Name: Sudarwonoage: 11 July 1980Status: SingleAddress: Lawen, Pandanarum, Banjarnegara 53458Office: Jln. Tidar No. 42 Magelang 56122Province: Jawa TengahCountry: IndonesiaContact: +628886843154Email: sudarwono@ymail.comPS: Don't be Hidden from Reality...
Contents This Blog:
- Spyware: Detect Them and Kill Them...!!
- Prevention is the Best Cure for a Computer Virus
- Spyware Removal: No Room for Spyware...!!
- Spyware and Adware The War Against It
- How to Protect from Malware
- Tips to Choose Secure PINs and Passwords
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Spyware is a small program that is installed in your computer forcibly in an unauthorized way. As the name suggests, these are like spies who try to gather your personal and financial information that are stored on your computer with an objective to do fraud. Make sure that your computer is loaded with the program that can block spyware. However, not every spyware program is associated with fraudulent activities.
In most cases, they are installed in your computer in order to understand your Internet surfing behavior so that the data is transferred to various business bodies to help them with their massive targeted advertising campaigns. Nevertheless, it is still an infringement of your privacy!
What Do Spyware Programs Do?
Spyware programs infect your computer in several ways. The most common thing that they do is to set your homepage to a URL that shows some specific advertisement. What is more, these pages keep opening on your system repeatedly in every few minutes.
Most of the times Internet users use search engines to reach a specific website. These spyware programs can even redirect you to an advert-filled search engine. Pop ups are also a major source of spyware programs. One of the best ways to get rid of spyware is to avoid downloading unauthenticated products.
Most spyware programs come with the freebies. For example, you may be downloading a song, but you never know that along with the song file, you are also inviting an irritating and frustrating spyware. Thus, prevention is the key when it comes to protecting your computer from such threats.
How To Kill Spyware Programs
Invention is the baby of necessity. If there is a problem, there must be a solution. And, spyware programs are not an exception.Google, Microsoft, McAfee and various other established and reputed companies offer spyware protection software that have the capability to erase spyware programs permanently from your computer.
However, spyware killer programs come into action after a spyware has already infected your computer. If you want to keep your computer always protected so that it could not get spyware programs in the first place, the best way is to keep your firewall setting activated.
What is more, you must also make sure that the Windows you are using is updated with all the latest features. Keep the option for automatic updates on. Microsoft keeps on updating the features for windows in order to enable them to fight with all kinds of spyware programs efficiently.
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You're sick. You've got a fever, the chills, and a headache so horrible that you can't think straight. No matter who claims to desperately need your help, you are not going to get out of bed. Your computer can suffer the very same thing--a virus. And, in the worst-case scenario, it might cause your computer to refuse to start up.
The term "virus" in the computer world comes from exactly where you might think--the term used for illnesses like the common cold. Like a biological virus, a computer virus spreads by making and sending copies of itself to other computers.
A computer virus causes a lot of trouble in a computer and the infection occurs without the consent of the user. The copies it makes of itself could be exactly like the original virus, or they might vary a bit. They typically spread over a network or via the Internet.
Many people lump all malicious programming under the label "virus." However, a virus is something completely different from a worm or a Trojan horse. Unlike a virus, a worm can't spread on its own; it requires some action from the user, such as opening or running an infected file. A Trojan horse is a file that tricks the user into running it by appearing to be harmless.
Viruses cause problems for computer users by harming programs, reformatting the hard disk, or deleting files. Although the vast majority of viruses are created for the purpose of doing harm, there are a few that are meant to be harmless pranks that merely display video, audio, or text messages. Regardless, these viruses still use up memory without permission.
The fist virus was dubbed "Elk Cloner" and it was made to run on the Apple DOS 3.3 operating system. It was created by a high school student named by Richard Skrenta in 1982. It was a joke virus that was transmitted using a floppy disk containing a game.
The disk could successfully open the game 49 times; on the 50th the virus was activated. It caused the screen to go blank and then display a poem reading: "It will get on all your disks. It will infiltrate your chips. Yes it's Cloner! It will stick to you like glue. It will modify RAM, too. Send in the Cloner!"
Brain was the first virus for the PC. It was designed in 1986 by brothers Basit and Amjad Farooq Alvi. Their purpose for creating the virus was to protect legitimate software they'd written from being copied illegally.
In the early days of viruses, the usual means of infection was through some form of media that could be moved from computer to computer, like a floppy disk. However, today, it's easier for viruses to be spread over the Internet or through computer networks, so most are designed to do just that.
