Andromeda IT - Specialists in home and small business computing
A program that gathers information about your computer and how you use it. This information is transmitted it to the program's designer without your knowledge. It is often used to tailor the pop-ups and adverts that you see. (This particular type of spyware is more correctly called adware).
Spyware is often bundled with shareware or freeware programs obtained via the Internet, and installed without your knowledge. (Sometimes the small-print of the end-user license agreement has a section that relates to privacy but often this is deliberately worded to be hard to understand.)
Some examples for software that contain spyware are:
File sharing: Grokster, Kazaa
Download managers: NetAnts, Gozilla, FlashGet (free version)
Software free of spyware (at time of writing):
File sharing: BitTorrent, Shareaza
Download managers: FreshDownload, Download Express
Spyware may also be installed by ActiveX controls and scripts that are run as you browse pages on the Internet.
In order to reduce your risk of getting infected we recommend:
Unlike viruses, spyware is not normally harmful to your computer, (other than using computer resources such as memory and CPU cycles, thereby slowing down your PC).
However, since it can be used to record keystrokes it can potentially be used to gather user names and passwords, account numbers etc.
Clearly, this type of information can potentially be used for illegal purposes, which is one good reason why you will want to remove it.
There are a number of free spyware removal tools on the market. Of the ones we have tried Spybot and Ad-Aware are the best. As both products are free you can run both. You can then decide for yourself which you prefer. However, note that as each product develops, they tend to play leapfrog in terms of which detects and removes more spyware.
Like most spyware removal tools, Spybot allows you to scan you PC manually for spyware and also there are regular database updates so the latest spyware can be detected and removed. It also allows you to immunise your PC against spyware and adware (i.e. to prevent certain types being installed).
But the best feature of Spybot is the TeaTimer, which monitors the Windows Registry. Malware (viruses, trojans, spyware etc.), normally modifies the registry in order to make sure it gets started whenever you boot your PC.
Whenever, the TeaTimer spots a program trying to make changes to the registry, it gives you the choice of allow or disallow. If you are intentionally installing a program, you allow it, otherwise you don't.
Unexpected registry changes are a sure sign that you have some malware on your PC, so stop whatever you are doing and run your anti-virus and spyware removal programs! (But don't forget to download the latest version of the anti-virus and spyware databases first.)
The Personal edition of Ad-Aware is another excellent, free tool for spyware removal. At the time of writing it detects more spyware and adware than Spybot. If you buy Ad-Aware Plus, then you also get an additional product Ad-Watch, which runs in the background and detects many types of malware as it is being installed. However, SpywareBlaster can be used to perform this function.
This application can help keep your system spyware-free and secure, without disabling scripting functions. SpywareBlaster detects spyware as it tries to install itself onto your PC. It has an advantage over other similar products in that it does not have to remain running in the background all the time. Its main features are:
This is another great freeware spyware prevention tool. Highly recommended.
