Breaking, Entering Your PC (Windows Scumware And Parasiteware Alert)

Los Angeles Times ^ | 11/26/04 | Terry McDermott

[goldstategop]

The site has multiple forums for various computing problems, but the overwhelming number of inquiries in the last year has dealt with spyware, which on the site has a variety of less neutral names, "scumware" being one of the more polite. Scumware had been an epidemic; in the last year it grew into a pandemic, said Steve Wechsler, one of those drawn to Eshelman's site.

Wechsler was tending bar at a public golf course in South San Francisco when he bought his first computer less than a decade ago.

"I brought it home and turned it on, clicked on Netscape and expected something to happen. I still think about how dumb I was," he said. That ignorance makes him empathize with other casual users, people who expect their computers to be tools, not obligations.

The muting of the usefulness of those tools is what motivates him most. "I hate bullies. I've hated bullies my whole life. They prey on people. I'm not going to sit by and do nothing," he said. "It's your computer. They have no right to assault it."

[AmericaUnited]

The HOSTS file trick is great for non-computer savy types.

[Cloud William]

Bump for later reading.

[steve86]

The HOSTS file trick is great for non-computer savy types.

Works great for savvy types also. My computer is still trying to figure out whether I'm savvy or not.

In Linux and some other OSs you can also use the hosts.deny/hosts.allow files, but keeping everything in hosts works OK.

As many Linux Mandrake systems run a local webserver for CUPS administration, the queries are redirected to the local Apache server.

[steve86]

I should add that spyware hasn't been a big problem on Linux, but denying these hosts blocks a lot of unwanted flash ads and other screen clutter.

[BookaT]

I heard a business news host call spy(scum)ware the equivalent of Hutzpah! What the hell was that?

I know for a fact I lost a few weeks off the end of my life due to some of this crap.

If I ever meet the createror user of this crap I will punch them squaw in the face, if not kick them squaw in the nuts.

I am serious this is a major crime, I almost threw my computer out the window.

I dont care about the fixes does nayone know the culprits? I know that spykiller 2004 removed AMAZINGLY exactly what I needed removed.

It is discusting. I would effing pay $100 into a fund to prosecute these ass bags.

I hate it. I can not say it more strongly without getting into trouble

[engrpat]

We all have our specialties. It amazes me when smart people do things that I would regard as completely asinine. They just don't know any better.

Very well said. I have, over the years worked with several very brilliant people who you wonder how they got dressed that day. The two I was speaking of are really supper guys in every way but when it comes to computers wow are they lost. Guess we all have our areas that we just can't see into.

[kmiller1k]

Keep your day job--you are NOT a comedian. I have never download a spyware program--I visited Drudge and it came in uninvited that way. I run Norton Anti-virus and Security but they still got in. Yesterday we added Webroot and it found over 400 spyware programs even though we thought we were careful.

[CMOTB]

I do the same thing when I go over to friends places. I offer to clean their systems, and it averages between 25 to 100 plus spyware/cookies ect. Most of it is fairly harmless, but its still an invasion of privacy. IMO

[schaketo]

Ping

[DollyCali]

I got webroot (spy sweeper) a few weeks ago & it found oodles more that spy bot & ad-aware had missed

[Spiff]

Do you allow unrestricted ActiveX access?

No. And Windows XP SP2 locked that down further. I still got slimed.

[DollyCali]

I need to clean sweep my computer.. is there an advantage to use liniux instead of MS XP PRO? I don't have a clue about it.

$$$ is a consideration & I can reload XP Pro sp2..

also I changed from IE to Mozilla on recommendation of FReeper..

[DollyCali]

Do you allow unrestricted ActiveX access

what is this? how do you know if you are or are NOT allowing it? I am guessing it is NOT good

[KneelBeforeZod]

my favorite shirt is NO I DONT HAVE A QUARTER....good for areas heavy in panhandlers

[nh1]

Bump for later

I'm in the process of cleaning out my system. I just got hosed any and all information is good.

[leftcoaster]

I've had a problem for about 3 weeks now on my Win98 system. IE (any version, but using 6.x) won't launch. This also prevents Windows Update from also running, and any other programs that depend upon IE to access the internet.

I have been getting by with Mozilla in the mean time, but if I can't run IE I am getting limited on keeping my system running properly.

I have Norton AntiVirus, run several spyware removers (AdAware SE, Spyware Blaster, Spybot) reinstalled Win98 and IE, ran the IE repair tool, and installed Zone Alarm and SpySweeper, all to no avail.

IE will run if I boot in Safe mode. But my modem won't work in Safe mode, so I can't access the internet.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

[backhoe]

Thanks- I've used xxcopy but hadn't seen those others- copied & saved.

[backhoe]

You people really crack me up, all the crap you want people to install on their computer to 'get rid of crap'. Swallowing the spider to catch the fly. Just don't install the spyware crap in the first place! and if you inadvertantly do, uninstall it! Say "no" to installing every dang thing that is offered to you, and you'll have no problems at all.

First off, I'm not "You people"- you can keep a civil tongue, thanks.

Much malware installs invisibly and silently. The files & sites I listed have helped many people.

[backhoe]

Thanks for all the great links. BTW your sygate link has a glitch.

Thanks for catching that- I will check it.

[backhoe]

Thanks- I'll change that.