Because of the popularity of the Windows platform, the majority of viruses are designed to exploit weaknesses in the Windows operating system. However, that's not to say that there are no viruses affecting other operating systems. The truth is, no matter what operating system you're running, unless you take steps to prevent virus infections, your computer is vulnerable.
There is an entire industry of virus protection software. The most common ways these anti-virus programs work are: 1) Detecting viruses using signature definitions, and 2) Detecting viruses using a heuristic algorithm that recognizes typical virus behaviors.
A program that uses signature definitions relies on the user to keep the list of definitions up to date using updates and patches put out by the maker of the software. These are usually available at no cost with purchase of the software or through a paid subscription to the software.
The algorithm method is able to find viruses for which no signature exists.
Other ways of protecting your computer against viruses include making backups of your data and operating system on media not stored on the computer's hard drive. This way, if your computer should be infected causing a loss of data or the inability to start up the computer, you can restore the computer.
If your computer becomes infected, it's unwise to continue using it until the virus has been removed by completely reinstalling the operating system. This is a time-consuming process and often results in lost data.
So, as with a virus in the human body, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." An anti-virus protection program is absolutely essential to the health of your computer.
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I a computer system is infected with spyware, it is very hard to detect the same, but with the wide availability of so many advanced spyware removal programs, it has become now much easier to protect your PC from the harmful and irradiating effect of spyware.
However, it is recommended not to go for the free spyware removal programs unless you are sure that the website offering the same is a legitimate and established one, such as Google, McAfee, Microsoft, etc.
Microsoft Spyware
Microsoft spyware removal software programs have been one of the best tools capable of keeping your PC protected from any such threat. The best thing with the spyware removal programs offered by Microsoft is that they keep their anti-spyware programs always up-to-date with the latest features.
In fact, Microsoft is aware of the fact that spyware makers are not sitting idle. They are coming up with new and maliciously innovative technologies in order to attack your computer with spyware even if your computer is protected with a spyware removal program.
That is the reason why Microsoft always keeps updating the features of their windows software programs. Therefore, if you are using windows on your computer system, make sure that you have kept the option for automatic updates on. The good news is that the Microsoft spyware removal programs are available for free.
Google offers another genuine and highly effective free spyware removal program. The Google spyware removal programs are highly effective especially in blocking the pop-ups, which are the major source for spyware.
The spyware remover program offered by McAfee is also highly effective in protecting your computer from the irritating and frustrating spyware. However, McAfee does not offer these programs free.
You need to pay a certain amount in order to use their spyware removal programs. Their programs usually fall within the price range of $30 to $50. However, keeping in view the highest level of Internet security that they provide to your computer, it is not an expensive deal.
Last, but not the least, when it is about keeping your computer safe from spyware attack, the best way is not doing things that can open the gateway for the spyware to encroach the registry files of your computer. The best spyware removal programs are the ones that do not let the spyware enter your computer in the first place.
Spyware removal programs are the requirement of each computer that is used for surfing internet. These programs not only block spyware from entering into your computer but also increase the efficiency of your computer by removing the risky software programs and adware that slows down the system functions.
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Spyware and Adware are not not only an ever-increasing nuisance for computer users everywhere, but also a booming industry.
According to Webroot Software, Inc., the distribution of online advertisements through spyware and adware has become a whopping $2 billion industry.
The aggressive advertising and spying tactics demonstrated by some of these programs, require an equally aggressive response from a seasoned eradicator. Sunbelt Software is such a company.
A leader in Anti-Spyware, Anti-Spam, Network Security and System Management tools, they gave consistently remained on the cutting-edge of anti-spyware programming since 1994.
So you might be asking:
Why do I feel as if somebody watching me?
According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, spyware infects more than 90% of all PCs today. These unobtrusive, malicious programs are designed to silently bypass firewalls and anti-virus software without the users knowledge.
Once embedded in a computer, it can wreak havoc on the systems performance while gathering your personal information. Fortunately, unlike viruses and worms, spyware programs do not usually self-replicate.
Where Does It Come From?
Typically, spyware originates in three ways. The first and most common way is when the user installs it. In this scenario, spyware is embedded, attached, or bundled with a freeware or shareware program without the users knowledge. The user downloads the program to their computer.
Once downloaded, the spyware program goes to work collecting data for the spyware authors personal use or to sell to a third-party. Beware of many P2P file-sharing programs. They are notorious for downloads that posses spyware programs.
