Cloudeight Internet Security Tips: Protect your computer from spyware, virus, worms, Trojans, keyloggers, phishing and more.

This page was updated on Thursday April 14, 2005

Say No To Spyware! The number one threat on the Internet today does not come from viruses, worms, or Trojan Horses; it comes from installing spyware on your computer. Spyware tricks you into installing it onto your computer willingly or come bundled as an "extra value" add-on to many programs such as file sharing applications, "free" smiley programs, weather applications, etc. More than dangerous to your PC, spyware is dangerous to your privacy as well.

Let's try to define spyware. While not one single definition fits perfectly, spyware generally has the following characteristics:

Spyware as defined by Dell Computer Corporation

"...The term spyware refers to software that gathers personal information from your computer, sometimes without your knowledge. The information is often used for advertising purposes. Spyware may cause your computer to slow down or encounter errors. Spyware has also been known to cause unwanted pop-up advertisements, an inability to connect to the Internet, and problems printing.

Spyware applications can be bundled as a hidden component of freeware or shareware programs that can be downloaded from the Internet. Once installed, spyware can monitor your activity on the Internet and transmit that information to a third party. Some forms of spyware can gather information about e-mail addresses, passwords, and even credit card numbers..."

Spyware as defined by Microsoft

"Spyware is software that collects personal information from you without first letting you know what it's doing and without letting you decide whether this is OK or not. The information spyware collects can range from all the Web sites you visit to more sensitive information like usernames and passwords. You might be the target of spyware if you download music from file-sharing programs, free games from sites you don't trust, or other software programs from an unknown source.

Spyware is often associated with software that displays advertisements, called adware. Some advertisers may covertly install adware on your system and generate a stream of unsolicited advertisements that can clutter your desktop and affect your productivity. The advertisements may also contain pornographic or other material that you might find inappropriate. The extra processing required to track you or to display advertisements can tax your computer and hurt your system performance."

We can add this: We have personally been involved with repairing the computers' of friends which have be devastated by spyware; devastated to the point where the computer was virtually useless or so full of popups and garbage that the computer was very difficult to use.

What makes spyware so serious and such a problem, is the lies and deceit which spyware companies use to persuade you to install the spyware in the first place. Many well-known spyware companies blatantly state they contain no spyware when, in fact, their privacy policies give them the right to steal whatever personal information about you they want, and to install whatever software on your computer they desire, all without your knowledge or permission. It's a pity and it's a shame that these companies choose to take advantage of people in this manner.

To add insult to injury, many companies produce spyware removal software which is spyware itself! So, how do you know if you have spyware on your computer? How do you know if the spyware removal program you've recently installed is itself another spyware program? Learn to know who you can trust. Do research and always read a program's EULA (End User License Agreement) before you install anything.

Additional spyware information from Webroot (makers of SpySweeper)

Industry experts continue to warn Internet users about viruses and trojans distributed by simply viewing a webpage. New variations are regularly released, and several of them are keystroke loggers capable of stealing user names, passwords, and anything else entered into the computer such as credit card numbers and other private information when purchasing items. Currently, there is little the anti-virus offerings can do to prevent them. The keystroke loggers record each keystroke made before the website can encrypt them. Pop-up advertisements are the primary culprits for distribution. And unfortunately, dozens of reputable financial web sites have been targeted in this attack. No longer does spyware lurk only in the darker underbelly of the Internet.

What can you do to keep your computer free of spyware?

