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  September 2002

Security Advisor - Past Articles
Spies like us
Hundreds of little brothers are watching you.

By Maggie Biggs

To give you an idea of just how serious the problem is, I ran a little test a few days ago. I surfed the Web as I usually would, except I used a Windows-based computer and the Internet Explorer browser (both of which I usually wouldn't use). After surfing off and on for one half a day, I downloaded the LavaSoft Ad-aware tool.


This antispyware/adware solution scans your memory, Windows registry, and hard drives for spyware/adware and removes it at your request. After scanning my test system, Ad-aware found eight pieces of spyware that had installed themselves during my short test surfing the Web. Of course, I removed the spyware promptly.


For Windows users, another way to detect spyware is the Zone Alarm personal firewall from Zone Labs. The widely used firewall has always been good at detecting inbound connections to your computer, but it also can tell you if applications or software components are trying to make an outbound Internet connection.


When an outbound connection is made, Zone Alarm can notify you. Look at the name of what is trying to make an outbound connection. If it is a program or component that seems unfamiliar, do not allow it to make the connection. Afterward, go find the program in Zone Alarm's programs list and note its location by examining the properties. Then, go to that location and remove the program or component.


With its most recent release, Zone Alarm also offers several other antispyware related tools. For example, it now lets you block pop-up ads while it also can stop spyware from ever getting to your hard drive.


Spyware doesn't just target Windows-based systems either--it is platform-agnostic. Therefore, if you've joined the growing number of individuals or businesses who have switched to other operating systems, such as Linux, Macintosh, FreeBSD, or other Unix variations, you should not consider your system safe from spyware and adware any more than a Windows user should.


On my Linux and Unix boxes, I use JunkBuster and find that it does a great job of blocking spyware and adware. Using the tools supplied with the Netscape, Mozilla, and Opera browsers on these platforms also helps. However, those considering using JunkBuster had best consider themselves fairly technically savvy, because it does require some knowledge to configure.


If you've just made the switch to Linux and are gaining knowledge on the platform, a better anti-spyware choice might be Guidescope, which is an antispyware service that works with your browser. It is free for home users and costs $15 per year per person for business use.


Those using the Macintosh platform, as I do for some development work, will find ADGate up to the antispyware task. You can download it from Apple's Web site or from static Cling. There are not yet as many choices for antispyware for platforms, such as Macintosh and FreeBSD, but the number of tools is growing, so keep abreast of what is available no matter which platform you choose.


The worst thing you can do is to take no action at all. As advertisers and hackers expand their tactics to invade your privacy, you need to get smarter about how you protect yourself and your computer(s) while online. Unless, of course, you don't care who invades your computer to spy on you.


  
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