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Security Information |
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Is Spyware Watching You?
Imagine my surprise when I received a phone call from afriend who told me he'd been the victim of a "spyware"attack that left him shaking at his loss of privacy. I listened to his horror story with a sympathetic ear, butI felt secure since I carry anti-virus software and afirewall (both by Norton). At his suggestion - and to my surprise - I ran a programcalled "Spy Sweeper" and found a veritable minefield ofdangerous and harmful programs lurking on my computer. "Spyware" is software that gets onto your computer andliterally "spies" on your activities. The spying can range from relatively harmless use ofcookies tracking you across multiple websites... toextremely dangerous "keystroke loggers" which recordpasswords, credit cards, and other personal data. That datathen gets relayed to the person who put the software onyour computer. Three primary types of spyware exist to complicate youronline life, including: 1. "cookies" Cookies represent mostly a danger of lost privacy. In theory, someone could use a "cookie" to track you acrossmultiple sites, combine that data with several databases,and figure out a lot more information about you than wouldmake you comfortable. "Adware" tracks more than just your movement across sites,it spies on your installed software and computer habits tothen serve up advertising, modify websites before you seethem, and generally do things without your knowledge withthe intention of trying to get you to buy things. "Keystroke loggers" and other malicious programs exist forone purpose: to cause personal mayhem and financial damage. Spyware gets on your computer in one of several differentways. First, it rides along with software you download from the'Net and install on your system. Second, they come as email attachments (much like viruses)and automatically install themselves on your computer whenyou open the email message. Third, hackers find an open port on your computer and usethe "back door" to install basically anything they want. And fourth, the more malicious types, like keystrokeloggers, can even get installed by someone with directphysical access to your computer such as an employer,suspicious spouse, business competitor, or someone whowants to know exactly what you're doing. Now, suppose you carry an up-to-date anti-virus program anda firewall - shouldn't that represent potent protection? In a word: NO! I can personally attest that even the most up-to-date anti-virus programs and firewalls will not (repeat, WILL NOT)catch all the spyware that can infest your computer. You need a program that specifically scans your system forthe tens-of-thousands of existing spyware programs alongwith the new ones appearing daily. Check out "Spy Sweeper" from webroot.com - this is theprogram I used to discover the spyware on my computer. One thing I noticed, however, is that this program is a memory hog, so once I scanned, I turned it off and thenuse it 2-3 times a week... not the best strategy, butI want to give you the "whole" picture. I also got the following recommendations from numeroussubscribers about 2 programs to specifically help identifyand remove spyware from your system (PC): 1. "Ad Aware" from lavasoft.de The overwhelmingly recommended firewall suggested by readerswas Zone Alarm Pro from Zone Labs=> http://www.ebookfire.com/zonealarm.html The bottom line seems pretty simple (but lengthy) if youwant to protect yourself against this growing threat. ~ Keep your anti-virus program current (c) Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved About the Author: Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist (http://www.TheNetReporter.com) and is the author ofseveral best-selling ebooks, information products andsoftware programs. Simple "Traffic Machine" brings Thousands of NEW visitors toyour website for weeks, even months... without spending adime on advertising! ==> Turn Words IntoTraffic
MORE RESOURCES: Darwin bottleshop alleged attacks: Security guard hit with bottle of rum after BWS worker death Daily Mail MITRE Rolls Out Supply Chain Security Prototype Dark Reading Report: Israel offered PA full security duties over city as pilot, Ramallah refused The Times of Israel Rising Rate of Drug Shortages Is Framed as a National Security Threat The New York Times Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas and German Minister of the ... Homeland Security Commerce Department Outlines Proposed National Security ... US Department of Commerce Vectra Match helps security teams accelerate threat hunting and ... Help Net Security Security at the core of Intel’s new vPro platform CSOonline.com Committee backs request for security barriers at public events Evanston RoundTable Godfrey, Staunton groups will share in $20M security grants Alton Telegraph Society Hill residents pool money to hire a private security guard for the summer The Philadelphia Inquirer Governor Dunleavy Announces Energy Security Task Force ... Alaska Governor Office San Jose libraries boost security - San José Spotlight San José Spotlight After Denver school shooting, an outcry erupts over security The Associated Press PHL Safe & Sound: Allied Universal Security Shift Supervisor Anna ... Philadelphia International Airport Sky Harbor’s north runway reopens after security incident on British Airways flight Arizona's Family Drag Queen Storytime in Louisville increases security after threats from White Lives Matter - WAVE 3 TSA highlights IND's gold-standard security model with two-week ... Transportation Security Administration TSA sees uptick in guns at BWI security checkpoint CBS Baltimore Pastor Wins Government-Surveillance Suit Against Homeland Security; Credits NBC 7 Investigates NBC San Diego Texas ranchers testify before House, Senate on border security Texas Farm Bureau TSA to host hiring event for Des Moines International Airport Transportation Security Administration Chicago Blackhawks won't wear Pride warmups because of security concerns, according to reports - CNN Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Political and ... United States Mission to the United Nations VIA Host Job Fair for Bus Operators, Mechanics, and Transit Security ... VIA Metropolitan Transit Explosion in school stairwell injures Fresno teacher. Trustees question security response Fresno Bee Chesapeake schools pilot new student IDs to increase school security 13newsnow.com WVEC The Energy Security Scenarios Shell Global Thomas Jefferson High School Shooting: Students return to class with extra security FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth Security camera catches contractor going through VB renter's belongings News 3 WTKR Norfolk Parents praise security at DPS schools, call for more resources after board decision - FOX 31 Denver The Case for a Security Guarantee for Ukraine Foreign Affairs Magazine Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Tackle National Security ... Senator Mark Warner FACT SHEET: President Biden’s Budget Strengthens Border ... The White House Fact Sheet: Biden Administration's National Security Memorandum ... Homeland Security TSA issues new cybersecurity requirements for airport and aircraft ... Transportation Security Administration FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Announces National ... The White House Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for ... Department of Defense Fells Point security guard shoots man, proposed bill could require all guards to be licensed CBS News Feds Charge NY Man as BreachForums Boss “Pompompurin ... Krebs on Security NYC Security Preps Underway for Possible Trump Indictment as Soon as Next Week: Sources NBC New York CISA Regions CISA Microsoft Patch Tuesday, March 2023 Edition – Krebs on Security Krebs on Security |
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