Before you before you buy any anti-spyware software program, check here to make sure it's not spyware! This Web site lists rogue anti-spyware tools that may be spyware themselves.
Beware of Pop-up advertisements telling you that "spyware has been detected on your computer". These kinds of advertisements are almost always scams to get you to download a "free" spyware "detection" program. Of course, they'll find hundreds of "spyware" pieces on your computer, very few legitimate. They use this scheme to sell you their program to remove the spyware that the free scan found. Don't fall for it.
The "Our Products Are Not Spyware" game. You've seen them. Sites that proclaim their software contains no spyware. The only way you can tell is by reading the entire EULA (End User License Agreement) of the product you are interested in downloading. This, regrettably, can be a daunting task. Some EULAs can be over 20 pages long with all the incriminating things buried at or near the end. You will notice they are written in intentionally convoluted legal language. READ THE PRODUCT'S EULA. If it seems unreasonably long or intentionally difficult to understand be wary of the product. Do a Google search (see the top of this page) for the program name plus the word spyware, like this: "theprogramname+spyware" (without the quotes). Since spyware has so many definitions and world governments have yet to create a universal definition of "spyware", spyware companies can legally claim their products contain no "spyware" . And many well-known spyware companies use this ploy to its fullest extent. Remember, when you install a program you are entering into a legally binding agreement with the software developer and indicating merely by installing the product that you are agreeing to ALL the terms in the EULA. Some companies even include a clause in the EULA that allows them to change the license agreement at any time, without giving you notice, for any reason. Now, that's a scary thought, isn't it?
SpySweeper - Cloudeight's choice as the #1 anti-spyware solution. A professional-grade anti-spyware solution which now recognizes over 26,000 spyware/malware programs. SpySweeper is a Cloudeight tested and endorsed product.
Spybot Search and Destroy - Free A good and very highly rated anti-spyware program.
~~AdAware~~ -Free version available for home/personal use. Another good choice for a free personal anti-spyware application. NO LONGER RECOMMENDED - ADWARE HAS REMOVED SEVERAL CRITICAL SPYWARE / ADWARE DEFINITIONS DUE TO PRESSURE OR THREATS FROM SPYWARE/ADWARE DEVELOPERS.

SpywareBlaster -Free for personal and educational use. SpywareBlaster can help keep your system spyware-free and secure, without interfering with the "good side" of the web. Rather than remove what you already may have, it can help protect you from installing spyware in the first place.
Keep your Windows updated and install Windows XP Service Pack 2. We advise you to turn on Windows Automatic Updates and make sure you download ALL critical updates for your particular version of Windows.

NOTE: If you use Firefox instead of Internet Explorer, that's fine. But, if you use Firefox because you think it is more secure that is not fine. There have been more security issues found with Firefox from 10/2004 through 3/2005 than there were with Internet Explorer. No one program is going to keep you safe!

BE SAFE! Use G.O.C.S. To Keep You Safe!

When it all comes down to it, it's up to you how safe you are. Common sense, a little knowledge, being aware, and the right tools can keep your computer running better longer and make the Web the fun and interesting place it was meant to be.

Install and use a good anti-virus program and keep it updated! An anti-virus program which is not updated is as bad (or worse) than none at all.
Install a good software firewall and learn how to configure it. Most good software firewalls come with excellent documentation. Take a few minutes to read through it.
Install and use a good anti-spyware software application like SpySweeper, Spybot, or Adware, keep it updated and scan your computer at least once a week, preferably more often.
Keep your Windows operating system updated. Many of today's worms, viruses, and Trojans Horses could have been prevented if people would have only keep their Windows system updated. Learn how to configure your computer for automatic updates.
Never click an attachment that comes in an email. NO MATTER WHO YOU THINK IT'S FROM! Always save the attachment to a folder on your hard drive and scan it with a good anti-virus scanner. If you don't have any anti-virus program get one now. We gave you two FREE anti-virus programs you can download, install and use right now. You can find them on our Security home page.
Keep your computer free from junk files, temporary files, temporary internet files. Keep personal data secure and use a program to erase data which you have deleted. Deleted data can easily be recovered. Deleted does not mean the information is removed from your computer, only that the space once occupied by that data is now available for Windows to reuse. To be completely save use a program which erases the data you've deleted securely.
Read our G.O.C.S. Rant - And learn the best way to keep yourself safe on the Web.

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