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PCs 'infested' with spy programs
bbc ^ | Friday, 16 April, 2004

Posted on 04/16/2004 12:57:29 PM PDT by demlosers

The average computer is packed with hidden software that can secretly spy on online habits, a study has found. The US net provider EarthLink said it uncovered an average of 28 spyware programs on each PC scanned during the first three months of the year.

Spyware is a broad term for programs that hide on a person's computer without their knowledge.

It has become so pervasive that lawmakers in the US are looking into ways to prevent or regulate it.

Hidden away

The Spy Audit by EarthLink reflects the results of scans involving over one million computers between January and March.

While most spyware is adware-related and relatively benign, it's disturbing that over 300,000 of the more serious system monitors and Trojans were uncovered Matt Cobb, EarthLink. It uncovered more than 29.5 million examples of spyware. These are parasite programs sometimes come attached to software downloaded from the web. The details are often included in the license agreement small print that most users click through without reading.

But sometimes they do not even need your permission to download, but just bury themselves on a hard drive as you browse the net.

With the exception of pop-up ads or a slower computer, people may not notice anything different when spyware programs are present, say experts.

Insidious software

EarthLink said the most common type of spyware it found was adware. These are programs that display ads on an infected computer and also send data about surfing habits.

But it also found examples of more insidious spyware.

"While most spyware is adware-related and relatively benign, it's disturbing that over 300,000 of the more serious system monitors and Trojans were uncovered," said Matt Cobb of EarthLink.

"This figure represents how real a threat identity theft or system corruption is for users."

System monitors can surreptitiously watch what you do, steal personal information and despatch it across the web, while Trojans can allow malicious hackers to get access to a computer and steal information.

"By tracking and publicising the growth of spyware, we can better educate consumers of its risks and encourage them to take steps to protect themselves and their families while online," said Christine Stevenson of Webroot, which conducted the scans.

People concerned about what might be lurking on their machine can download software such as the popular SpyBot to disinfect their computer.


TOPICS: Extended News; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: lowqualitycrap; microsoft; privacy; spybot; spyware; windows
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To: backhoe
One thing every war gives us is more medical knowledge.Too bad it comes at such a price.

Besides metal plates,they used screws and bone on me,too.Plastic surgeon moved some nerves around and gave me feeling and the use of some "parts" I haven't had for quite a while.

With all of the different things they patched up and moved around,they gained a "lot" but never found a way to fix the crazy thing that I really wanted fixed.Oh well,I'm strong,kickin' and mostly real healthy. :)

The Doctors reactions to my "in the field" medical fixes were pretty funny.One of 'em told me "that can't be done",but my wife was there and had seen me do a good deal.Made her sick several times when I worked on myself.

As you said,you do what you have to do."When the goin' gets tough,the tough get goin'." :)

121 posted on 04/18/2004 4:16:13 AM PDT by Free Trapper (One with courage is often a majority.)
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To: Free Trapper
As you said,you do what you have to do."When the goin' gets tough,the tough get goin'." :)

You have that right, my friend- like the old Foreign Legion motto, life is literally "March, or Die..." you keep goin' 'til you can't go no mo'...

122 posted on 04/18/2004 4:20:40 AM PDT by backhoe
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To: Free Trapper
If ZoneAlarm is showing almost constant traffic then you have spyware. Some commercial company has installed software on your system that is transmitting info to them. Ad-Aware, SpyBot-Search-and-Destroy and Spyware Blaster should find all of that kind of stuff.

As far as the lost information is concerned after scandisk repaired your disk, if you want to continue playing so you can learn, that is one thing. But if you want to re-install the operating system because you think there are problems then don't do it. If there is bad data on the drive it'll show up soon enough. For example, Windows installation may be fine but some other program got messed up. So when you try to use that other program and it is corrupt then it'll let you know. At that point you can take action for that one program.

Five hours sounds about right for scandisk when there are errors on the drive. BUT, you should consider changing the hard drive. One or two bad sectors is one thing. It sounds like you had more than one or two and it is probably time to replace that hard drive or at least backup all of your data before you lose it.

Corrupt data on the hard drive means that the words are misspelled, etc but can be corrected. Bad sectors means physical problems on the disk. When physical problems and bad sectors start to show up on the disk it is usually an indication that the hard drive is getting ready to die.
123 posted on 04/18/2004 9:59:05 AM PDT by El Gran Salseron (It translates as the Great, Big Salsa Dancer, nothing more. :-))
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To: Hodar
I never did thank you - thanks! Did you find a lot of DLL problems when spies/ads were removed?? AFE
124 posted on 04/18/2004 12:24:38 PM PDT by ApesForEvolution (FREE 3D Online Golf Game - Independent Reseller of the Week: http://egolfinternational.com/wig)
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To: Hodar
Howdy, I downloaded this:

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

and then I got this message from my PC:

Symantec AnitVirus Notification
Scan type: Realtime Protection Scan
Event: Virus Found!
Virus name: Trojan Horse
File: C:\WINNT\system32\pc3mf418.exe
Location: Quarantine
Action taken: Quarantine succeeded : Access denied
Date found: Monday, April 19, 2004 7:13:29 PM

Other than that, everything is aallrriigghhtt. FYI
125 posted on 04/19/2004 5:19:25 PM PDT by evets (God bless president George W. Bush)
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