How to recognize and avoid spyware

The term “spyware” doesn’t mean an undercover operative is watching you.  Spyware also known as “adware” refers to a type of software that sends you pop-up ads when installed on your computer.

Some versions of spyware track your websites and tracks exactly what keys you type.  This is used for malicious purposes.

Spyware will cause your computer to run slow and sluggish.  There are also other privacy indications to be aware of.

Spyware monitors your websites visited, and redirects your browser to choice websites.


Here are some tips and warning signs to look out for on your computer:

• endless pop-up windows on your browsers
• you are being redirected to web sites other than the one you typed into your browser
• new, unexpected toolbars appear in your web browser that you can’t get rid of
• new, unexpected icons appear in the task tray at the bottom of your screen
• your browser’s home page has been respectively changed
• the search engine your browser opens when you click “search” has been changed
• certain keys fail to work in your browser (e.g., the tab key doesn’t work when you are moving to the next field within a form)
• random Windows error messages begin to appear
• your computer suddenly seems very slow when opening programs or processing tasks (saving files, etc.)

 

How can you prevent spyware from installing on your computer?

To avoid unintentionally installing it yourself, follow these good security practices:

• Don’t click on links in the pop-up windows – Pop-up windows are often spyware, clicking on the window may install spyware software on your computer. To close the pop-up window, click on the “X” icon in the titlebar instead of a “close” link within the window.
• Choose “no” when asked questions – Don’t trust unexpected dialog boxes asking whether you want to run a certain program or perform another type of task. Always select to close or “cancel,”  the dialog box by clicking the “X” icon in the titlebar.
• Free downloadable software is not free – Websites offer customized toolbars and other features that appeal to users. Don’t download programs from sites you don’t trust. You should realize that you may be exposing your computer to spyware by downloading these programs.
• Don’t follow email links claiming to offer anti-spyware software – Like email viruses, the links may serve the opposite purpose and actually install the spyware it claims to be eliminating.

 

Do you think you have spyware?  Here are steps to take to remove spyware from your computer.

• First run a anti-virus scan on your computer – Some anti-virus software will grab and remove spyware from your computer.  It is a good idea to set your anti-virus software to run scans periodically.
• Run a legitimate product specifically designed to remove spyware - Products will scan your computer for spyware and remove and destroy it.  Many popular products include Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware, Webroot’s SpySweeper, Microsoft’s Window Defender, and Spybot Search and Destroy.
• Be sure your anti-virus and anti-spyware software are compatible - An approach to installing the software is to ensure you don’t unintentionally introduce problems.

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References:

Security Tip (ST04-016) Recognizing and Avoiding Spyware – US-CERT
https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST04-016

Facebook: Have Ads on Your Timeline or News Feed? Then you most likely have Adware

Is your Facebook news feed or Timeline inundated with ads?

A video message posted on the Facebook Security page warns that if you see ads on the center, top or left column of your Facebook account then it’s likely you have adware on your PC.

Beyond injecting flashy, noisy ads on your Facebook  Timeline and account news feed, having adware on your computer will result in slower overall site performance and compromise system security.

It is likely that the adware was installed upon downloading rogue browser extensions or other programs promising non-existent Facebook features, such as the ability to see who viewed your Timeline (profile), setting your own Timeline theme or even non-Facebook related items like free restaurant vouchers and gift cards.

Facebook’s Help Center also stated that the programs offered by the following websites are adware and will lead to your Facebook account being littered with intrusive advertisements:

• Facetheme.com


• Pagerage.com


• Profilecraze.com


• Social-plus.com


• Facicons.com


• Facecoolsmileys.com


• Iminent.com


• Buzzdock.com


• Connectbar.net


• Elriel.com


• Dropdowndeals.com


• Pagemood.com


• Sweetim.com

If you've downloaded applications from the sites listed above or from other sites similar to them, it's strongly recommended that you remove these programs immediately.

How to Remove Rogue Browser Plug-ins

Mozilla Firefox Users

1. Click the orange ‘Firefox’ tab at the top of your browser window.


2. Select ‘Add-ons’ in the right navigation menu (it has a blue puzzle piece icon next to it).


3. Click on the ‘Extensions’ option.


4. Click ‘Remove’ next to any suspicious looking browser extensions.


5. Restart Firefox.

Chrome Users

1. Click the gray tool icon on the top right.


2. Hover over the ‘Tools’ option and click ‘Extensions’


3. Click ‘Remove’ next to any suspicious looking browser extensions.


4. Restart Chrome.

Safari Users

1. Click Safari in your top menu bar.


2. Select Preferences.


3. Select any suspicious looking browser extensions and click ‘Uninstall’.


4. Restart Safari.

Internet Explorer Users

1. Select ‘Tools’ in the menu bar (press the ‘Alt’ button if the menu bar is not visible)


2. Select ‘Manage Add-ons’


3. Select suspicious browser add-ons and click ‘More information’


4. Click the ‘Remove’ button.

Don’t miss out on the latest tech news and computer security alerts! Follow us on Twitter at @hyphenet,  “Like” us on Facebook or add us to your circle on Google+.

Viruses, Trojans and Scareware – Oh My! The Differences Between the Computer Threats Roaming About

As a computer user, you’re bound to come across terms such as ‘malware’, ‘adware’, ‘spyware’, or ‘virus’ – among others.

After all, the internet is riddled with warnings about the latest Trojan horse stomping its way onto user’s PCs and bringing all of its malware buddies or that nasty worm causing billions of dollars in damage.

