INTERNET SECURITY INFORMATION
Compliments of Colorado Valley Internet

Please note that Colorado Valley does not provide support for the below software. If you require support you must visit the vendor's website.  Please read all information on this page.

Spyware Removal Software

Spybot Search & Destroy, created by Patrick Kolla, won the PC Magazine's Editor's Choice Award for effective Spyware removal.  This software can be downloaded free of charge http://www.download.com (perform a search for "Spybot").  Spybot will scan your computer and allow you to remove hidden Spyware on your system.  We suggest an update to the software before you attempt a scan.

What Spyware Is And How
It Affects Your Privacy And Security


“Spyware” is a general term for software designed to spy on you in certain ways, preferably without your knowledge and sometimes without your consent. You may hear Spyware referred to as Scumware, Keyloggers, Adware, or Malware.  Spyware is the cause of many annoying pop-up ads.  It can also be the reason an Internet connection is extremely slow.

To be more specific about these terms:

Spyware can track your computer activities, especially your surfing habits. It sends this information to the creator of the spyware application. Spyware is ultimately designed to actively collect an arsenal of information about you without your knowledge. What happens with your “profile” is up to the creator of the application.

Scumware is software that scans the web pages you view for special “keywords or phrases” and may highlight or underline them. If you click on these highlighted or underlined word(s), you are taken to a website that has paid the Scumware software creator for your visit.

Adware (Advertising Supported SoftWare) inundates you with intrusive advertising usually in the form of popups or popunders and can also spy on you. It can change your browser’s home page, add links in your Favorites area and even direct your browser to other websites while you are actually trying to go somewhere else.

Keyloggers are stealth programs that log your keystrokes without your knowledge and send this keystroke data to the perpetrator. The perpetrators are usually evildoers after usernames, passwords or credit card numbers. Keyloggers are commonly installed on your computer at the time of virus infection.

Malware (MALicous softWARE) alters your computer’s configuration or system files in some way. It can change your browser security settings and create entries in your Windows Registry. Malware accounts for many operating system crashes. The line between Malware and viruses is sometimes blurred.

At best, Spyware is an annoyance. At worst, Spyware can cause a severe security risk.

How Does Spyware End Up On Your Computer

Spyware is usually bundled with free software, especially those poplar file swapping programs.

Forms of Spyware can also end up on your computer just by surfing the web and visiting malicious websites with low browser security settings.  In this method, the Spyware application is downloaded and installed on your computer without your knowledge.


 

Is Spyware Legal

Believe it or not, most spyware programs ARE legal. Before you install a software package bundled with Spyware you must accept some type of license agreement indemnifying the creator of the software from any liability. Details about the Spyware program(s) is usually hidden deep within this highly legal wording.

 

 

How To Scan For Spyware And Remove It

Spybot Search & Destroy, created by Patrick Kolla, won the PC Magazine's Editor's Choice Award for effective Spyware removal.  This software can be downloaded free of charge http://www.download.com (perform a search for "Spybot").  Spybot will scan your computer and allow you to remove hidden Spyware on your system.  We suggest an update to the software before you attempt a scan.  Spybot will scan your computer and allow you to remove hidden Spyware on your system.

Lavasoft USA has another great product available called Ad-Aware that will also scan and remove Spyware from your computer.  Ad-Aware can be downloaded for free at http://www.lavasoftusa.com.  We suggest an update to the software before you attempt a scan.

Either of these programs will scan and remove Spyware:

- Active in memory
- In Windows startup
- From files on your hard drive
- Inside the Windows Registry

Warning: Some creators of freebie software actually integrate the Spyware into their software in such a way that when you remove the Spyware it renders the freebie software useless.  Use your judgment.

You will likely notice a speed increase in your computer and Internet connection when you remove Spyware parasites from your system.  This is due to the processing power and bandwidth needed to transmit your surfing habits or other personal information to the database maintained by the creator of the Spyware application.

Note:  There have been reports of not being able to surf the web after removal of some harmful Sypware applications due to the way these parasites attached themselves to Windows.  This LPSFix.exe repair tool located at http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm usually fixes this problem.  You may wish to download it before any of the above Spyware removal tools to have it on hand in case you experience this problem.

 


 How To Avoid Installing Spyware In The Future


- Run Spyware removal software frequently! Always click the Update Link in the software before you initiate a scan so you are using the latest data files.

- Install a good firewall program. A firewall will not only keep hackers out, but will alert you when suspicious programs (Spyware) attempt to send information from your computer. Spyware cannot function properly without sending your personal data.

- Don’t download and install software from shady websites.

- Don’t click on any popup screens that ask you to click the Yes or OK button. Instead, click the normal X at the top-left of the blue bar to close that popup. If you click these buttons, you may allow the installation of software on your computer. Some websites actually trick people into installing Spyware using this tactic.

- Spychecker.com maintains a database of software known to contain Spyware. You can search their website before downloading software. Updates are daily, and at this point they only list Windows software.

- Read the license agreement before installing any software to see if your personal information will be collected and transmitted.

- Keep your browser’s security setting too at least Medium if not Medium High. Please refer to the help area for the browser you use.

 

Other spyware resources and information

Here are sites that provide helpful information about spyware:

· http://www.cexx.org
· http://www.spychecker.com

 

Internet Security Information
Home |  Anti-Virus Software  |  Windows Security Updates |  Spyware Removal
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Winsock (LPS) Fix Tool

** There have been reports of not being able to surf the web after removal of some harmful Sypware applications due to the way these parasites attached themselves to Windows.  Symptoms include a good Internet connection and the ability to ping IPs and web addresses, yet not being able to surf the web.  Below are links to download an "LPS" or winsock repair tool that will correct this problem.  To verify this is the problem you may try restoring the Spyware that your removal software removed.