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Like
it or not, if your PC is connected
to the Internet, it has some form
of Spyware on it. In the olden
days
(gosh, what was that... 2 years
ago?), “Internet
Cookies” were
the big concern among novice users.
As we came to learn, cookies do
not scan your hard drive for credit
card info, and are more annoying
to disable while browsing than
not.
Today, certain forms of Spyware have evolved into a malicious
beast. Now our concern is real, and we can no longer pawn it off
as just annoying. For example, there are forms of Spyware applications
called “key loggers” that can see your every keystroke
or “Trojan
horses” that actually take control of your
PC.
Not surprisingly, most Spyware applications are included with
most file-sharing services such as Kazza, Morpheus and LimeWire.
If you thought you were getting away with something by downloading
FREE stuff, you’re sorely mistaken. The price is your privacy.
 For the average user, not very easily. Actually, some forms of
Spyware cannot be uninstalled
without the help of a third-party
software application. SpyBot Search & Destroy by PepiMK Software
(SpyBot)
is an application that can help
you clean your system of Spyware.
The best thing about this software
is the price; it’s FREE.
Although it sounds simple enough: install the software and run
it… , it may be a bit tricky to setup and execute. You don’t
want to render your PC useless by removing stuff that you actually
want to keep, so use caution when setting up this software.
You can’t. Spyware should be given the same respect a virus
has. If you want to be a part of the Internet community, then you’ll
also have to put up with the thugs out there who take pleasure
in making your experience a bad one.
Having said this, there are a few things you can do to minimize
your vulnerability:
- Don't be so honest!
When installing
an operating system for the first time or if a new application
requires you register it, don’t enter your
real name, address, number,
etc. If you’ve purchased
the license, the software
company does not need to know
who you are for you to use their
software. If they need it for
warranty info, then wait until
you have a problem before you
register, and then do it over
the phone.
- Use hardware and software firewalls.
Combine a hardware firewall
with a software firewall
and monitor outgoing as well as incoming Internet traffic.
- Set your Internet browser security
to at least medium.
Anything
less than this will allow
Active X controls to be
installed without your approval. Active X is your best friend
and your worst enemy
in a Microsoft world.
- Be email aware.
Keep your email virus and Web bug free by using
antivirus software and by blocking
cookies from known advertising
sites.
- Get software help.
Use a Sypware removal program and scan your
system regularly.
- Avoid file-sharing programs. Programs
like Kazaa and Morpheus should
be avoided. There is a Spyware-free
version of Kazaa called Kazaa
Lite available---same great
taste, but much less filling!
- Use an alias email address.
If you get stuck and a particular
website insists you provide
them with your email address
before you can continue, then give out a valid email address,
but not
one you particularly care
about. There are gobs of
free email account services out there now.
- Use good common sense.
Don’t be tempted to click on things
that pop-up on your screen
and never provide an unknown
site with confidential information about yourself like your social
security
number. Handing out your
phone number is even too much. Try doing a Google search on your
phone
number; you might be surprised
at what you learn.
At CyborMedic, we have experienced certified technicians
ready and willing to help you rid
your system of Spyware and
stop allowing the Internet to spy
on you without your permission.
Give us a call or email. You ’ll
be safer for it.
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