Spyware from HELL!!

Keeping up with this is sometimes more work than fun. With work and family commitments, looking for something unique to write about on a regular basis can be trying. But let's see, what's interesting that happened recently? Last week was pretty good, the Yankees got eliminated, and the Redskins lost. I've been working on some friends computers, trying to remove spyware and such. What a mess! The conventional tools and methods are just not working. Apparently there is a new wave spyware on the horizon, and once it gets on your machine you won't be able to remove it short of reloading the operating system. Two of the sites I frequent for spyware removal help are www.spywareinfo.com and www.pchell.com, these guys have seen it all.

What really peeves me is that everyone thinks the internet is a "free for all playground". They're out there surfing without any protection or even a clue they are in any danger. I meet people everyday that have broadband connections, but do not use a router. Worse is some do use wireless routers and they are not encrypted. So I ask them, do you have anti-virus software? They usually say yes, but don't have a clue if it's up to date or if their subscription is current. When I go into anti-spyware applications, it just goes downhill from there. It's amazing how little people really know about that box they call their home computer.

I'll clue you in on some great FREE software you SHOULD have loaded and running at all times on your computer.

First, there's no need to pay for anti-virus subscriptions. You can use AVG Free http://free.grisoft.com), it will catch things Symantec and McAfee will not.

Second, download and install ALL of these programs:

Spybot (http://www.spybot.info)

Adaware (http://www.lavasoft.de/)

Microsoft AntiSpyware (beta)(http://www.microsoft.com)

Ewido Security Suite (www.ewido.net). This baby will find things none of the others will find. The free download will says it's beta, but that just for the extras that come with it. The scanning and removal will still work. Plus you can do an online scan from their website.

Third, use a firewall, even on a slow dialup, use a firewall. If you are using Windows XP, make sure the firewall is enabled. For all other windows versions you can get ZoneAlarm, a FREE software firewall from http://www.zonelabs.com. If you're on a broadband connection, use a router. A router is a natural firewall because it does network address translation, i.e. It translates your one (public) IP address from your ISP to one or more PRIVATE IP addresses on your home network. These are not free (none that I know of), but are relatively inexpensive and readily available at many retail outlets.

I don't recommend software firewalls such as Norton or McAfee. For one, They are not "user" friendly for the average computer user. Second, I know from experience that far too many threats will get past it (and disable the firewall in the process). Third, they take up a lot of resources, and yes even if you have a new Pentium IV with gobs of memory, these subscription based software firewalls are cumbersome. A hardware firewall (a router) and free Zonealarm will do as good a job.