Am I Being Watched?

Do you feel like someone is watching you?

It might be true!

You could have Spy-Ware on your computer and, indeed, someone COULD BE watching your every internet move!

Spyware is one of the fastest-growing, most constant internet threats of today. According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, spyware infects more than 90% of all PCs today. These unobtrusive, malicious programs are designed to engage with your computer, silently bypassing your firewalls and your anti-virus software without the user being aware of their presence.

Once embedded into a user's computer system, a spyware program can cause havoc to the sytem's performance while, at the same time, it gathers your personal information as well as details about your surfing habits.

Fortunately, spyware programs do not usually self-replicate - like viruses and worms do.

Where does spyware come from?

Typically, from three main sources or in three basic ways:

First and most common:

The user installs it unknowingly themselves! Spyware is embedded, attached, or bundled with a freeware or shareware program without the user’s knowledge. The user downloads the program to their computer, then installs what they think is just the program they downloaded. The spyware installs, as well, during the other program installation.

Once installed, the spyware program goes to work collecting data for the spyware author’s personal use or to sell to a third-party.

Beware of many P2P file-sharing programs!!

They are notorious for spreading 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 to be 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 into our computers a more difficult task.

Finally, some spyware applications infect a system by attacking security holes in the user's Web browser or other common 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?

They can accomplish a great number of malicious tasks. Some of their deeds are simply annoying for the user - but other functions can be 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 affiliate’s settings).
* Provide the user with no uninstall option and places itself in unexpected or hidden places within your computer making it difficult to remove.

Here are some 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.com. 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 they’ve 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. It’s a prime example of how spyware can install more spyware.

These programs will add toolbars to Internet Explorer, track a user's browsing behaviors, and display advertisements.

How to prevent 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 Lavasoft’s 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.

Also:
* you should update your anti virus software frequently. As already mentioned, the Internet Explorer (IE) is often a contributor to the spyware problem because spyware programs like to attach themselves to its functionality. Spyware enjoys penetrating the IE’s weaknesses. 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?

Finally, if your computer has been infected with a large number of spyware programs, the only solution you may have is backing up your data, and performing a complete re-install of the operating system.

Not something one wants to think about, for sure, but sometimes it is the only way to get rid of malicious programs.