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Windows Basics
 

 Spyware: How to protect your pc?
Last Update: March - 2005
 

Spyware The Growing Threat1

• 1403 new vulnerabilities discovered in Q304/Q105
   

  • 13% increase over previous 6 months
     

  • 97% rated as moderately or highly severe
     

  • 80% remotely exploitable
     

  • 70% “easy” to exploit
     

• 7630 new worms and viruses discovered in 2H04
   

  • 64% increase over previous 6 months
     

• 54% of malware created in 2H04 exposes confidential information
   

  • Up from 44% in the previous 6 months

1Symantec March 2005 Internet Security Threat Report
 

How It Gets Delivered

• By e-mail invitation or attractive attachment

• Fake Microsoft security bulletins

• See http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/authenticate_mail.mspx

• Piggy-backed on software installs

• Drive-by downloads
   

  • Users get tricked by misleading Active X certificates
     

  • IE in Windows XP SP2 has clearer notifications
     

• Popups and other tricks
   

  • Lots of third-party popup blockers
     

  • IE in Windows XP SP2 has a blocker
     

  • Banners and “pop-overs” can still trick users

 

Preventing Spyware, Adware and Trojans
 

• Always click close window button (‘X’) in popup window to close
   
• Only download from reputable sites that certify software as being virus free
   
• Use antispyware

Free tools can be used to combat spyware.

NOTE: None of the following tools are perfect. For some spyware infections, the only cure is either tedious manual removal or a clean installation of Windows.

• Spybot
   
  • Spybot Search and Destroy is perhaps the single best spyware removal tool currently available. It's a freeware application written and maintained by Patrick M. Kolla. Before scanning your PC with Spybot, update it via the built-in update feature. (Download).
     
• Ad-Aware
   
  • Ad-Aware is probably the second best spyware removal tool currently available. It is free for personal use. Before scanning your PC with Ad-Aware, update it via the built-in update feature. (Download)
     
• Bazooka
   
  • Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner is a spyware detection tool. This freeware application is lightning-fast! In seconds, it will tell you whether or not your PC is infected with spyware. It then provides you with detailed manual removal instructions. Before using Bazooka, update it via the built-in update feature. (Download)
     
• SpywareBlaster
   
  • SpywareBlaster is a spyware immunization tool. It prevents the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers and dialers. It can also block spyware/tracking cookies in Internet Explorer and Mozilla/Firefox. Additionally, it can restrict the actions of certain websites within Internet Explorer. It's free for personal and educational use. For maximum protection, update SpywareBlaster via the built-in update feature. (Download).