Spyware

Keep Spies at Bay

You just found a great file-sharing service and downloaded the free software easily. With this service, you’re not only filling up your MP3 player with songs and albums, you’re also finding games, screen savers, and movies.

But soon you see a lot of advertising pop-ups—LOTS of them, most for stuff you’d never consider buying. And your computer goes slower, and slower. Sometimes it even seems like your Web browser just doesn’t work. Maybe that “free” file-sharing software might not have been free after all.

Chances are, it came with spyware, software that is loaded into your computer without your knowledge and almost always with a negative consequence. Is this real? It is, and it’s everywhere—experts estimate as many as 80 percent of all home computers have spyware somewhere in them. Spyware is not the same as a virus—software that replicates itself and spreads itself to other PCs—nor adware, which launches banner or pop-up advertising on your computer (even without an Internet connection). It is also not the same as cookies, which are a simple line of text, not an executable program.

As the term “spyware” suggests, it can send information about you—and how you use the computer—to someone else. It does this by using your Internet connection without you knowing it. Information it sends away can include Web sites you visit, what you buy online, who you send e-mail or instant messages to, and more.

When 'Free' Can Be Costly

Where does spyware come from? Typical sources are free software downloads, certain Web sites, clicking on pop-up ads, file transfers over instant messaging, or e-mail attachments. Obviously, not all downloads, online ads or sites will carry spyware, but sometimes the most dangerous ones seem most enticing.

Spyware currently is not illegal, but that doesn’t mean it’s OK. And if it’s not OK, you don’t have to let it happen. Just like in real life, you can make yourself safer online by being smart. Here are a few simple steps to help keep spyware from getting a grip on your PC:

• Install anti-spyware software. There are several sources of software that do a good job of protecting your system against software-see the Toolbox article, "How to Protect Your Computer from Spyware and Adware", for examples. It doesn't hurt to use more than one anti-spyware program-one of them may spot some spyware that others don't recognize.
• Be wary of "free" software. Get your downloads only from sites you know you can trust. And downloads you pay for are much less likely to have spyware tagging along, so consider buying the program you want instead of downloading the free version.
• Read the fine print. Most legitimate software comes with an "end user licensing agreement" (EULA), a document that spells out what you're really getting into by installing the program. If something in it sounds fishy, best to click the "I Don't Agree" button and move on.
• Think before opening file attachments. If you're not absolutely sure you can trust the source of the attachment, don't open it.
• Punch out the pop-ups. You might get rid of a pop-up ad by clicking the "OK" box, but you also might be agreeing to something you don't want to agree to. Get rid of pop-ups by clicking the "X" in the corner.

The Web is a great source of fun, information and time-saving technology. With a little common sense and some simple precautions, you can take full advantage of it safely and enjoyably.