Spyware isn’t a new problem but just because it’s been around a while doesn’t mean it’s going away. If you haven't yet had an encounter with spyware, well, you will. The demons of evil marketing are worse than viruses in many ways and can bring your computer crashing to a halt, use your internet connection to send spam, or invade your privacy and waste your time.
All of these annoying and possibly deadly results are good reasons to have good information on what spyware is and what you can do to protect your companies pc’s and network.
Spyware programs work underneath your browser, collecting and sending information about the websites you visit, delivering unwanted ad content, and making your computer run slower. They can add toolbars and utilities that you don't want and didn't install. They can run software and even alter your computer settings. Isn't thaspecial? Spyware is smart enough to hide on your hard drive if you try to remove it.
How Spyware Infects Your Machine
Spyware is often included with other software downloads so most people don't know they're getting these programs installed. Users unwittingly invite them onto their computers, believing they're getting something else. One of our clients said:
"Unlike a virus, with spyware you may not even know you've been hit. I only found out when my ISP shut down my email account. Their technicians told me spyware on my machine had been flooding their servers for several days, all happening in the background while my PC was busy working for me in the foreground."
Spyware is insidious - it can come looking like an official email message from Microsoft, only to install a new toolbar you didn't want and hundreds of new spyware files and web browser pop-ups. Left unchecked, spyware can do tremendous damage to your pc, even fatal damage, a fact many of our clients can attest to.
Fending off Spyware
The first step to ridding your pc of spyware is to purchase Anti-Software software. A program such as Webroot’s Spy Sweeper 4.0. will perform a comprehensive sweep of your pc and eliminate spyware in minutes. Quality anti-spyware software will also have some sort of smart shield, which conveniently blocks spyware before it installs on your pc. If you have already been infected, usually by installing anti-spyware software, you can repair your computer right away and get back to work.
Beware Fake Anti-Spyware
Ever get that pop up window warning you that spyware had been detected and you urgently need software to remove it? Click and you unleash a vicious program masquerading as anti-spyware but actually is a parasite program that will run constantly, locking up your entire system.
How To Beat Spyware:
1. Be cautious about a download of any kind. It's hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys. Many legitimate free programs include spyware in their downloads... it's how they pay their bills. Read the license agreement carefully before proceeding.
2. Get some good anti-spyware software as soon as possible. In addition to the software recommended above (Webroots Spy Sweeper 4.0) Interworks also recommends downloading one or two free anti-spyware programs, such as Ad-Aware or Spy-Bot Search and Destroy. Both of these are freeware but accept donations and have advanced versions for sale. Run one or both of these sweeps once a week to find those spy files that have slipped through the cracks and are lurking on your system ready to do damage. Together these programs should virtually eliminate spyware risk.
3. Only use anti-spyware that has been recommended by Interworks or another trusted technology source. There are many scammers out there doing a convincing job of representing themselves as legit. Google and the other search engines have no way of separating these fakes from the real thing, so don't rely on search engine results to guide you.
4. Don't be hoodwinked by brand name sleight-of-hand, eg: Ada-ware instead of the excellent anti-spyware product Ad-aware.
5. Use an internet browser other than Internet Explorer, such as the very reliable and more secure and stable FireFox browser available from www.mozilla.com. FireFox has almost all the functionality of Internet Explorer without much risk. Those bad guys in spyware land have not yet begun seriously targeting this IE Explorer alternative which makes it a good choice.
6. Educate your coworkers and employees on the dangers of spyware and what your company can do to prevent it. This might be as simple as making copies of this article and passing it around the office. The time spent in education and prevention now could save a lot of time and headaches in the future.
If spyware has been left unchecked on your pc for a long period of time it is possible that the damage to your system is either beyond repair or too costly, when compared to the cost of a new system. It is also possible that a computer repair professional (such as the pros at Interworks) could salvage your pc and have you back to work in a short period of time. Interworks offers a very affordable pc diagnostic service which will let you know what state your pc is in and what your options are in moving forward.
