OurTechTip - Spyware Cautions
by Robert Bolanos
With all the recent attention and focus on combating spy ware and trojans, the number of removal tools and programs to choose from can be overwhelming. Many websites now offer free scans of your system and many of us have seen those official looking popups appear on screen saying “Warning, your computer may be at risk” or “Spyware has been detected on your system, click here to remove”. While these may sound helpful and intuitive, the truth is if you click that link or use that free scan, you may be doing yourself more harm than good.
Many people online are ever mindful and fearful of spyware infection and readily accept these free offers to scan and clean up their computer, without considering the source of the offer. Some of the creators of spyware and trojans have very creatively used the heightened fear and paranoia of spyware as their new secret weapon to attack your system. Many of those free scans and tools simply display a list of phony infected files and folders, even if your computer is infection free. Often, these tools install a homepage hijacker and/or open a backdoor on your computer to install other programs. Again, as mentioned before, very few free things are ever truly fee on the internet. Don’t download software or use tools from an unknown source. Better to be diligent and overly cautious, and maybe even spend a few dollars for security, rather than assume you are getting something for nothing and saved a few bucks in the process.
For those considering spyware solutions, take a look at products like Spybot Search & Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/), Spy Sweeper (http://www.webroot.com/), Ad-Aware SE Plus (http://www.lavasoft.com/) or eTrust Pest Patrol 2005 (http://www.ca.com/). Microsoft has also introduced an anti-spyware product which is currently in testing. I recommend using at least two different spyware products for added security, as no one application is get its all. Use one of the free programs like Spybot or Ad-Aware and then use one of the commercial products such as eTrust Pest Patrol.
And as always, feel free to contact me with additional questions or future article recommendations.
I’ve been a proud member of the Creswell Business Community since 2000.
Robert Bolanos
All Things Computing
PO Box 916
Creswell, OR 97426
541.556.7564
www.atcsite.com
by Robert Bolanos
With all the recent attention and focus on combating spy ware and trojans, the number of removal tools and programs to choose from can be overwhelming. Many websites now offer free scans of your system and many of us have seen those official looking popups appear on screen saying “Warning, your computer may be at risk” or “Spyware has been detected on your system, click here to remove”. While these may sound helpful and intuitive, the truth is if you click that link or use that free scan, you may be doing yourself more harm than good.
Many people online are ever mindful and fearful of spyware infection and readily accept these free offers to scan and clean up their computer, without considering the source of the offer. Some of the creators of spyware and trojans have very creatively used the heightened fear and paranoia of spyware as their new secret weapon to attack your system. Many of those free scans and tools simply display a list of phony infected files and folders, even if your computer is infection free. Often, these tools install a homepage hijacker and/or open a backdoor on your computer to install other programs. Again, as mentioned before, very few free things are ever truly fee on the internet. Don’t download software or use tools from an unknown source. Better to be diligent and overly cautious, and maybe even spend a few dollars for security, rather than assume you are getting something for nothing and saved a few bucks in the process.
For those considering spyware solutions, take a look at products like Spybot Search & Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/), Spy Sweeper (http://www.webroot.com/), Ad-Aware SE Plus (http://www.lavasoft.com/) or eTrust Pest Patrol 2005 (http://www.ca.com/). Microsoft has also introduced an anti-spyware product which is currently in testing. I recommend using at least two different spyware products for added security, as no one application is get its all. Use one of the free programs like Spybot or Ad-Aware and then use one of the commercial products such as eTrust Pest Patrol.
And as always, feel free to contact me with additional questions or future article recommendations.
I’ve been a proud member of the Creswell Business Community since 2000.
Robert Bolanos
All Things Computing
PO Box 916
Creswell, OR 97426
541.556.7564
www.atcsite.com
