What does Spyware/Malware specifically do to my
computer?
Malware will perform a variety of nasty activities,
ranging from simple email advertising all the way to
complex identity-theft and password-stealing. New nasty
functions are created every week by malware programmers,
but the most common malware functions are:
Malware steals your personal information and address
book (identity theft and keystroke-logging).
- Malware floods your
browser with pop-up advertising.
- Malware spams your
inbox with advertising email.
- Malware slows down
your connection.
- Malware hijacks your
browser and redirects you to an advertising or a phishing-con
web page.
- Malware uses your
computer as a secret server to broadcast pornography
files.
- Malware slows down
or crashes your computer.
- Where does Spyware/Malware
come from?
Spyware/malware programs are authored by clever programmers,
and then delivered to your computer through covert Internet
installs. Usually, malware will piggyback on innocent-looking  web
page components and otherwise-benign software such as
game demos, MP3 players, search toolbars, software,
free subscriptions, and other things you download from
the web. Subscribing to online services is especially
bad for getting malware. In particular, whenever you
sign up for a so-called "free" service or
install new software, you must accept an "end user
license agreement" (EULA). The fine print of the
EULA will often include the phrase "the vendor
is allowed to install third-party software on your computer".
Since most users don't bother to read this EULA fine
print, they naively click "accept", and install
malware out of sheer ignorance.
What kind of personal information does Spyware/Malware
steal?
This varies from the non-confidential to the extremely-personal.
The malware may simply steal a listing of your MP3s
or recent website visits. Malware may also harvest your
email address book. At its very worst, malware will
steal your banking PIN, your eBay login, and your Paypal
information (aka "keystroke logging" identity
theft). Yes, spyware/malware is a very serious Internet
problem that threatens everyone's personal privacy,
and network administrators everywhere are deeply concerned.
How do I remove Spyware?
Don't attemt to, Call CSI. Many times people attempt
to download programs that remove registry keys and delete
files from system directories. Not only does this many
times cause greater problems, but many times it crashes
your system. CSI is trained to remove spyware, safely
and securly. |
