Spyware

Spyware and adware belong to a group of malicious software called malware, which can be disruptive, invasive, and potentially damaging to your computer. Spyware and adware secretly monitor your online surfing and shopping habits or collect your personal and confidential information and report it back to the intruder, who stands to profit in some way from the data that's collected.

You can pick up these annoying and potentially threatening programs unknowingly when you download online music, install free software that has malware bundled with it, or accept a product's End User License Agreement without reading the fine print.

Signs Your Computer Is Infected

• Slow or sluggish performance when you open programs or save files
• Browser's homepage keeps changing or the browser takes you to sites different from what you typed into the address bar
• An increased number of popup windows
• New and unexpected icons on the system tray at the bottom of your computer screen
• Random error messages

Downloading Anti-Spyware

Beware of pop-up windows that say something like, “protect your computer, download me.” In almost all cases these are actually some form of spyware rather than anti-spyware. To make sure you are downloading authentic anti-spyware, check with reputable sites such as Spyware Guide.

Network specialists recommend installing at least two anti-spyware programs.

• Spybot Search & Destroy is a free spyware detection and removal tool. Spybot S&D frequently receives updates and protects against certain phishing related web attacks as well as common spyware.
• Lavasoft's free Ad-Aware Free Edition
• McAfee AntiSpyware Enterprise Module adds on to the VirusScan Enterprise 8.5i product. The module provides additional sets of anti-spyware access protection rules as well as the ability to examine cookies in the cookies folder, the registry, and files running in memory. Available to faculty, staff and students for main and regional campus use and home use through OSU Software Downloads.

Additional Anti-spyware Help and Information:

• Windows XP Security Guide from OIT's 8help knowledge base
• Spyware Guide - A web site that offers technical information on common spyware and adware variants.

Take the Spyware Quiz

Think you know how to lower your risk? Try OnGuard Online's Spyware Quiz.