PCs 'infested' with spy programs

[g-smooth2k]

Source: BBC News UK

The average computer is packed with hidden software that can secretly spy on online habits, a study has found.
The US net provider EarthLink said it uncovered an average of 28 spyware programs on each PC scanned during the first three months of the year.

Spyware is a broad term for programs that hide on a person's computer without their knowledge.

It has become so pervasive that lawmakers in the US are looking into ways to prevent or regulate it.

Hidden Away

The Spy Audit by EarthLink reflects the results of scans involving over one million computers between January and March.

"While most spyware is adware-related and relatively benign, it's disturbing that over 300,000 of the more serious system monitors and Trojans were uncovered"

Matt Cobb, EarthLink.

It uncovered more than 29.5 million examples of spyware. These are parasite programs sometimes come attached to software downloaded from the web.

The details are often included in the license agreement small print that most users click through without reading.

But sometimes they do not even need your permission to download, but just bury themselves on a hard drive as you browse the net.

With the exception of pop-up ads or a slower computer, people may not notice anything different when spyware programs are present, say experts.

Insidious software

EarthLink said the most common type of spyware it found was adware. These are programs that display ads on an infected computer and also send data about surfing habits.

But it also found examples of more insidious spyware.

"While most spyware is adware-related and relatively benign, it's disturbing that over 300,000 of the more serious system monitors and Trojans were uncovered," said Matt Cobb of EarthLink.

"This figure represents how real a threat identity theft or system corruption is for users."

System monitors can surreptitiously watch what you do, steal personal information and despatch it across the web, while Trojans can allow malicious hackers to get access to a computer and steal information.

"By tracking and publicising the growth of spyware, we can better educate consumers of its risks and encourage them to take steps to protect themselves and their families while online," said Christine Stevenson of Webroot, which conducted the scans.

People concerned about what might be lurking on their machine can download software such as the popular SpyBot to disinfect their computer.

[muffenme]

:fire

Yes, I have Spybot search & Destroy and Ad-Aware and still disable Javascript, Java, and plugin and this keep my computer as clear from these bug. I don't download so call freeware when they should be call adware or adware base software. I try to keep these programs up-to-date and run them from time to time, at lease 1 a week.

Some people don't understand that adware and spyware are just as bad as some worms are, they see a program and they download and install it on their computer without thinking what could these program have in them. When they think their computer runs slow then they take it in to get clean it up because a lot of people don't know how to clean the system right.

:hole

[fireforce555]

Originally Posted by muffenme

:fire

Yes, I have Spybot search & Destroy and Ad-Aware and still disable Javascript, Java, and plugin and this keep my computer as clear from these bug. I don't download so call freeware when they should be call adware or adware base software. I try to keep these programs up-to-date and run them from time to time, at lease 1 a week.

Some people don't understand that adware and spyware are just as bad as some worms are, they see a program and they download and install it on their computer without thinking what could these program have in them. When they think their computer runs slow then they take it in to get clean it up because a lot of people don't know how to clean the system right.

:hole

See theres the issue. Many people feel its not worth going through the trouble of removing them if they arent producing any OBVIOUS problem. They dont get what kinda security and privacy issues there are. Not to mention many of these programs are downloaders in that they can invite their little friends in and what might not be a problem with 1 program could mushroom when it installs 4 others and those 4 install 4 others. This just happened a couple weeks ago to my aunt. After a total of like 8 hours on the phone I had to go over to get the crapware uninstalled. I switched them over to Mozilla and they havent been reinfected yet. And they were getting reinfected like ever 2 days so it was obviously an IE browser issue.

Most it seems look at viruses and spyware the same, ignore it until it smacks you in the face. I have heard people tell me their virus scanners picked up 2 viruses and they didnt let the scanners remove them because they "didnt feel like doing it". These are the same that complain up a shitstorm that their computer is so damn slow and crashes alot.

[muffenme]

:fire

I know, I see too many computer with crapware on them and it seem I'm the only one where I live that thinks spyware/adware is the same as virus/worms. People install toolbars, games, etc because they think they are good but are useless or over time get dull. If they don't run into trouble, which I can't really see, they uninstall the old game without removing the spyware then install more software with more spyware.

People who create spyware/adware today are catching on and no allowing you to uninstall their software and all you can do it to run spybot S&D and Ad-Aware and remove these software. To be on the safe side, beginner to the registry shouldn't try this as this might cause more problem then it solve, run regedit.exe and do a search for the spyware/adware name and remove from the RUN places these enteries if they are there. The two places to check are HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Run & HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run for unwanted enteries because here where most of the run option happen at startup. They can happen also in the system.ini at the shell= and win.ini at the run= also and on the Start\Programs\Startup. These are the only areas, but there could be more that I'm not sure about, I know about where software can be run when windows starts.

:hole

[fireforce555]

I am convinced that the spyware writers of today were the virus writers of 1-4 years ago(and maybe still are). I just dont get the idea these shitbags must have in their head. They figure they will make a good profit off of a company that does NOTHING but annoy the hell out of people. They argue its not the same though, lets run down the list...


Installs without asking.........Both
Never tells you all it does.....Both
Makes unauthorized changes.....Both
Slows computer down.........Both
Causes security issues........Both
Hard to remove.................Both
Hides themselves(most times)......Both

How can they still argue this? I dont understand why they dont get sued or arrested like some virus writers do. They always hide behind the "it was all in the EULA". I am soooo waiting for a virus to use that and then have the fbi stand their helpless saying "well you agreed to it...".

I so hate these guys. I am a programmer to and I couldnt see writing a program to harm someones machine or force itself upon the user.

[muffenme]

:fire

You got that right fireforce, I program a little and I try to make code that help not hurt the computer. I write code that doesn't use the restistry, if a value need to be writing for next time I just create a small binary or ascii file to hold this data with an ini ending.

:hole

[fireforce555]

I do the same with my programs. Very little if any registry work, either I use a text file or I mostly use an access database to hold program settings and info. I always check to make sure my program wont cause harm. I do this out of respect for the user, thats what many developers DONT have anymore. Their way of thinking now it seems is "bend over and take it you monkey". I have been screwed over by plenty of poorly written programs and I dont want mine to do that to someone else LOL

[muffenme]

:fire

You got that right.

:hole