Spyware and Adware

Spyware and AdwareSpyware and Adware

How to spot it and get rid of it!How to spot it and get rid of it!

DefinitionsDefinitions VirusVirus

A virus is a piece of computer code that A virus is a piece of computer code that attaches itself to a program or file so it can attaches itself to a program or file so it can spread from computer to computer, infecting spread from computer to computer, infecting as it travels. Viruses can damage your as it travels. Viruses can damage your software, your hardware, and your files. software, your hardware, and your files.

WormWorm A worm generally spreads without user action A worm generally spreads without user action

and distributes complete copies (possibly and distributes complete copies (possibly modified) of itself across networks. A worm can modified) of itself across networks. A worm can consume memory or network bandwidth, thus consume memory or network bandwidth, thus causing a computer to stop responding. causing a computer to stop responding.

Definitions (cont…)Definitions (cont…) SpywareSpyware

Spyware is any technology that aids in Spyware is any technology that aids in gathering information about a person or gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. It organization without their knowledge. It Can overload your system and shutdown Can overload your system and shutdown other services.other services.

Tojan HorseTojan Horse Computer program that appears to be Computer program that appears to be

useful software, but instead useful software, but instead compromises your security and causes a compromises your security and causes a lot of damage. lot of damage.

How Do We Get ThemHow Do We Get Them

Opening EmailOpening Email

Visiting Web SitesVisiting Web Sites

Installing SoftwareInstalling Software

Just having a Computer on a NetworkJust having a Computer on a Network

How Do You Protect YourselfHow Do You Protect Yourself

Educate YourselfEducate Yourself

AntiVirus ProgramsAntiVirus Programs

Patching and UpdatingPatching and Updating

AntiSpyware ProgramsAntiSpyware Programs

Some Spyware ExamplesSome Spyware Examples







Other Names that you might see areOther Names that you might see are

Drive ShieldDrive ShieldBearShareBearShareKaxaaKaxaaMorpheusMorpheusWildTangent – WildTangent – GamesGamesAdded Toolbars Added Toolbars Free SceenSaver Free SceenSaver AnythingAnythingSpam Blocker UtilitySpam Blocker UtilityFree Desktop Free Desktop WallpaperWallpaper

Anything that asks you for

something that you did not request

could be spyware!

EducationEducation

Don’t open emails that looks “fishy”Don’t open emails that looks “fishy” Don’t visit “bad” websitesDon’t visit “bad” websites Only install software from “Trusted” Only install software from “Trusted”

vendorsvendors Scan files before opening themScan files before opening them Visit websites like Microsoft to get Visit websites like Microsoft to get

informed of new security alerts.informed of new security alerts.

AntiVirus ProgramsAntiVirus Programs

We use Avg AntiVirusWe use Avg AntiVirus It should be installed on all systems It should be installed on all systems

on campus.on campus. It is also available for personal use at It is also available for personal use at

home. home. You can download the latest version You can download the latest version

atat www.grisoft.comwww.grisoft.com

Patching and UpdatingPatching and Updating One of the best things that you can do One of the best things that you can do

to protect your system is to Patch it.to protect your system is to Patch it. Most people believe that their system Most people believe that their system

got infected because of a failed got infected because of a failed AntiVirus product, but they are wrong.AntiVirus product, but they are wrong.

Most infected systems become Most infected systems become infected because of poorly patched infected because of poorly patched systems.systems.

Patching is a simple, easy, and free Patching is a simple, easy, and free way to protect your system.way to protect your system.

How you patch a systemHow you patch a system To do it manually, To do it manually,

use the windows use the windows update Icon on your update Icon on your start menu.start menu.

To do it automatically To do it automatically right click on My right click on My Compter, select Compter, select properties and then properties and then choose Automatic choose Automatic Updates tab then Updates tab then select Automatic- select Automatic- 3:00am3:00am

AntiSpyware ProgramsAntiSpyware Programs Spyware is typically placed on your system by Spyware is typically placed on your system by

visiting websites and installing software.visiting websites and installing software. Typical signs that you have spywareTypical signs that you have spyware

You have a lot of popup windows when visiting the web You have a lot of popup windows when visiting the web or just logging on to your system.or just logging on to your system.

Your homepage has changed to a different site.Your homepage has changed to a different site. You notice a major drop in system performance.You notice a major drop in system performance. Your antispyware or antivirus utility stops working.Your antispyware or antivirus utility stops working. You go to search for things and your search page has You go to search for things and your search page has

changed.changed. New Items appear in your favorites.New Items appear in your favorites. In many cases there are no signs and it is running In many cases there are no signs and it is running

silently recording your actions.silently recording your actions.

Protect Yourself from Protect Yourself from Spyware Spyware

Use a popup blocker like Google Toolbar, or the Use a popup blocker like Google Toolbar, or the one that comes with FireFox and Internet Explorer.one that comes with FireFox and Internet Explorer.

Install AntiSpyware utilities.Install AntiSpyware utilities. Some 2 that we recommend are Ad-aware and Some 2 that we recommend are Ad-aware and

Spybot - Search and Destroy.Spybot - Search and Destroy.These can be found for free atThese can be found for free at

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/inhttp://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/in

dex.htmldex.html http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4086.htmlhttp://www.majorgeeks.com/download4086.html

These programs are These programs are notnot provided to you by CCSS and provided to you by CCSS and are free for anyone to download for personal use.are free for anyone to download for personal use.

Spybot – Search and Spybot – Search and DestroyDestroy

Spybot - UpdatingSpybot - Updating Always Update the software before Always Update the software before

scanning or immunizing the system.scanning or immunizing the system.

Spybot - ScanningSpybot - Scanning Click the Search and Destroy Button to scan the system.Click the Search and Destroy Button to scan the system. This will clean off existing Spyware.This will clean off existing Spyware.

LavaSoft’s Ad-AwareLavaSoft’s Ad-Aware

Ad-Aware - UpdateAd-Aware - Update Use the Check for Updates Link on the Main Use the Check for Updates Link on the Main

screen or the Web update Button.screen or the Web update Button.

Ad-Aware - ScanningAd-Aware - Scanning Click the Scan Now ButtonClick the Scan Now Button Choose to do a Full System ScanChoose to do a Full System Scan

Ad-Aware – Scan ResultsAd-Aware – Scan Results You will get Critical Objects (Clean)You will get Critical Objects (Clean) You will get Negligible Objects (Can Leave Alone)You will get Negligible Objects (Can Leave Alone)

Mostly MRU (Most Recently Used)

Ad-Aware – Clean ObjectsAd-Aware – Clean Objects When you clean objects they go to the Quarantine. When you clean objects they go to the Quarantine. You can leave them or delete them.You can leave them or delete them.

Other Follow Up LinksOther Follow Up LinksYou can view this Presentation atYou can view this Presentation at

www.coffeecountschools.comwww.coffeecountschools.com and then look at the last entry on the left side menu for Spyware Help. and then look at the last entry on the left side menu for Spyware Help.

For video presentations please go to For video presentations please go to

SpybotSpybothttp://www.coffeecountyschools.com/train/spybot2007/spybot2007.htmlhttp://www.coffeecountyschools.com/train/spybot2007/spybot2007.html

AdawareAdawarehttp://www.coffeecountyschools.com/train/AdawareMovie/AdawareMovie.htmlhttp://www.coffeecountyschools.com/train/AdawareMovie/AdawareMovie.html