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TECH TALK
By KCnet Tech - Roxanne Fryer
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This week's subject is Spyware
Spyware is computer software that collects
personal information about users without their informed consent. The term
Spyware, which was coined in 1995 but wasn't widely used for another five
years, is often used interchangeably with adware and malware (software
designed to infiltrate and damage a computer respectively).
Personal information is secretly recorded with
a variety of techniques, including logging keystrokes, recording Internet
web browsing history, and scanning documents on the computer's hard disk.
Purposes range from overtly criminal (theft of passwords and financial
details) to the merely annoying (recording Internet search history for
targeted advertising, while consuming computer resources). Spyware may
collect different types of information. Some variants attempt to track
the websites a user visits and then send this information to an advertising
agency. More malicious variants attempt to intercept passwords or credit
card numbers as a user enters them into a web form or other applications.
The spread of spyware has led to the development
of an entire anti-spyware industry. Its products remove or disable existing
spyware on the computers they are installed on and prevent its installation.
However, a number of companies have incorporated forms of spyware into
their products. These programs are not considered malware, but are still
spyware as they watch and observe for advertising purposes. It is debatable
whether such 'legitimate' uses of adware/spyware are malware since the
user often has no knowledge of these 'legitimate' programs being installed
on his/her computer and is generally unaware that these programs are infringing
on his/her privacy. In any case, these programs still use the resources
of the host computer without permission.
Here are some steps to help protect
your computer:
Step 1. Keep your firewall turned
on
A firewall is a software program or piece
of hardware that helps screen out hackers, viruses, and worms that try
to reach your computer over the Internet.
NOTE: A firewall is essential, but you also
need antivirus software and antispyware software.
If you use a computer at home, the most effective
and important first step you can take to help protect your computer is
to turn on a firewall.
If you have more than one computer connected
in the home, or if you have a small-office network, it is important to
protect every computer. You should have a hardware firewall (such as a
router) to protect your network, but you should also use a software firewall
on each computer to help prevent the spread of a virus in your network
if one of the computers becomes infected.
(If your computer is part of a business, school,
or other organizational network, you should follow the policy established
by the network administrator. In some cases, network administrators may
configure all computers on the network so that you cannot turn on the firewall
while your computer is connected to the network. In those cases, you should
ask your network administrator for guidance on whether you need a firewall
on your computer.)
Step 2. Keep your operating system
up-to-date
Operating system updates contain new software
that helps keep your computer current. High-priority updates are critical
to the security and reliability of your computer. They offer the latest
protection against malicious online activities.
All your programs need to be updated, including
Windows, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office, and others.
NOTE: Microsoft offers security updates on
the second Tuesday of the month.
It's important to install new security updates
as soon as they become available.
The easiest way to do this is to turn on Automatic
Updates and use the recommended setting, which downloads recommended updates
and installs them on a schedule you set.
You can also visit Microsoft Update to scan
your computer and see a list of updates, which you then decide whether
to download and install.
Step 3. Use updated antivirus
software
Antivirus software is a computer program that
detects, prevents, and takes action to disarm or remove malicious software
programs, such as viruses and worms. You can help protect your computer
against viruses by using antivirus software.
Computer viruses are software programs that
are deliberately designed to interfere with computer operation, record,
corrupt, or delete data, or spread themselves to other computers and throughout
the Internet.
To help prevent the most current viruses, you
must update your antivirus software regularly. You can set up most types
of antivirus software to update automatically.
Some common antivirus programs are: Norton
Antivirus, Mcafee, AVG Free
Step 4. Use updated antispyware
technology
Antispyware helps protect your computer against
pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other
unwanted software. To keep up with the latest forms of spyware, you must
keep your antispyware updated.
Software that displays pop-up advertising on
your computer, collects and relays your personal information, or changes
the configuration of your computer, without appropriately obtaining your
consent first, is called spyware.
Many kinds of unwanted software, including
spyware, are designed to be difficult to remove. If you try to uninstall
this software like any other program, you might find that the program reappears
as soon as you restart your computer.
Windows Defender is a free program designed
to protect you against spyware. You can configure Windows Defender to update
automatically. It also features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system
that recommends actions against spyware when it's detected and minimizes
interruptions. Other known good programs are Adaware and Spybot Search
and Destroy.
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