Arts & Entertainment

Be aware, "just say no" to risky spyware

By Michael Twigg
The Daily Cougar

Everyone enjoys downloading music, hitting Web sites and seeing giant neon "free software" and "free music" signs. Has anyone ever really read the disclaimers for programs like Kazaa? Or those listed by Microsoft? The likelihood is low that anyone pays attention. Companies and hackers are counting on short attention spans, an uniformed public and a lot of lengthy legal mumbo-jumbo.

So whatis the problem with a user allowing a large company some statistical information in exchange for software or access other companies charge big dollars for? The problem is the information they are gathering, whom they are selling it to and the fact that getting the information gathering software -- called spyware -- off your system is next to impossible. 

Spyware programs run in the background, allowing companies to offer free service in exchange for information. Although legal, spyware is just a new kind of back door into your computer.

Ever wonder why Internet connection speeds get slower, or your system isnit running as well as it was? Why your PC crashes every time you open Internet Explorer? It could be that your system is silently running operations for some big corporation, or your systems have been hijacked by rogue companies loading files during startup.

Another big problem is how poorly written these programs are. They can cause system errors, system lag and crashes. If the offending company is overseas, or a deviant hacker organization, your system might be overrun with child pornography, advertisements. When someone other than yourself gains control of your system, the problems never seem to stop.

Most peer-to-peer services and programs can be hacked to turn off spyware and other exploitative features. Most anti-virus software recognizes the files loaded by these programs and can offer a user the ability to cleanse their system. Other companies like Lavasoft, makers of Adaware (<I>adaware.com<P>), and opt-out (grc.com/optout.htm) have specifically engineered software to monitor your system, warn of intrusion and scrub the infection clean.

Overall, the best protection is a combination of a piece of hardware called a router, ad-protection software and a good firewall. Firewalls block packets of your information from going to the wrong person; ad protection keeps anything from loading up without your permission. Almost every program has a version that you can find that has been cleaned by a nice hacker who knows your pain. 

Be safe, be prepared and just say no to spyware.

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