Report, edit, etc...Posted by Yoshi da Sniper on 2004-04-10 at 15:37:43
Yoshis tips and tricks for dealing with Spyware!
WTF IS IT
Spyware is programs that companies hide within their programs to have popup ads come, take over parts of your computer (ie, your homepage is always set to some ad site) or sends personal information back to them about your computer.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I GOT IT
If you are browsing only Staredit Network, any part of it, and you get a popup ad, you know you got spyware. This website does not contain any popups or ads whatsoever.
If your home page keeps being set to something else without your knowledge, you got it.
If you got the absolute minimum programs running on your computer (simply exit everything from your taskbar and what not), wait 5 minutes, and your computer seems to be STILL processing data (writing to the hard drive), you most likely have it.
Strange toolbars appearing on your browser or elsewhere.
Bookmarks in your browser or shortcuts on your desktop suddenly appearing.
Theres many other indicators, but these are the main ones.
HOW TO PREVENT IT
A big myth thats out there, is that if your computer has anti-virus software, your computer is protected. That is WRONG. Anti-virus software protects against viruses. Viruses are designed to damage your computer. Spyware is designed to advertise and what not. Not designed to damage your computer, but it is usually sloppily designed so it takes up most of your system resources.
Have a good firewall installed (I can't suggest one, my router automatically comes with one
)
Some methods of getting spyware are:
The best way to get rid of it is to download a program called AdAware. Its the best out there as long as you keep it up to date (theres a web update thing in there, use it!)
Spyware keeps coming back?
If you haven't even done anything with your computer after removal of spyware (with an updated version of ad aware), and all of a sudden, its all back. It may mean you have a trojan. Trojans are a type of virus, and may redownload the spyware without your knowledge.
The best way, is to simply do a scan of viruses of your system, THEN scan for spyware again.
Its back again! WTF?
This situation sometimes happens. Either your problem is so bad, it wont fix, or theres some virus or spyware that isn't being detected.
The best thing at this point, is to backup the least amount of data possible (eg, instead of backing up the whole Starcraft directory, JUST take the maps) and format your whole PC (get someone else to do it if you dont know how).
Can't format? You'll have to hope your PC is still working decently. You'll have to live with it
DA END
WTF IS IT
Spyware is programs that companies hide within their programs to have popup ads come, take over parts of your computer (ie, your homepage is always set to some ad site) or sends personal information back to them about your computer.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I GOT IT
If you are browsing only Staredit Network, any part of it, and you get a popup ad, you know you got spyware. This website does not contain any popups or ads whatsoever.
If your home page keeps being set to something else without your knowledge, you got it.
If you got the absolute minimum programs running on your computer (simply exit everything from your taskbar and what not), wait 5 minutes, and your computer seems to be STILL processing data (writing to the hard drive), you most likely have it.
Strange toolbars appearing on your browser or elsewhere.
Bookmarks in your browser or shortcuts on your desktop suddenly appearing.
Theres many other indicators, but these are the main ones.
HOW TO PREVENT IT
A big myth thats out there, is that if your computer has anti-virus software, your computer is protected. That is WRONG. Anti-virus software protects against viruses. Viruses are designed to damage your computer. Spyware is designed to advertise and what not. Not designed to damage your computer, but it is usually sloppily designed so it takes up most of your system resources.
Have a good firewall installed (I can't suggest one, my router automatically comes with one
)Some methods of getting spyware are:
- Pressing OK to security warnings on the internet
- Installing freeware or shareware on the internet (download.com is the best place to download anything, they require that companies submit any spyware they included, so you know before you download)
- Running Kazaa (it doesn't matter if you have Kazaa lite or something, Kazaa STILL opens up ports, and through this comes spyware that companies force your computer to download)
The best way to get rid of it is to download a program called AdAware. Its the best out there as long as you keep it up to date (theres a web update thing in there, use it!)
Spyware keeps coming back?