The user of a downloadable program should pay extra attention to the accompanying licensing agreement. Often the software publisher will warn the user that a spyware program will be installed along with the requested program.
Unfortunately, we do not always take the time to read the fine print.
Some agreements may provide special opt-out boxes that the user can click to stop the spyware from being included in the download. Be sure to review the document before signing off on the download.
Another way that spyware can access your computer is by tricking you into manipulating the security features designed to prevent any unwanted installations. The Internet Explorer Web browser was designed not to allow websites to start any unwanted downloads. That is why the user has to initiate a download by clicking on a link. These links can prove deceptive.
For example: a pop-up modeled after a standard Windows dialog box, may appear on your screen. The message may ask you if you would like to optimize your Internet access. It provides yes or no answer buttons, but, no matter which button you push, a download containing the spyware program will commence. Newer versions of Internet Explorer are now making this spyware pathway a little more difficult.
Finally, some spyware applications infect a system by attacking security holes in the Web browser or other software. When the user navigates a webpage controlled by a spyware author, the page contains code designed to attack the browser, and force the installation of the spyware program.
What Can Spyware Programs Do?
Spyware programs can accomplish a multitude of malicious tasks. Some of their deeds are simply annoying for the user; others can become downright aggressive in nature.
Spyware can:
- Monitor your keystrokes for reporting purposes.
- Scan files located on your hard drive.
- Snoop through applications on our desktop.
- Install other spyware programs into your computer.
- Read your cookies.
- Steal credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal information.
- Change the default settings on your home page web browser.
- Mutate into a second generation of spyware thus making it more difficult to eradicate.
- Cause your computer to run slower.
- Deliver annoying pop up advertisements.
- Add advertising links to web pages for which the author does not get paid. Instead, payment is directed to the spyware programmer that changed the original affiliates settings.
- Provide the user with no uninstall option and places itself in unexpected or hidden places within your computer making it difficult to remove.
Examples of Spyware
Here are a few examples of commonly seen spyware programs:
(Please note that while researchers will often give names to spyware programs, they may not match the names the spyware-writers use.)
CoolWebSearch, a group of programs, that install through holes found in Internet Explorer. These programs direct traffic to advertisements on Web sites including coolwebsearch This spyware nuisance displays pop-up ads, rewrites search engine results, and alters the computer host file to direct the Domain Name System (DNS) to lookup preselected sites.
Internet Optimizer (a/k/a DyFuCa), likes to redirect Internet Explorer error pages to advertisements. When the user follows the broken link or enters an erroneous URL, a page of advertisements pop up.
180 Solutions reports extensive information to advertisers about the Web sites which you visit. It also alters HTTP requests for affiliate advertisements linked from a Web site. Therefore the 180 Solutions Company makes an unearned profit off of the click through advertisements theyve altered.
HuntBar (a/k/a WinTools) or Adware.Websearch, is distributed by Traffic Syndicate and is installed by ActiveX drive-by downloading at affiliate websites or by advertisements displayed by other spyware programs. Its a prime example of how spyware can install more spyware. These programs will add toolbars to Internet Explorer, track Web browsing behavior, and display advertisements.
How Can I Prevent or Combat Spyware?
There are a couple things you can do to prevent spyware from infecting your computer system. First, invest in a reliable commercial anti-spyware program. There are several currently on the market including stand alone software packages such as Lavasofts Ad-Aware or Windows Antispyware. Other options provide the anti-spyware software as part of an anti-virus package.
This type of option is offered by companies such as Sophos, Symantec, and McAfee. Anti-spyware programs can combat spyware by providing real-time protection, scanning, and removal of any found spyware software. As with most programs, update your anti virus software frequently.
As discussed, the Internet Explorer (IE) is often a contributor to the spyware problem because spyware programs like to attach themselves to its functionality.
Because of this, many users have switched to non-IE browsers. However, if you prefer to stick with Internet Explorer, be sure to update the security patches regularly, and only download programs from reputable sources. This will help reduce your chances of a spyware infiltration.
And, When All Else Fails?
Noticed I said when and not if? As spyware is growing in destruction and it covers easily more than 90% of the computers (thats you and me, 9 in 10!), the only solution you may have is backing up your data, and performing a complete reinstall of the operating system!
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Malware is the broad term that computer security experts use to describe any type of software created to cause specific damage to a computer system or circumvent the security of a computer system.
This includes the wide array of software types that we occasionally hear about in the press such as viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, etc. Because these programs can cause damage to your computer system, infect other computer systems and possibly leave your personal information at risk, it is important to know how to identify and get rid of potentially dangerous programs before they can cause too much damage.
