Spyware

What is this stuff getting installed on my computer?

By David Foster
CBR Systems Analyst

Spyware can be a multitude of different types of invasive files on your hard drive.  Their purpose is to capture your keystrokes (what you type, i.e. credit card information), passwords, logon names, track your Web browsing and report it back the spyware originator.

They started, and still are, the somewhat harmless cookies that store personal information (like your password) for your convenience.  In most cases, there is little harm with these files.  It is important to note that more and more web sites require some sort of cookie to be available in order to access the site. 

However, Spyware programs also use cookies to collect information on your browsing habits. 

Problems start when adware is installed on your computer.  Their function is similar to cookies, but they are applications that are installed on your computer to collect information and send it back to the creator.  These files are often the cause of those dreaded pop-up ads.

Programs like Xupiter are invasive as they will change your web browser’s settings, thus hijacking it, to point to it’s own site.  They can start opening new windows showing their own advertising, without you doing anything on your end.  Basically they can take limited control of your computer.  Xupiter is spread in spam emails and also can be installed in what is termed as a “drive-by download”.  These are particularly annoying as simply going to a certain web site will can allow it to be installed, without your permission or even knowledge.

Gator and Hotbar are other programs that enter your computer via email.  Advertised as an free enhancement tool for MS Outlook or MS Internet Explorer, they can remember passwords and customize the look of your Outlook program and messages.  But remember, nothing comes for free.  In return for these enhancements, these programs track your browsing habits and incorporate sponsor advertisements, etc.

Finally there are even more blatant spyware programs called key loggers and Trojan horses.  The key logger programs will capture your keystrokes and send them back to the creator, while the Trojan horses can create access to your computer for others to take control.   These types of programs, if not out and out illegal, come very close.

The main computer problem with spyware, other than pop-ads and tracking, is that they eat up bandwidth and resources.  Also, they can cause internal changes within a program so that it will not work 100% correctly. 

Spyware causing problems with Tempo
Many members have been having problems with Tempo as a result of spyware.  They have sited:

• pop-up ads occur when no other browser is open; 
• clicking on a link causes MS Internet Explorer to do something erratic; 
• problems with the Add/Edit area of Tempo; 
• problems logging out of Tempo. 

These are a few of the problems, and often they have been attributed to spyware.

What can you Do?
Removing these programs can be a nightmare. First, they actually install themselves to your Windows registry so to remove them manually you need to be comfortable editing your registry.  Second, they have obscure install files, so even if you can locate and remove the program, the install file will reinstall everything.  Finally, they can install themselves within MS Outlook and MS Internet Explorer so well, that simply trying to uninstall them will cause more damage than good.

The good news is that there are a host of programs now available that locate and remove spyware from your computer.  These programs will actually search your hard drive and scan your registry for any signs of spyware and remove them for you. 

The Technical Support staff here at the Columbus Board of REALTORS® has found that no one program will get rid of all the spyware. We recommend these three programs to be thorough.  X-Cleaner; Ad-ware; Spybot Search & Destroy.

These programs are free or have a free version, and are easily found and downloaded from the Internet.  Please note that both the creators of these programs and the Technical Support staff warn to run these programs at your own risk.  It is possible that removing parts of a spyware program may cause an Internet program you have downloaded to stop working --  like Kazaa or iMesh.  This does mean that a choice has to be made between these types of programs and being able to use the Tempo system efficiently.

Once the programs have been downloaded and installed, you can simply run them (one at a time) to see what they find. 

Spybot and Ad-aware will quarantine anything they find and remove.  This allows you to restore files to their original location should you incur a problem.

X Cleaner will completely remove the spyware as well as MS Internet Explorer cookies, unless told otherwise.  So be sure to note your passwords for Internet web sites you access.

These three programs should find and neutralize the most spyware on your computer.  If you had been experiencing any of the problems mentioned earlier within the Tempo system, you should find them resolved after this. 

Depending on the amount of spyware found, this should also make a noticeable difference in both program and download speed. 

Finally, you should probably run these programs monthly, since spyware can be added after cleaning your system.