Spyware Examples January 26, 2006
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In general, any technology that gathers information about you without your explicit permission is considered spyware. A look at some types of programs that may be spying on you:
Adware:
Some software applications track where you go on the Web, report the information back to advertisers, and then allow advertisers to target you with relevant ads. This type of adware often comes bundled with a free program you’re downloading, such as clocks, weather forecasts or programs that offer to remember information — such as your address, passwords, phone numbers — and fill out forms for you. In exchange for the free program, you’re trading information about you and your browsing habits. Most of these programs tell you what they’re doing in the fine print on their user agreements. Surveys show, of course, that most people don’t read these agreements.
Cookies:
Many Web sites have “cookies” — a file that downloads to your computer when you visit a site. Most cookies are innocuous, or even helpful. Companies read cookies that they’ve placed on a user’s computer to help them learn what pages were visited and other information. For example, NPR uses cookies to remember a user’s member station or what audio player is preferred. But some cookies can be used to help gather more information than you’re comfortable sharing.
Drive-by Download:
A software program that is automatically saved to your computer when you visit certain Web sites. Most of these programs are spyware. Programs that actively change your homepage and other browser settings to take you to Web sites you had no intention of visiting often are delivered by drive-by downloads.
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Feds Demand Over 1 Million Search Engine Records January 20, 2006
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Big Brother is watching. It appears that the U. S. Government wants the internet community to “assist” them in what should be their job, online surveillance. In fact, it our friends in the Bush Administration want the search engines to hand over records of what the general public has been searching for on the internet! (yes, this means you!)
Google appears to be the only search engine that has refused to comply with the White House subpoena, which was first issued last summer. It has been widely and apparently correctly, reported that Yahoo! has already turned over such records to the Feds.
MSN won’t say if it has complied or not (draw your own conclusions on that one.). For its non-compliance, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales this week asked a federal judge in San Jose for a court order compelling Google hand over the records.
The government wants a list of all requests entered into Google’s search engine during one week (for now) results that could include tens of millions of queries. In addition, it seeks 1 million randomly selected Web addresses from various Google databases.
The Feds say that they aren’t asking for any data that will tie search requests to personal data (okaaaayyy…). Even if that is true, personal data is not hard to get, and is often tied to search requests. And given the tendency of the Federal Government to completely disregard the privacy of individuals in order to advance its own interests, how can we be sure how they will be using the information collected?
Is it just me, or does it feel like we live in a dictatorship? That giant sucking sound you hear is your personal information going into a black hole.
Since obviously the Feds have no intention of honoring the U.S. Bill of Rights, it’s time to take your security, and your privacy, into your own hands. We have uncovered a product that will erase your tracks on the internet completely. The most effective privacy software in the market, this complete tool offers 100% guaranteed protection. After identifying and analyzing your surfing habits and the unwanted data hidden in your drives, this software destroys it with proven methods of secure disposal similar to US Department of Defense standards for destruction of classified material.
It’s time to stop leaving your privacy to chance. Its a shame you have to protect yourself from your own government, but now it is no longer optional, it is essential.
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Stay safe!
To read more about this story, click Here
What is Spyware and Adware? January 17, 2006
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Spyware and Adware viruses have rapidly become the number one threat to your computer with over 90% of computers already infected. These include “Trojans”, Web Bugs, Advertiser Software, Monitoring Software and more. Fortunately there are good spyware protection and adware spyware virus removal tools available. Sorting through them all to find the right one is a challenging task and an important decision to make.
Consequences From Spyware: hijacked browsers, reset home pages, changed search results, spam emails sent to you, slow browsers, toolbars added to your browser, and many more.
You Need To Understand What Spyware Is!
Spyware and Adware, also called “Malware”, are files made by publishers that allow them to snoop on your browsing activity, see what you purchase and send you “pop-up” ads. They can slow down your PC, cause it to crash, record your credit card numbers and worse. If you’re like most Internet users, chances are your PC is probably infected with these files. Simply surfing the Internet, reading email, downloading music or other files can infect your PC without you knowing it.
Some Spyware Q&A:
Q. So What is Spyware?
A. Spyware are individual programs that embed themselves within your computer and monitor your internet browsing activites. They can spy on your confidential information (passwords, credit card info, etc).
Q. What is Adware?
A. Adware are software applications that display advertising banners and popups. If you get inundated with popups chances are you have been infected by Adware.
Q. What is Malware?
A. It is the short term for malicious software. Malware are more commonly referred as viruses, trojans, and worms.
Q. What is a Trojan virus?
A. A Trojan virus is software that breaks through computer security and disguises itself as something benign (harmless).
Q. What are Computer Viruses?
A. Destructive programs that disrupt the normal functioning of computer systems.
Is Your Computer Infected?……..
On our website, www.alertcomputer.com, you can read more about how to detect spyware.
