Spyware - 3rd Quarter 2005

I hope everybody enjoyed their summer. Clearbuilt has been busy developing a couple of large websites and performing major updates to a few other websites. It is typical for a site to need a complete redesign every couple of years. If you are wondering what can be done to improve your website, please give us a call.

These days we are thinking a lot about safety and security. This is not only due to the devastating natural disaster and exhausting war on terror, but also the more frequent identity theft occurrences and the more recent attacks emanating from the Internet via spam, viruses, spyware and more. With respect to the Internet, it leaves the novice and expert users alike asking if somebody is tracking and logging their every move.

Is my identity at risk? Are my private files really private? We will address one of the major culprits creating this feeling of insecurity - spyware. We will explain what it is, why it impacts you, and what to do about it.

Regards,
Neal

Spyware - You Can Not Afford To Be Ignorant

You are out shopping one day when somebody, unbeknownst to you, plants a tracking device on you. At first this bug harmlessly allows the owner to track what merchandise you are looking at and what purchases you make. The bug owner can then sell that highly sought after information to drooling merchants and marketing firms.

However, the money the bug owner makes off you won’t quite cover the gas bill for his new Hummer so he uses that bug to collect personal information from you. Each time you pay for an item by credit card, he collects the card number. If you use a debit card and enter your PIN#, he gets that too. If you use your key to open the door to your house he can either make a copy of the key or leave behind a device that will gain him entry later. Next thing you know, you no longer have an identity.

Let’s be honest though. If you are somewhat cautious and aware of what is going on around you, this scenario can be prevented. The exact same statement applies for surfing the web. The biggest difference is there are tools to help you prevent, detect, and remove those tracking devices called spyware.

Understand that this is not just about stealing your identity. If you have intellectual property on your computer, then spyware can make that vulnerable. For example, you may have an important business document or even proprietary source code to your flagship software product that could be stolen. In addition, it should be no surprise that spyware is not always the most carefully written and tested software. Spyware can often cause your computer to behave erratically, or slow it down, sometimes dramatically.

Defining spyware Spyware is the general term applied to any software that tracks and/or collects information about you without your knowledge. The actual definition of spyware is being discussed in earnest so that the anti-spyware vendors can more accurately identify spyware. Defining spyware will also allow the government to legislate it. On the other hand, some argue that defining spyware will make it easier for spyware makers to work around the anti-spyware software and even the laws.

How does spyware get on my computer?

Spyware can be installed on your computer while you are surfing the web, when you open an infected email, or when you install software. Lots of helpful-looking programs like screensavers, toolbars, or utilities are distributed by companies who simply want to install spyware on your computer. Spyware can also end up on your computer when somebody manually installs spying software on your machine while you step away. That means not all spyware installs can be prevented, that is why spyware detection software is also important.

The Anti-Spyware Coalition So important is the task of defining spyware that The Center for Democracy and Technology (www.cdt.org) has started the Anti-Spyware Coalition (www.antispywarecoalition.org) that is bringing some very powerful software companies together. They have already produced and collected public comments on a document that defines spyware, proposes a vendor dispute resolution process, and provides anti-spyware safety tips. A final version of the document is due out in the fall.

How do I get rid of spyware?

There are software packages that you can install that will search and remove anything identified as spyware and can assist in keeping spyware from being installed. Anti-spyware software often comes bundled with anti-virus, anti-spam, anti-adware, firewall, and other protection services. There are also reputable anti-spyware software programs that are available for no cost (freeware).

• Norton (Internet Security) $$
  www.symantec.com
• McAfee (Internet Security) $$
  www.mcafee.com
• Microsoft AntiSpyware (Beta) FREE
  www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
• Spybot Search & Destroy FREE
  www.tucows.com

If you are a user of freeware and shareware, then try searching on spyware at www.tucows.com. There are many good programs available. If you are more comfortable with paid-for commercial software, then a trip to your favorite brick & mortar software store or online store will produce a plethora of choices.

What does this mean for you?

This is not Darwinism where only the fittest will survive. Instead this is more like living among the wild animals. You just need to make sure you are faster than the slowest pack of animals to make sure you don’t get eaten. So in this case, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Start protecting yourself today.

I hit the Ctrl key, but I’m still not in control ! ! !

For further reading . . .

Information from Microsoft on how to protect your PC -
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/default.mspx

Article from InternetWeek with lots of spyware statistics -
in case you were thinking spyware doesn’t effect you
http://www.internetweek.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=169600338

Article from SpywareGuide about Identity Theft and Spyware -
http://www.spywareguide.com/articles/identity-theft-spyware-2.html

Article about Ask Jeeves being marked as spyware -
this is a great example of how spyware can get installed http://www.internetweek.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=170702579

Filed by nb on September 15th, 2005 under ClearPoint