On December 8, 2004 Webroot, an award winning anti-spyware solution provider, released a press release identifying the ten most significant emerging spyware and adware threats. Most of these you probably haven't heard of and a few may surprise you.
It is estimated that 9 out of 10 computers are infected with spyware, also known as, adware, scumware, malware and many others.
Here's the top 10.
? PurtyScan ? popup ads that trick users into installing by claiming to find and delete pornographic images.
? n-CASE - adware program that delivers targeted popup adds. This program is usually bundled with freeware.
? Gator - adware program that displays banner ads based on your Web surfing habits. This program is usually bundled with the Kazaa file-sharing program, as well as other free software programs.
? CoolWebSearch ? hijacks home page, Internet Explorer settings, and Web searches.
? Transponder - monitors sites visited and any data entered into online forms, and then delivers targeted ads.
? ISTbar/AUpdate ? spyware posing as a toolbar. Has been reported to display porn, pop-ups, and to hijack homepage and Internet searches.
? KeenValue ? an adware program that collects personal information and delivers advertisements.
? Internet Optimizer ? hijacks error pages and redirects them to its own site.
? Perfect Keylogger ? records all keystrokes (including personal information, passwords, etc), clicks and web sites visited.
? TIBS Dialer ? hijacks phone modem and redirects to pornography pay by the minute phone sites.
The following precautions are recommended in the fight against spyware: install Microsoft security patches, avoid downloading and using freeware; and disable ActiveX downloads in Internet Explorer. In addition, install at least one anti-spyware program, some experts actually recommend that you have two installed. For starters you can download one of the free spyware removal programs such as Spybot Search & Destroy or Ad-aware. There are also a few good anti-spyware programs on the market that proactively protect your computer (alert you before the spyware is installed). When purchasing an anti-spyware program you need to be sure it is from a reputable company as many of the anti-spyware programs available actually place spyware on your computer. They do this by offering a free scan, which places the spyware on your computer as it is scanning. Then they entice you to purchase the product to remove the spyware.
In conclusion, if you take a few precautions and install anti-spyware software on your system you should be well protected in the fight against spyware.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lisa Smith is the webmaster of 1stSpywareRemoval.com
offerin
g in depth information on spyware, anti-spyware reviews, news and free spyware scans.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This article may be reproduced as long as the above resource box is included in its entirety.
There is nothing more important that password security in world... Read More
For many, the daily walk to the mailbox evokes mixed... Read More
A new variation of the Nigerian Scam theme ... Read More
When you signed up for that ultra-fast DSL or Cable... Read More
There are folks out there who use their powers for... Read More
You'd better learn news from media, not from emails, security... Read More
Viruses, Bugs, Worms, Dataminers, Spybots, and Trojan horses. The Internet... Read More
First the basic definition of Spyware: It is a type... Read More
Never before with Instant Messaging (IM) has a more vital... Read More
You may not realize it, but as you are surfing... Read More
"You've just won a fabulous vacation or prize package! Now,... Read More
There you are busily typing away on your PC or... Read More
Adware. Spyware. Pesky pop up ads. Internet congestion. Computer malfunctions... Read More
Some months ago, before there was much publicity regarding phishing... Read More
Well, if that would have been said to me by... Read More
Recently I have received email from my bank/credit Card Company,... Read More
In recent days, I was one of the unfortunate persons... Read More
Working from home has its advantages, including no commute, a... Read More
What is a Firewall?The term "firewall" illustrates a system that... Read More
As the number of people using the Internet as an... Read More
Computer security for most can be described in 2 words,... Read More
Spyware symptoms happen when your computer gets bogged down with... Read More
We all get the odd virus now and then, but... Read More
It has been said that with the wealth of information,... Read More
This is the second in a series of articles highlighting... Read More
Have you ever got an email asking you to confirm... Read More
WHAT IS HACKING?Hacking, sometimes known as "computer crime" has only... Read More
To blog or not to blog? Well, why not? Lots... Read More
Phishing is the act of some individual sending an email... Read More
A firewall is a system or gateway that prevents unauthorized... Read More
The top five online scams on the Internet hit nearly... Read More
Today's Internet or World Wide Web is being over regulated.But,... Read More
Credit card fraud is a growing problem for online businesses... Read More
With the advent of the World Wide Web, a whole... Read More
Ok, you've got a computer, and you get online. You... Read More
So called phishers try to catch the information about the... Read More
It's a sad statistic, but hundreds of unsuspecting kids are... Read More
From the "Ask Booster" column in the June 17, 2005... Read More
Identity theft rates one of the fastest growing crimes in... Read More
The Internet offers a global marketplace for consumers and businesses.... Read More
Today,on most internet user's computers, we have the ability to... Read More
Spyware symptoms happen when your computer gets bogged down with... Read More
You'd better learn news from media, not from emails, security... Read More
The Loss Prevention Manager should be receptive to the needs... Read More
According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) email scams also... Read More
"Phishing," the latest craze among online evil-doers, has nothing to... Read More
What is Phishing? In a typical Phishing attack, a criminal... Read More
If you constantly deal with bank or electronic accounts, it... Read More
So you want to know who your kids are chatting... Read More
Have you ever had to call Symantec or McAfee to... Read More
|