I consider myself fairly computer literate, and I understand the basic premise of spyware and what it does. Because my parents are less than computer savvy, I find myself running maintenance on their computers and generally fixing bugs that come up.
I’ve advised my mom on what spyware is and installed AdAware on their computer. I’ve been running it at least once a week and each time there are at least 20-30 new objects found. It’s my understanding that spyware is bundled with freeware applications and the like, and can also be installed if prompted to download software when a pop-up appears (Such as those pesky Gator Corp. pop-ups that are everywhere). I’ve warned my mom against downloading anything without checking with me first, and have cautioned her against opening e-mail from untrusted sources and do regular virus scans as well.
My question is though, aside from bundled application downloads and pop-up prompts for downloads, how else does spyware install itself on the computer? I’m almost 100% positive that she never knowingly downloads anything that has spyware on it, as she rarely if ever downloads anything to begin with. She only uses the computer to get online and send e-mail. How else are these spyware programs installing them? The ones that keep showing up are from Gator Corp, WhenUSave and SaveNow. It’s really been slowing down her computer, and I’d like to know what other steps I should be taking to protect her computer.
Some spyware is less scruplous than others in terms of what box it * seems* to indicate is the correct 'no thanks" choice. Xupiter is the most notorious one for this and you start the install process when you think you are passing it by and it’s very difficult to get rid of manually as it leaves lot sof hooks in the system. Most of the Gator and Bonzi Buddy prompts try to make themselves look like a Windows OS driver install and this may confuse some people. Also I suspect some spyware auto-bootstraps other spy software without user input.
The worst trend I’ve seen recently is some websites are taking other peoples freeware programs and repackaging them with installers that also install spyware.
I’ve had the same trouble with my parent’s computer - they really only use it for e-mail now that lil’bro doesn’t live at home anymore. Mom will occasionally play a game at msn games, but those are really the only things.
I’ll check out Spybot for their computer next time I’m at their house.
The one thing I’ve never seen on their computer is any sort of virus protection. I keep trying to tell them they need to get something, and mom will tell me that they don’t really need it because hotmail scans for viruses (and that’s the only e-mail program they use anymore since lil’bro appropriated the main e-mail account for himself). But my thought is that they could still have virus problems even with that, and I’m considering purchasing one for them and installing it. This is something they should have, correct? I don’t want to waste money purchasing one, but I don’t want their computer to be unprotected either.
I currently only have adAware 6.0 which I like but it does miss some stuff. I have just downloaded SpyBot after reading this thread, but you have got me weary of doubleclicking on the install .exe for it.
I’ve got Norton AntiVirus running on this machine, and even though I pull down the updates and do a full scan weekly, I run a McAfee free scan every so often, sort of like going to another doctor for a second opinion.
Aside from programs that install with user’s consent, there are another ways. One notable happens when you use Internet Explorer at normal security settings. IIRC it’s then possible for websites and advertisers to exploit IE’s ActiveX features and install their programs on hard disk without asking anything. Zonealarm stops this (so does Tiny and Sygate et al), but Explorer users should also adjust their security settings higher, and probably consider switching to some other browser, like many have done.
This site seems to have some reliable and up-to-date info on parasite programs.
It won’t hurt your system during the install, you just want to pay close attention to what it is finding and marking for deletion on your system after it is running. There are fairly good instructions to follow so you don’t delete something you need.
Remember this about AdAware, though: It also warns you about tracking cookies. These do keep track of your browsing habits and are best removed, but they aren’t the same threat as spyware programs.
It’s essential to have AdAware remove any running programs, folders, or registry keys it finds. Those indicate spyware running on your computer. However, when it finds files without discovering the first thing, these are tracking cookies. They are better off removed, but they are not as much as a concern as an actual running program. You don’t even need AdAware to remove them (just clear your cache).
You will get a number of these cookies every time you surf. That may be what your mother keeps getting.
If she ever checked the “Always trust content from Gator Corp…” box I think it would from there on install without a prompt. I think the solution would be to reset the IE security settings and delete all offline content.
What O/S is your Mom running? Have you opened a web page…gone up to tools…then internet options…and under the advanced tab, taken the check marks out of “enable install on demand”? (If there are two entries, take the check mark out of both.
Do take a quick look through add/remove, to ensure that none of these spyware programs are installed. (Such as Savenow) If they are, by all means uninstall from there.
You might want to go through msconfig’s startup tab and uncheck any spyware entries in there as well. (Start…run…type in: msconfig Click ok…go to the start up tab.) If you’re unsure of which entries to uncheck, compare them against this list.
Lastly, using AVG for her anti-virus may be a choice? It’s free, and I’ve been using it for quite some time with great success.