Egghead's Spyware removal thread

[egghead]

Now once we are relatively safe from Spyware we want to ensure and prevent them from finding a way back onto your computer.

7 - Stop using Internet Explorer to surf the net.

Read the news,
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=...le+Search&meta=
here,
http://news.google.ca/news?q=interne...r=&sa=N&tab=wn
and here,
http://groups.google.ca/groups?q=int...&ie=UTF-8&sa=N

These are just a few of the many headlines about Internet Explorer.

I recommend using an alternative internet browser such as firefox or Netscape Navigator.

Firefox:
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

Netscape Navigator:
http://channels.netscape.com/ns/browsers/download.jsp

Install your new bowser and surf the net as you normally do.

8 - If you must use Internet Explorer.

If you must use Internet Explorer then we recommend downloading a new tool to combat spy ads called IE-SPYAD. IE-SPYAD is a Windows Registry file (IE-ADS.REG) that adds a long list of sites and domains associated with known advertisers, marketers, and crapware pushers to the Restricted sites zone of Internet Explorer. Once this list of sites and domains is "merged" into your Registry, most marketers, advertisers, and crapware pushers on the Net will not be able to use cookies, ActiveX controls, Java applets, or scripting to compromise your privacy or your PC while you surf the Net. Nor will they be able to use your browser to push unwanted pop-ups, cookies, or auto-installing programs on you. Please note that IE-SPYAD is not an ad blocker. It will not block standard banner ads in Internet Explorer. What this restricted sites list of known advertisers and crapware pushers will do, however, is:

Stop unwanted software from being installed behind your back via "drive-by-downloads"

• Prevent the hijacking of your home page and other key Internet Explorer settings;
• Shut down ActiveX, Java, and scripting, all of which can be employed to push obnoxious advertising on you and compromise your privacy and security;
• Block cookies, which can be used to monitor and track your travels around the Internet;
• Combat obnoxious script-based popups that clutter your screen and force unwanted advertising on you.

You can check out the details here: https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm

Or go ahead and download here:
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/res/ie-spyad.exe

When prompted, choose to "Open" the file and extract it to your computer. (Make a note of the directory where you extracted it to) Navigate to this directory and locate the Install/Uninstall Utility (INSTALL.BAT). Simply click install and follow the instructions and that's it!

Whew!

The Glossary of Bad Things!

Adware: "Software that brings targeted ads to your computer, after you provide initial consent for this task. Some Adware may hijack the ads of other companies, replacing them with its own. Adware typically will track your browsing habits and report this info to a central ad server."

Browser Helper Object (BHO): "A component that Internet Explorer will load whenever it starts, shares IE's memory context, can perform any action on the available windows and modules. A BHO can detect events, create windows to display additional information on a viewed page, monitor messages and actions. Microsoft calls it "a spy we send to infiltrate the browser's land." There are many exploits of this technology which search all pages you view in IE and replace banner advertisements with other ads, monitor and report on your actions, change your home page, etc."

Hijacker: "A Trojan that may reset your browser's home page and/or search settings to point to other sites. Such sites are sometimes porn sites, often loaded with advertising. Homepage Hijackers may prevent you from changing your browser's homepage or from visiting a particular site."

Spyware: "Any product that employs a user's Internet connection in the background without their knowledge, and gathers/transmits info on the user or their behavior. Many spyware products will collect referrer info (information from your web browser which reveals what URL you linked from), your IP address (a number that is used by computers on the network to identify your computer), system information (such as time of visit, type of browser used, the operating system and platform, and CPU speed.) Spyware products sometimes wrap other commercial products, and are introduced to machines when those commercial products are installed."

Trojan: "Unwanted software which runs in a user's machine, as an agent of the attacker, without user awareness. Unlike viruses and worms, Trojans do not replicate (make copies of themselves.)"

Drive-by Download: "We think there should be no software in your machine that you did not choose to put there. But some products install themselves simply because you visited a web site. AdultLinks will not ask if you want to install it. Hotbar will install even if you indicate you do not want to install it, and some OnlineDialer installer pages open a JavaScript error and try again if you click 'No' to the install box, to try to force you to install the software. PerMedia was installed from e-mail; upon agreement to install, further invitations would be sent to all entries in a user's address book. StripPlayer and IEAccess can install automatically on versions of Internet Explorer older than IE6 Service Pack 1."

Glossary Source Pestpatrol.

Happy computing from Egghead and Techzonez!

Cheers