Tech Talk

Times have changed. Computer attacks were once the concern and interest of computer experts. Nowadays, everyone who touches the internet knows about viruses and worms and Trojan horses. Still for many companies, Internet Security is an at-risk area. All it takes is one unsuspecting click and your business computer can be taken over by the latest internet-based scourge: spyware.

Spyware, which can surreptitiously track Web-surfing information down to the keystrokes of your credit card, was found on 80% of the computers tested in a program by the National Cyber Security Alliance. Just as startling, 90% of the computer owners had no idea their machines were infected.

How does it happen? Easily and often, which is why Dell suspects that spyware affects about 90% of all computers today. And don't think you're safe just because you don't open anonymous email attachments. Today's sophisticated spyware can infect if users so much as innocently click on the Close link in a pop-up ad instead of clicking the "X" in the upper-right hand corner of the window or simply visit the wrong website.

In fact, the one place many seek info about spyware is likely contributing to their spyware problems. In a recent review by noted spyware expert, Eric L. Howes, the top paid advertising spots on Google were actually from companies that were in fact installing spyware on your system if you visited their sites. These companies advertised side-by-side reviews on spyware, top 10 listings, and free spyware removers all of which sound useful and impartial and all of which were in fact infecting visitors. So where can you get sound, unbiased information about spyware? Try visiting www.spywarewarrior.com for access to Eric L. Howes excellent spyware resources.

The real question, of course, is how to avoid and combat spyware. Avoiding it is tough. Earthlink, in a recent study, estimates that the average computer carries nearly 30 pieces of hidden spyware. Once infected, the way to resuscitate gummed-up and slowed-down computers is with proven anti-spyware programs. What should you look for and what companies should you look to? For a quick look at some of the top anti-spyware programs available, read the "Spyware Software Roundup" that follows.

Until someone develops the single killer anti-spyware app, our recommendation is to use a minimum of two different packages plus a pop-up blocker for the best chance at cleaning up problems and preventing re-infection. As you look at options, here are the required features of any good anti-spyware program:

1. Scans upon system start-up
2. Scans the system's memory, Windows registry, and all computer drives, as well as allows for custom and scheduled scans
3. Fully deletes detected spyware files
4. Removes spyware programs on reboot that could not be eliminated during the scan and delete process
5. Provides a scan report
6. Offers quarantine and recovery functions to undo removals
7. Immunizes Internet Explorer with ActiveX kill bits for known spyware and automatically updates the restricted sites list
8. Automatically checks for updates upon program start, as well as allows for scheduled and manual updates
9. Provides diagnostic tools for examining your computer system, including BHOs (Browser Helper Objects), installed ActiveX controls, entries in the Windows HOSTS file, modules in the Winsock LSP chain

For more information on spyware, attend our February 16th webseminar by clicking here.

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