Author Topic: Spyware (Read 6816 times)

Clive Nevell · « **on:** December 27, 2005, 12:22:00 PM »

Perhaps someone could give me advice and information about "Spyware"

I wondert if this could be checked out and see if you think it is necessary to use it it or not.

http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/?ref=ov_us&ovmkt=57IR54CHCE4KCCOHCJBCPVP0S8

Clive

Clive Nevell · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2005, 01:06:00 AM »

http://labs.paretologic.com/spyware.aspx?remove=MyTob

If my computer is infected with the virus (MyTob virus) would this get rid of it.

At this stage after running a virus check it said there no viruses found.

Clive

JimB · « **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2005, 11:42:00 AM »

Brother Clive, I am not familiar with the product that you have listed. I went to the website you provided and since "PC Magazine" has put their stamp of approval on it, it is probably decent software. However, there are a number of other software titles that are free and have my confidence. You can find them here...

Spybot S&D can be found...
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

AD-Aware Personal SE can be found here...
http://www.lavasoft.com/

Microsoft's Antispyware can be found here...
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

I have used all three of these and I am happy with the results. Actually I use all three. They all find things that the others don't. So all should cover you fairly effectively.

However, viruses and spyware are two different things. And if you don't have Norton's Antivirus and would like anti-virus package you can get AVG for free and that can be found here...

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

Hope this helps...

Clive Nevell · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2006, 12:23:00 AM »

Jim

Thanks for that info.

Just another question

Do you use all three programs and is it necessary for me to do the same?

Have a Happy and Blessed New Year.

Clive

Liane H · « **Reply #4 on:** January 02, 2006, 01:58:00 AM »

Brother Jim:

What does Zone Alarm and other sofware like do exactly? I had to take out my old one as it was corrupting my system and causing problems.

Was advised to buy a more advanced one. So is there any other program like Zone Alarm?

Liane, the Zoo Mama

JimB · « **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2006, 02:52:00 PM »

Brother Clive.... yes, I use all three and recommend that you too should use all three. The reason why I say this is because each program is not perfect and will find spyware that the other did not. They overlap enough that after using each of them to scan your computer you can be fairly confident that you're spyware free.

Spyware S&D has an option to "innoculate" your computer. I would recommend that you do this. This will prevent most spyware from attaching itself to your computer in the first place.

JimB · « **Reply #6 on:** January 02, 2006, 03:04:00 PM »

Sister Liane, Zone Alarm is a nice piece of software. However, the newer versions have become more "buggy" and clumsy to use. If you have an older version of it that you are familiar with I would recommend that you use stick it.

"Zone Alarm" and programs like it protect your computer from being infected by "trojan horses" through the open "Ports" of networking protocols. "Zone Alarm" will mask these ports so that it appears to the rest of the world like your computer is not even on the internet and is very effective in doing it's job.

If you wish to test your computer after installing "Zone Alarm" to make sure that it is doing it's job you can do a leak test here....

http://www.grc.com/lt/leaktest.htm

Richard Myers · « **Reply #7 on:** January 02, 2006, 06:21:00 PM »

Here is an interesting site that appears to be very informative in regards to this subject.
Castle Cops

Any comments?

JimB · « **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2006, 10:09:00 AM »

Brother Richard, I'am assuming you were talking about the first article in the list? It was very good and very timely for our discussion here and now.

I agree with everything he said but one point I take exception to. That is he said a firewall is an ablsolute must. He did not clarify any more. But it is my opinion that those who use dial-up and are not on for hours at at time wouldn't really have to have one. However, it doesn't hurt.

It is the computers that are constantly connected to the internet that abosolutely need a firewall.

Another point that he made in the article I will definitely agree with is that one anti-virus program per computer is enough. More than one and you will start to run into problems. Pick one that you trust and stick with it.

Clive Nevell · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2006, 10:19:00 AM »

I put the Spybot on and also uninstalled my PC-cillin and installed AVG so hope things improve.

To date the computer seems to be going faster.

When I have a problem and call Bigpond Tech Support they often ask me to make sure my firewall is not "On".

They tell me it causes problems with the "One Way Satellite" that I have.

