Spyware FAQ
How to Avoid Spyware
How to Find and Clean Spyware

Q: What is Spyware?

A: Spyware is any program or file on your computer that monitors your activities (such as internet sites visited) and reports these activities to someone else using the internet. Spyware programs are not meant to find passwords or "hack" your computer, they are used primarily by adve rtising companies to either collect data about your interests to sell to other companies, or to make you offers that they think you will be interested in.

Q: What is the difference between Spyware and Adware?

A: Very little. Adware is really just a form of Spyware but instead of sending personal data to a remote server Adware opens popups on your computer that are related to your activities. Example: You visit a site about cars, Adware on your computer then pops up another website from one of their sponsors trying to sell cars. Some programs are both Spyware and Adware.

Q: What's so bad about a little more advertising?

A: Spyware and Adware pose two main concerns:

1. Although much of the information sent is harmless, personal information is sometimes sent via the internet, non-secured, completely unknown to the infected user.

2. Poorly written spyware often leaves a computer running slower, crashing more often, and sometimes even vulnerable to hackers, viruses, and internet worms.

The #1 source of Spyware and Adware is bundled software. Data collecting companies have adopted a very efficient method for tricking users into installing their programs. They have contracted with hundreds of ineternet companies to "bundle" spyware and adware with screensavers, downloaders, Windows themes, music makers, and many more. Often times these "fun" programs are touted as free of charge.

Step 1: Be Cautious

Remember that downloading and installing anything from the internet that is free of charge has the risk of Spyware and Adware.

Note: Many well known, national companies offer free screensavers, wallpapers and applications. These are usually safe to download and install.

Step 2: Read the EULA

A EULA, or End User License Agreement, accompanies most install programs.

Some EULAs will have a provision that includes your agreement to install extra software.

If a program has this provision it is usually best to cancel the install.

Step 3: Uncheck the Boxes

Some more reliable internet companies will package Spyware with their programs as an option. During the install you can simply "opt out" by unchecking the boxes for these extra software packages.

Many times this simple action will protect your computer while still being able to install the software you want.

Option 1. Anti Spyware programs.

Finding and cleaning Spyware can be a difficult task. The first and best defense is a good Spyware cleaning program, such as Lavasoft's Ad-Aware, Microsoft's AntiSpyware (Beta) or Spybot: Search and Destroy. You can download any of these programs by clicking on their picture below.

All of these programs only work well when kept up to date. Be sure to follow the software's instructions to keep the spyware definitions current.

Option 2. Find and clean Spyware manually.

Step 1. Look at what programs are running on your computer.

Press Ctrl Alt Del while in Windows

Change to the "Processes" Tab

Many processes are part of windows. If you suspect a process of being spyware run a search on the process name on a popular search engine such as Google, MSN or Yahoo. Many sites have brief explanations of windows processes and if they are harmful to your computer. The search example below includes wcescomm.exe, a process from the image above.

 

Step 2. Remove a process that is Spyware or otherwise unneeded. If a process is determined to be harmful, keep it from starting when windows starts.

Run the msconfig command. Click Start>Run. Type in "msconfig" without the quotes and click OK.

Switch to the Startup tab.

Any item that has a check mark will start with windows. Simply click on the check box to remove an item from startup.