There are three things most computer security experts would recommend you do in order to protect yourself from malware.
First, you should invest in a good firewall for your computer, especially if you use a broadband connection (cable modem, DSL, fiber optic or satellite connection) and have a computer that is always connected to the internet.
If you use Windows XP, you likely already have the Windows Firewall already built in. A good firewall will keep unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer from the outside and will keep programs on your system from communicating through to the outside without your permission.
Most anti-virus programs come as a suite of programs, including a firewall so you should check to see if you have one of those in lieu of the Windows firewall. Finally, you can download free firewall software such as ZoneAlarm or, if you have a broadband router, it probably has a firewall feature built into the hardware.
Second, you'll need to be sure you're running an anti-virus program and that it is kept up-to-date. Yes, this means you will probably have to pay for a new license each year in order to keep getting the updates, but this really comes out to be about a few cents a day.
In order to keep it updated, you should schedule automatic updates to occur at a set time or whenever the program detects new updates available. While it's important to keep your system up-to-date, it's better if it doesn't have to be one more thing on the to-do list. Automatic updates will take care of that so you can set it once and just move on.
Third, you should get a good spyware remover program. This might be a feature of your current anti-virus program but check that out and don't assume that's the case since many don't have this feature.
A dedicated spyware remover will either detect/remove potential spyware whenever you run it or will also add the feature of monitoring programs as they run to prevent future installations of spyware. This is called real-time protection and is the best option for most users, again focusing on a set-it-and-forget-it type of solution.
The spyware remover should also have the ability to auto-update, similar to what we recommended for anti-virus programs in the previous section.
With these three items, you should be well protected against malware of all sorts. The last piece is getting a better understanding of spyware, adware and other malware threats.
With a good understanding of the threats and by knowing good security practices and computing habits, you can likely avoid coming into contact with malware and rely on your software tools as a backup (hey, we all make mistakes, right?).
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As it is necessary to be able to remember passwords and PINs readily, we are tempted to use something that we are already very familiar with to make it easier.
We are also tempted to opt for universal passwords and PINs for everything because it is easier to remember just one set rather than several different sets. Unfortunately, it is dangerous to do this as a smart identity thief can break them with relative ease.
Basing a password on the real name or user name of a user should always be avoided. Also avoid basing passwords on information that can found with a bit of research on you, such as your spouses name, childrens names, type of car you own, a phone number or vehicle license tag, your address, a parents name, your date of birth, etc.
A common method used by identity thieves to break a password is the dictionary method of attack. This method uses a dictionary in any language to try large numbers of words to see if an actual word is in the password.
Reversed words, frequent misspellings and look-alike letter replacements are also checked. Breaking PINs is approached in much the same manner. The thief begins with easy to remember number combinations like sequential numbers, duplicated numbers or numbers that can be years or birth dates.
One solution that is popular is to use a sentence that is easy to recall and use the first letter of each word in the sentence for the password.
Using this method, Kennedy's -Ask not what your country can do for you- translates into the password -anwyccdfy-. To make it more complex, mix in some upper case letters and maybe -K- for Kennedy.
The year the speech was given can also be added to make the password -Anwyccdfy1961-. It looks complicated but it is easy to recall the year, the speaker and the quote.
Since a great many passwords are case sensitive, the use of upper case letters greatly increases the difficulty of breaking such a password. Symbols can be used with some systems, so using an easy to remember question mark and a dollar sign will make the password Anwy?ccdfy$1961 makes it an even better password.
A change like this adds length to the password, making it far more difficult for an identity thief to break. A password should be a minimum of eight characters but fourteen or more, like the example above, is best.
With a PIN, your options are typically more limited, usually to four numbers. It is best to select numbers at random and avoid repetition.
You can also use an obscure combination such as phone extension of an employer a few jobs ago, especially if the company no longer exists. Obvious combinations, such as part of your phone number, vehicle tag number, or your birth date, are where a thief is likely to begin testing, so these should be avoided.
To enhance the security of your passwords, you should: Use a separate password for each program or application, do not use a common password for all, Keep all passwords private, do not share them with anyone who does not really need to know. Every three or four months, change your passwords.
So do not use your passwords on shared computers such as in a public library or cyber cafe as there could be keystroke software installed. If someone says they are from your bank or some such place and asks for your password, do not give it. Banks and other similar places will never ask for your PIN or password.
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Name: Sudarwono