What is
Spyware,
Malware and Adware?
Spyware, adware, malware, hijackers or "varmints" as I like to call
them, are programs that usually install themselves with out your
knowledge and try to takeover your computer for their purpose. The
programs include browser hijackers, (porn) dialers, ad servers,
keyloggers, and many more. With enough of these various
programs on
your system, it can literally bring your system to a halt.
Think of it this way - each spyware program has it's own agenda. When
it installs, it has one priority - use your system to do it's dirty
work. Now imagine you have 30 of these spyware programs on your system
and they all are trying to start and run when Windows starts. And that
is on top of what you already have starting when Windows starts. I have
seen a system worse than this, after only a week on the Internet using
a DSL connection and no firewall, no antivirus - no protection of any
kind. This computer took about 20 minutes before the hard drive stopped
churning. Then another 10 minutes to reach MSCONFIG so I could remove
all the checkmarks from most of the startup items. A few returned (as
spyware sometimes does), but enough remained dormant so that I could
work on the system. It took almost 3 hours to clean this system.
There are tools available on the Internet to help
clean the spyware off your system. Some will also help to keep it from
being installed on your system and can help to keep your homepage in
your browser from being changed. Below is a brief description of
programs available and where to get them.
One thing to remember about spyware - No program is perfect and no one
program will remove all spyware. It is best to have a couple of
programs that you use to scan your system, What one program misses, the
other will usually find. Also, keep them updated just like
your
virus
protection programs.
Spybot Search and
Destroy
- provides several levels of protection. SB
will scan
your system and remove all spyware it finds. SB will allow you to lock
your homepage and hosts files from being changed. You can also immunize
your system - this will set a killbit in the registry that will prevent
spyware from being installed on your system. SB also recommends that
you use the next program I mention in this list for immunization as it
will give you more control over ActiveX protection. It will even let
you access the program from within SB if it is already installed on
your system.
SpywareBlaster
- is for preventing spyware from installing on your system, as it is an
immunization and prevention program. It will prevent spyware from
changing settings such as your homepage and
from changing your hosts files. As mentioned above, it will allow you
to create your own list of ActiveX controls you want to block and you
can also block flash content and downloads. Prevention is the best cure!
aSquared
free
-
Is a special program as it removes many types of
malware
including - trojan and worm viruses, spyware and dialers. This free
version will allow you to scan your system, remove any malware it
finds, and update. For a fee, the personal version will give you
background protection and system analysis tools. Either version will
require registering and an account activation with aSquared.
Whether you choose the free or personal version, this is a
must
have tool. If you are interested in the personal version of aSquared
and the extra tools it provides,
you can click
here.
Spy Sweeper
- is for scanning and removing spyware and malware. You can download
and
use the program to scan your system, but must purchase a subscription
to update the definitions. Normally I do not recommend subscription
programs like this, but after scanning my system with this program, it
found a trojan and several spywares that other programs had missed. So
if you are willing to pay for the subscription - it is well worth it.
SpywareGuard
- Provides real time protection against spyware. It has browser hijack
protection, download protection and real time scan engine. It runs when
Windows starts and resides in the system tray for full time protection.
AdawareSE
- is the first spyware removal programs I used and has probably been
around the longest. It scans your system and
removes spyware found. Free for personal use.
GRC
Tools - These
are tools to disable windows services that can be used to take over
your system and normally you do not need.
Shoot the
Messenger
UnPlugNPlay
DCOMbobulator
Socket Lock
GRC
Mailing List
GRC's
Freeware Page
