time you use these programs.