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THE PLAGUE OF PARASITE SOFTWARE
Parasite software, a huge and rapidly growing problem, is software that
has been sneakily installed on your computer so that someone else can
profit at your expense. It's also called adware, spyware, scumware,
sneakware, malware, etc.
It is not the same thing as viruses, worms or
trojans. Most antivirus software does not control parasites.
Parasite software uses your computer's resources and can:
- harass you or others with popup advertisements
- report on your browsing activites to unknown persons
- install hidden diallers that will cause your computer to dial
very expensive numbers; you find out only when you get a shocking
telephone bill
- record keystrokes, such as passwords and credit card
numbers
- collect email addresses (including your own) from your
computer to report back to spammers
- cause your computer to send spam messages without you
knowing it
- change your Home Page settings
- compromise your system's security
- slow performance to a crawl
- cause system lockups
Parasite software is usually hidden and can be very difficult to
remove.
For more information, check doxdesk.com for specifics about
various parasite software products, and other links in the security-related
section of the Helpdesk page.
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?
Cleanup and preventive software:
Even if your computer shows no symptoms, it is important to run
antiparasite software to detect and remove parasites.
Two good products with free versions are Lavasoft's Ad-aware and Spybot Search and Destroy. Spybot
has an "immunize" feature to protect your computer against thousands of
known bad products.
Users of Windows XP should download a free copy of Microsoft's
Windows
Defender.
Remember to regularly update all antiparasite software!
An online scanner is available at Pestscan. However, even reputable
online scanners are more susceptible to error and more limited than
installed software.
Moreover, beware of fake online spyware
scanners!
Scammers are taking advantage of the public's increasing
awareness of parasites by offering free "scans" of your computer, some
of which actually install parasites while pretending to cure them.
Check Spywarewarrior
for a list of rogue and suspect anti-spyware products before allowing
a site to "scan" your computer.
If you have been a victim of a telephone scam where a dialler
was sneakily installed on your computer, check the RCMP's Phonebusters
site.
Prevention:
Practice safe computing!
- Run antiparasite software, and update it regularly
- Run antivirus software, and update it frequently
- Run Windows Update regularly to check for critical security
updates. If your computer doesn't do this automatically, click Start |
Windows Update, or in Internet Explorer click Tools | Windows Update.
NEVER click on any link in any email purporting to be an update from
Microsoft.
- Avoid known problem sites (e.g. porn, casino, hacker sites) or
sites that seem suspicious
- Beware free things, especially add-in software that claims to
simplify or enhance your online experience
- Read the fine print!! Many parasites are hidden in
"free" software, including some popular peer-to-peer filesharing
programs, such as those used to share music. If asked to accept a
license agreement, read it carefully. Remember that not all license
agreements necessarily divulge
everything.
Check here to see what
parasites accompany popular P2P software.
- Be very careful what you click if you get into problems on a
site. Do NOT click "OK" on popups. If you seem to be trapped on a bad
site, simply disconnect (right-click or double-click the little
icon beside your computer clock & click Disconnect).
- Internet Explorer has many known vulnerabilities that can
place you at risk even if you're careful. Use a different browser, such
as Firefox, Mozilla, etc.
- Browsers have a range of security settings that can be
adjusted. Be cautious about changing default settings if you don't
understand them.
- Avoid popups and popunders in the first place: get software
that kills them (e.g. from tucows); or use
a browser such as
Firefox that allows you to disable popups; or if you use the Google toolbar, disable popups; or
if you run Windows XP, make sure Service Pack 2 is installed
- If you suspect you have hidden diallers, never leave your
computer running, connected to your 'phone line, and unattended, until
you have checked the system with quality antiparasite software
Go to FAQs
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