Spyware: here are some tools to fight it

[RWhite]

Most of you are aware of what is commonly called Spyware. Spyware is, simply put, any software program that monitors activity on your computer and then sends that information to someone else. Usually Spyware is a component of other software that you download with the Spyware hidden inside. Recently KaZaa has come under fire for including Spyware within it’s code.

Below are a couple of links, courtesy of the Tourbus internet newsletter, that can help you to learn more about (and ultimately rid yourself of) Spyware.


Spychecker.com online database

This web site contains a growing database of information concerning programs that contain Spyware. If you have been wondering whether that great PD sound editor you downloaded has been spying on you, here is someplace to check.

http://www.spychecker.com/


Ad-Aware Spyware checker software

The first link leads to Download.com and Ad-aware, a utility that scans your system for Spyware. It has updates just like an anti-virus program, the second link leads to those updates. I have yet to try this program, but it has received some good press from several sources.

http://download.com.com/3000-2094-10045910.html
http://download.com.com/3000-2094-10109053.html

Have fun rooting out those spys... R.W.

 

[heinz]

Yep, good stuff. I've been using Pest Patrol which comes with Zone Alarm registered version. The pair does a pretty good job of blocking all the popup & other ads, as well as identifying and removing spyware.

It's amazing how much crap is installed in your computer just to feed marketing data to websites.

 

[alonso]

I´ll suerely have fun tracking and hunting down those bastard spies........

 

[sjoko2]

Cool tip RW!!