Beyond knowing that the computer threats running amok can be anything from extremely annoying to downright devastating to computer users, do you know the difference between them?

Let’s go down the list.

Malware

Malware is short for “malicious software” and is a blanket term used for any type of computer threat, whether it’s a virus, spyware, adware, scareware, or worm.

Malware is created with the intent of damaging, disrupting or stealing data from your computer.

Adware

Adware is a form of malware that serves up advertisements on the infected PC. Adware is commonly bundled up with free programs (like MSN Messenger), presumably to help keep them free as the authors of the program you’re downloading likely generate revenue through ad impressions or clicks.

Typically you can avoid having adware piggybacking on free applications you download by unchecking options within the installation dialogs, but you’ll also find some adware prefers to sneak in without permission.

Spyware

Read the first three letters of the name and you already know what it was built to do – “spy” on you and your computer activities.

Yes, spyware is planted on the machines of unsuspecting users to monitor your browsing and search history, reset your browser home page or in some cases plant a keylogger to steal sensitive information like your banking details and account passwords. No privacy for you!

Scareware

Scareware is malware that’s posing as a legitimate antivirus solution that claims your PC is infected with hundreds of viruses that can only be removed if you purchase a full license. Like the name suggests, scareware feeds off the fear of the infected user in order to generate revenue for its authors.

You may have heard of the rogue application, “Security Sphere 2012” which was recently reported to rake in over $1million per month for the crooks behind it.

Trojan [Horse]

Trojan Horses pose as innocent programs that will do you no harm, only to later spring their trap to do all kinds of evil things like open up a backdoor to allow someone else to remotely control it or download additional malware to do even more damage.

Knowing that, I guess it’s not too difficult to figure out where Trojans got their name.

Virus

A computer virus is a self-replicating program designed to infect PCs and cause a world of trouble – from corrupting files and causing errors to flat out destroying hardware and rendering the PC inoperable.

Viruses commonly come attached to executable files (.exe) and require user-interaction (like running the program) in order for the virus to become active and spread.

Worms

Like viruses, worms are self-replicating programs created to wreak havoc on your computer. However, they do NOT have to attach themselves to a program and do not require any user-interaction in order to spread.

Worms use computer networks to spread from PC to PC, or even servers – often times making their way into the machines by exploiting system vulnerabilities.

Well-known worms include Conficker, SQL Slammer and the ILOVEYOU worm.

Avoiding the Dangers

Now that you’ve brushed up on your computer threat technology you may be tempted to shut off your PC and disconnect it from the internet, right? That won’t be necessary.

With the bad comes the good, which in this case is a list of steps that you can take in order to protect your PC from the latest malware threat:

1. Always run up-to-date antivirus and anti-malware software on your machine and perform system scans often.


2. Be sure to install any system and program updates to avoid malware from exploiting any system vulnerabilities that could’ve easily been patched with an update.


3. Don’t open unexpected email attachments and be sure to scan any attachments you do decide to download BEFORE opening them.


4. Exercise caution when following links to suspicious websites or content – especially if they’re found on social networking sites as they’re often a breeding ground for malware.


5. Avoid using pirated software as evil doers have been known to lace them with malware.


6. Make sure you back up your computer – and do it often! You just never know.

Be sure to follow us @hyphenet, "like" us or circle us to stay up-to-date on the latest tech news and security threats.

Did you know? Hyphenet offers virus removal services to help you get your PC back to normal. Give us a call at (619) 325-0990.

Photo Credit: Bruno Biagioni Neto

Halloween Spam Is All Tricks and No Treats

Are you going trick-or-treating this Halloween?

If not, you may receive an invite to participate in your inbox anyway, as spammers wouldn’t dare miss the opportunity to keep you guessing whether or not that email claiming to be a Halloween card really is a trick or treat.

Unfortunately if the email subject reads, “Someone Sent You a Halloween eCard!” then it’s likely a trick leading you down a dark path that will result in a spyware/adware infection.

The trick-filled Halloween themed spam reads:

Subject: Someone Sent You a Halloween eCard!
From:  Haľlôwȩȩn êCařd  (halloween.ecardvyipa@minibizhost.net)
Someone Sent you a Halloween eCard !

Șend onê of your own Halloween eCards !

Ştar iη your õwn eĈard tŏ send!

Makē a Video eCard
View Your Card

Please click heře, if you no longer wȋsh tö receive emails from us oŕ wřite to
My Fun Cards Onė Nòrth Lexington 9th Flooř Whitě Plaîns, NY 10601
(c) 2011 My Fun Cards. All Rǐghts Reserved.

Should you be brave enough to click the link, you will be taken to a page that promotes a software program called ‘MyFunCards’, which supposedly allows you to create and send e-cards to friends and family.

Sounds like quite the treat, right?

Wrong.

That treat is wrapped in tricks, as MyFunCards comes bundled with MyWebSearch, which will bog down your computer with unwanted pop-up advertisements, web search redirects and altered IE browser settings.

If that isn’t bad enough, releasing your PC from the clutches of the MyWebSearch spyware/adware can be quite the hassle and will likely require assistance from an antispyware program.

Be sure to steer clear of MyFunCards to avoid having your PC flooded with spyware/adware and stay on the lookout for other Halloween themed spam.

Have a safe, Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Photo Credit: indigoprime

 Be sure to follow us on Twitter @hyphenet and "Like" us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest computer security threats.