Seems I am not the only one that has been dealing with more PC’s inundated with Spyware and Adware. I explained in earlier articles that my kids computers are loaded with all the software to fight the intruders. Unfortunately I usually have to slick the drive every 90 days or so because they click on something that gets through the digital blockade I have erected. Thank God for Norton Ghost as it makes recovers real easy.
So what are you using to protect yourself. [New York Times]
i use a multi-prong attack against spyware:
First I use Spyware Guard and Spyware Blaster. both are available free: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/products.html
They act kind of like an Anti-Virus for spyware. I love the fact that Spyware Blaster works without having to run in resident memory (SG does tho). Both block spyware from ever being installed, most of the time without ever giving you a pop-up notice (which makes it very unobtrusive).
I then use Ad Aware, about once a month or so, to scan and remove any spyware that might of gotten through the first two barriers.
The fourth prong in my attack involves one of two things: I switched to Firefox (http://mozilla.org) as my primary browser (only using IE to test sites i develop and run windows/office update). If the user doesn’t want to switch, then I install: IE-SpyAd :
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm#IESPYAD
This handy .reg file adds a list of known spyware pushers into the restricted sites zone of IE. While a couple of sites go in there that I want back out (certain game code sites and other ‘darker’ corners of the web). But for the everyday user, it keeps ActiveX controls from being used on these sites, that have been identified as either providing spyware on it, or is a spyware manufacturer.
Using the above programs, in addition to a good pop-up blocker (such as the google toolbar on IE) – i have been able to go into some of the darkest corners of the web, and come out without an infection (or even an annoying click yes to install this activeX control window).
Of course the last thing is to educate the user, about what is spyware and how to avoid it in the first place. If a program they’re using runs adware (spyware’s, kind-of-benevolent cousin) – i usually recommend they pay for and upgrade to the ‘pro’ version to close the security/privacy hole that adware opens.
i use a multi-prong attack against spyware:
First I use Spyware Guard and Spyware Blaster. both are available free: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/products.html
They act kind of like an Anti-Virus for spyware. I love the fact that Spyware Blaster works without having to run in resident memory (SG does tho). Both block spyware from ever being installed, most of the time without ever giving you a pop-up notice (which makes it very unobtrusive).
I then use Ad Aware, about once a month or so, to scan and remove any spyware that might of gotten through the first two barriers.
The fourth prong in my attack involves one of two things: I switched to Firefox (http://mozilla.org) as my primary browser (only using IE to test sites i develop and run windows/office update). If the user doesn’t want to switch, then I install: IE-SpyAd :
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm#IESPYAD
This handy .reg file adds a list of known spyware pushers into the restricted sites zone of IE. While a couple of sites go in there that I want back out (certain game code sites and other ‘darker’ corners of the web). But for the everyday user, it keeps ActiveX controls from being used on these sites, that have been identified as either providing spyware on it, or is a spyware manufacturer.
Using the above programs, in addition to a good pop-up blocker (such as the google toolbar on IE) – i have been able to go into some of the darkest corners of the web, and come out without an infection (or even an annoying click yes to install this activeX control window).
Of course the last thing is to educate the user, about what is spyware and how to avoid it in the first place. If a program they’re using runs adware (spyware’s, kind-of-benevolent cousin) – i usually recommend they pay for and upgrade to the ‘pro’ version to close the security/privacy hole that adware opens.
First I want to share a Tech Support case I dealt with last week. I had to help some friends figure out why they couldn’t get to Comcast.net homepage to check email. Now my friend is computer literate, and I thought savvy, but I ended up installing Adware and removing 1100 plus critical apps, reg entries, and others. I was kindof amazed, but that might be the clueless side of me.
I personally use Firefox plus Adaware for my needs, plus not installing bundles, or if I must install them, I do as much as I can to remove the unwanted items.