Spyware & Adware
What is it and
how to make your computer go fast again.
What is Spyware?
• ParasiteWare
• Adware
• Spyware
• Malware
Page Hijackers
Dialers
Spyware Vs. VirusSpyware & Other Potentially
Unwanted SoftwareViruses
Motivation Profit Intent Harmful
Monitor online activities for commercial gain
Damage computer system, corrupt files and destroy data
anti-virus software not helpful Detectable and removable with anti-virus software
Difficult to relate symptoms with spyware infection: Sluggish PC performance, increased pop-up ads, unexplained home page change, mysterious search results, etc.
Easy to relate symptoms with virus infecton: Corrupt program files, loss of computer storage memory, deletion of critical files, etc.
New technology (less than 5 years)
Old Technology
Who Does SpyWare Effect
• Windows Users YES!!!!!!!!!
• Mac Users Not Really
• Linux/Unix Users Not Really
How Do You Contract Spyware
• Visiting websites
• Via E-mail
• Installing it yourself
How to Cleanup Spyware
Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition
SpyBot Search&Destroy
MacScan
How Do I know what is safe to Remove?
• If a spyware scanning application found it, it is removable.
• Only exception is free software that comes with Ads.
How to Prevent SpywareAd-Aware SE Personal EditionSpyBot Search&DestroySpywareBlasterSpywareGuardMacScan
Install a pop-up blocker
READ EULA before installing Software
Stay up to date with your security patches!!!!
TURN ON YOUR FIREWALL!!!!
Windows Firewalling
Windows Patching
Mac Firewalling
Mac Patching
Additional Resources
www.spywareguide.com
www.spywarewarrior.com
www.firewallguide.com/spyware.htm
www.securemac.com
genetics.cwru.edu/help/
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/expert/honeycutt_spyware.mspx
