SPYBOT ANTI-SPYWARE
One of the programs we typically install on new computers
and during system tune-ups is an excellent Anti-Spyware program called Spybot
Search & Destroy. It is currently a free program provided by a programmer
in Europe and its distribution is now worldwide via the Internet. Many
University Computer Science Programs utilize it to keep their computers free of
performance robbing and intrusive software that is all too easy to pick up on
the Internet today. There are two main malicious program groups that Spybot
removes, Adware and Spyware. It also provides protection from deliberately
malicious web-sites that install software without permission.
Adware, in general, primarily causes additional ads to
pop-up, most frequently when you are on the internet, but they can even pop-up
on your desktop with some of these silly programs. Adware is usually packaged with other software that you have
downloaded. Free Screensavers, Tool Bars, Search Assistants and even some free
Anti-Viruses come bundled with Adware. If you read the small print before you
click OK you might even find a small warning to that extent but not always. The
Internet is very difficult to regulate.
Spyware consists of programs that effectively spy on what
you do with your computer. Some programs just report back to various marketing
companies the web-sites that you visit frequently and such basic information.
Others will even try to capture your credit card numbers, passwords and
personal data for various fraudulent reasons.
Spybot 1.4 can be downloaded free of charge from a number of
sites but requires a little knowledge to keep it up to date and protecting you
against the ravages of the large variety of software menaces floating around
out there. While the program is free to download and use, the owner suggests
donations to maintain and further improve the product and to that extent I have
donated several times since I find it quite useful.
The home web-site of the developer is:
www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
There are a number of other sites you can download from. A
Google search will direct you to other download sites. Be careful since several
other products have adopted similar names, which can cause confusion when
downloading it. Once you install the product it will guide you through the
initial updates, but you are far from finished at that point if you want the
level of protection to be maximized and maintained.
At the end of the installation and at least once a month
thereafter, preferably once a week, you need to do the following within the
program:
1)
Check for Updates & Download Them
2)
Check The Immunization Status after each update and
re-immunize if recommended.
3)
Run “Check For Problems” each month and whenever you
suspect problems.
4)
Select “Fix Problems” at the end
of the procedure to remove unwanted guests.
Please note that removing unwanted Adware may
deactivate the program that it was packaged with. Programs like Kazaa detect
the removal of their Adware components and refuse to run once they have been
removed, as part of the monetary agreement with the related Adware company.
Remember, Spybot is not a substitute for a good
Anti-Virus but rather a valuable addition to your Internet protection arsenal.
Also, remember that with a few notable exceptions, there are few things free on
the Internet. Most companies are in the business of making money. They do this
by either charging for their products, distributing a partial program version
with upgrade options or packaging their software with Adware.
Notable exceptions are:
AVG Free Anti-Virus
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Apple Quicktime & iTunes
Spybot Search and Destroy