If you haven't even done anything with your computer after removal of spyware (with an updated version of ad aware), and all of a sudden, its all back. It may mean you have a trojan. Trojans are a type of virus, and may redownload the spyware without your knowledge.
The best way, is to simply do a scan of viruses of your system, THEN scan for spyware again.
Its back again! WTF?
This situation sometimes happens. Either your problem is so bad, it wont fix, or theres some virus or spyware that isn't being detected.
The best thing at this point, is to backup the least amount of data possible (eg, instead of backing up the whole Starcraft directory, JUST take the maps) and format your whole PC (get someone else to do it if you dont know how).
Can't format? You'll have to hope your PC is still working decently. You'll have to live with it
DA END
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Staredit.Net Essence on 2004-04-10 at 16:05:47
Just a little question; Isn't illegal for companies or DLs to instal small "programs" (spywares) on your computer without you knowing? Or it is just listed in the 38643864 page-long Terms of Agreements that people don't read?
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Yoshi da Sniper on 2004-04-10 at 16:13:35
Its listed in the Terms of Agreements. And you're right, nobody ever reads it. So its legal in what they are doing.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Revelade on 2004-04-10 at 16:16:26
Adaware is nice, though Spybot Search and Destroy is much faster... but that's me
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Yoshi da Sniper on 2004-04-10 at 16:56:30
Adaware has never failed me, and Spybot did 
Report, edit, etc...Posted by dashrike on 2004-04-10 at 17:03:30
Ah I hate Ad-Aware... It just refused to do anything on my comp except tell me the jpg's I'd made were corrupt, and then crash my comp...
Report, edit, etc...Posted by ent on 2004-04-11 at 06:59:31
Ad-Aware has always worked great for me, running it every week or so keeps my computer clean.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Staredit.Net Essence on 2004-04-11 at 10:07:37
I doupt it keeps my computer clean but I run it anyway
It's always finding the same things anyway :/
It's always finding the same things anyway :/
Report, edit, etc...Posted by ent on 2004-04-11 at 11:53:35
I tried that spybot and it searched fast, anyway I will search with adaware to see if spybot missed anything.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by dashrike on 2004-04-11 at 12:55:50
I don't use much of that, but I prob should...
*dl's adaware*
Edit: damn stoopid lack of admin rights...
*dl's adaware*
Edit: damn stoopid lack of admin rights...
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Mini Moose 2707 on 2004-04-11 at 13:02:57
I do an AdAware scan every week.... always 70 or so new objects. Stupid "Tracking Cookies" keep popping up. WTF are those?! :/
Report, edit, etc...Posted by SpaceBoy2000 on 2004-04-11 at 13:09:51
I think that both AdAware and Spybot does about the same thing. There are some situations where Spybot will fix spyware, but it'll still come up in AdAware, because Spybot replaces the file with a dummy version, and vice versa, but those are specific cases. They will both mess up your computer in some cases, I know Spybot and AdAware might sometimes target system files (XP mostly, never heard of anything else) and delete them, killing your OS. So actually read what you're deleting.
Actually, SpywareBlaster is quite nice, since it blocks (most) spyware from entering the system in the first place. That, coupled with AdAware/Spyware should handle most things.
Try both, and then decide which one is best for you. Personally, my experience is the opposite of Yoshi's, but hey, everybody's different.
Actually, SpywareBlaster is quite nice, since it blocks (most) spyware from entering the system in the first place. That, coupled with AdAware/Spyware should handle most things.
Try both, and then decide which one is best for you. Personally, my experience is the opposite of Yoshi's, but hey, everybody's different.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by ent on 2004-04-11 at 13:14:49
well the spybot saves backups of all files and it has some kind of "immunize" feature that prevents some spyware.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by SpaceBoy2000 on 2004-04-11 at 13:25:13
Pfft, scroll down on the immunize page and set it to block spyware in web pages. A lot more effective, though having SpyWare Blaster is another guarantee as well.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Staredit.Net Essence on 2004-04-11 at 21:13:48
ASHAMPOO. Just another suggestion, find it at download.com