Clive

Clive Nevell · « **Reply #10 on:** January 17, 2006, 03:19:00 PM »

Just installed the ant-spyware that you suggested Jim on my sisters computer and also AVG anti-virus program.

It all seems to be going well.

On her computer there were 11 programs that had been infected and they were deleted then so hope it helps ti fix up her problems.

Thanks Jim

Clive

Richard Myers · « **Reply #11 on:** January 17, 2006, 05:46:00 PM »

I have dial up, but it seems that even when I don't want to dial in, the computer is doing it anyway. Also, I sometimes get called away and come back the next day? Yep... So, even if you have dial up without a firewall (that's me) then every time you leave it on, you open yourself to the crooks.

JimB · « **Reply #12 on:** January 18, 2006, 05:14:00 AM »

Brother Richard, are you saying that your computer dials up and get's itself online?

I haven't heard of a trojan-horse like that in a few years now. Has any anti-virus or spyware software caught it and identified it?

JimB · « **Reply #13 on:** January 18, 2006, 06:37:00 AM »

Brother Richard, maybe this is a lesson for me to not recommend steps based on my experience. I have been online since the mid/late 80's. Using dial-up even today and all of these years I've never gotten a virus or any other piece of malware.

We just never know.

Richard Myers · « **Reply #14 on:** January 18, 2006, 07:53:00 PM »

Sure does. But, I am happy to report that it does not yet turn itself on!!

So, if I want to make sure that no one is using my computer I don't turn it on.

I had spybot running a few years ago, but it never ran right and I got tired of the problems associated with it. I thought that maybe one of the programs I downloaded wanted me online, like Yahoo Messenger and that was why my computer was dialing. I don't trust any of these companies any more. If I can help it, I don't do any business online. The internet is great for what we are doing, but I don't like the loss of privacy and the "do it or forget it" attitude some companies have with their requirements online. I just make a phone call and talk with real people. They can keep their internet business since they make me fill out all the information even before I know what I want.

Sorry, for the digression, but I just chalk up my dial up problems to disnonesty in the corporate world.

JimB · « **Reply #15 on:** January 19, 2006, 05:13:00 AM »

Brother Richard, it very well could be dishonesty in the corporate world. However, a few years back there was a trojan-horse that did just what you're talking about. I won't name it here because the name itself is not very appropriate. The code was written by someone who had too much time on their hands.

However, if you're watching the computer news. There have been a big company that got in trouble recently for installing a piece of software without the users knowledge when you used thier product. It installed the software in such a way that it could not be undone and it permanantly disabled some features on the computer.

Are you using Win98?

Richard Myers · « **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2006, 12:44:00 PM »

Yes, Brother Jim, I am using win98. Is there an easy way to deal with the suspected trojan? Would a new HD take care of the problem? There are files I want to keep. Where does the trojan live?

JimB · « **Reply #17 on:** January 20, 2006, 06:32:00 AM »

Assuming that you do have the trojan you wouldn't have to purchase a new HD. Just re-partition and formatting the current HD will do. If you have an Anti-virus software package it should be able to detect it and get rid of it.

Here is the technical information on it...

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/warn/backorifice.html

I believe there is a free download of the cleaner somewhere. I'll keep looking.

Ah... here it is. This is a list of all the free virus removal programs. Keep in mind that these will only remove the one particular virus/trojan. It will not do everything.

http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/home_homeoffice/tools.list.html

[This message has been edited by JimB (edited 01-20-2006).]

Won Bae · « **Reply #18 on:** January 21, 2006, 12:17:00 PM »

Brother Richard.
My opinion about the Symantec products are negative. I have talked with a few computer techs they all recommand to get rid of Norton Antivirus software. One installed a free AVG for me. Since then I installed on all my five computers. There is another free software, I think, works well is produced by "www.lavasoft.com" and download a "personal use" antispyware free.

Won

Richard Myers · « **Reply #19 on:** January 21, 2006, 05:45:00 PM »

Thanks, Dr. Won and Brother Jim. I have been using AVG for about a year now and all seems to go quite well. But, sometimes you don't know. Would AVG antivirus pick up the trojan you are speaking of, Brother Jim?