Spyware

Introduction

Ever feel like you are being watched? Like someone is spying on you? Well if you are using a computer and not taking precautions, this maybe true. In this current age of technology, there are programs that can attach itself to a computer without the user even knowing. These programs can then allow a third party in another place to break into your system and steal personal information.

What is it?

Spyware is software that monitors your actions while working on a computer system. While they are sometimes sinister, like a remote control program used by a hacker, companies have been known to use Spyware to gather data about customers. These programs, when installed on your computer, can change settings, display advertising, and/or track Internet behavior and report information back to a central database. Spyware often times installed unintentionally by users along with wanted software can be very hard to remove and is known as malware. ( http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&oi=defmore&q=define:Spyware )

Spyware software can be installed onto a system without the user even knowing it. This can be done if the user commonly downloads freeware or shareware form the Internet. Spyware is then used to track a users Internet habits like frequented sites and downloads. This information is then sent on to advertising companies to help with marketing decisions. (http://kb.iu.edu/data/anfs.html)

Some spyware programs can affect a computer in a negative way. This can include stealing confidential data like passwords, violating a user's privacy, and allowing unsolicited advertising on a computer. (http://www.melani.admin.ch/gefahren-schutz/schutz/00020/index.html) As spyware attaches to a system it will slow the computer down. This will often times cause the user to buy a new system believing the system is old not realizing it is just infested with spyware. Spyware can also disable anti virus protection and firewalls, making a computer more susceptible to Internet diseases. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware)

How do we get Spyware?

There are several ways that spyware can attach itself to a computer. Access to the Internet is required for spyware to be installed. When a person is logged onto the Internet, it is easy for a spyware program to work its way onto a system. One of the most common ways that a spyware will attack to a computer is if a user is downloading programs off the Internet.

The following is a list of commonly know programs to include spyware:

• Kazaa
• EDonkey2000 (the last version(s), however, do not include spyware anymore)
• Bearshare
• DivX (except for the paid version, and the 'standard' version without the encoder)
• WeatherBug
• Atomic clock sync
• Bonzi Buddy
• LimeWire (except for the non-windows versions, the paid versions, and the free versions after 3.9.3)
• Wildtangent
• AOL Instant Messenger
• Gator
• ErrorGuard
• FlashGet (free version)
• Download Accelerator Pro
• Grokster
• Dope Wars
• RadLight
• Cliprex DVD player
• Napster Light (when not entering credit card information)

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware)

Polices and Regulation Surrounding Spyware

Many people are beginning to see spyware as a major problem. There have been many news reports and newspaper articles that show the concern of the public. Many people want spyware to be stopped and they want the government to step in and help. This concern can been seen in the articles located in the links section under spyware.

The U.S. government does know that spyware is a serious issue with computer users. The government has started taking action to ban spyware. If a person or company is found to be using spyware, they could face negative consequences like heavy fines or jail time. The Federal Trade Commission has been creating laws to help stop spyware. They have also filed many lawsuits against companies that have been caught using spyware. Evidence of government actions against spyware can been seen in articles found on the Federal Trade Commission's website.

Protection from Spyware

Once spyware attaches itself to a computer it can be very difficult to remove. There are newly created programs that can be bought and installed on a system to remove spyware. There are programs such as Ad-Aware and Spybot – Search and Destroy that can help remove spyware. Microsoft was quick to fight the spyware programs by releasing downloads to customers that would help remove this intruder. Other companies have been a little slow to offer such security measures.

There are two types of spyware protection. One offers real time protection to block spyware from attaching to a system as the user is on the Internet. It is very similar to how an anti virus program works. The other type of protection is for scanning and removing spyware. This program inspects all programs of a computer and removes all those programs or files that my resemble spyware. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware)

Another way a user can protect a computer is to install a personal firewall. This allows a user to determine whether a connection to the Internet should be allowed. Also a user should use email and all Internet accesses with extreme caution. A user should be careful what is downloaded as well as what attachments he/she should open. A rule to follow would not to download any programs or open any attachments unless the user trusts the program or sender. ( http://www.melani.admin.ch/gefahren-schutz/schutz/00020/index.html)

Conclusion