Cracking Down on Spyware

Do you know what your computer is doing while you are away? You may be amazed at all of the things that your computer can pick up on a daily basis. First came viruses, and that was a huge threat for many years. We heard about such infections as the Love Bug virus, Doomsday virus, and many more. Most of these could do serious damage to your system. Today, one of the biggest threats to your computer...

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Remote Deployment of Surveillance Spyware Software

Mitch Johnson

Contrary to popular belief computer users are at a great risk of being invaded by spyware and other surveillance software from remote areas. Normally, people were unconcerned with surveillance software because it was assumed it could only be installed with physical access. Several surveillance software and spyware providers are now advertising remote deployment software that can be installed from any computer anywhere and the information collected from the subject is sent back to the intruder’s computer.

Spyware or surveillance software can easily be slipped into someone’s computer through and email attachment, greeting card or simply by visiting a web site. Instead of destroying a computer’s hardware as do Trojans and viruses, surveillance software works silently through the computer to gather personal information to send to a third party. Many users have thought in the past that such software could not be installed without physical access but remote deployment spyware is on the rise.

Remote deployment of surveillance software through email works by sending an attachment that often looks like a screen saver and once it is opened the user is immediately infected. Surveillance software is remotely deployed through web sites by the browser displaying a message and if the user accepts, the ActiveX control is activated which contains spyware. Snoops also send surveillance software through greeting cards. The intruder sends an e-card and when the user views the card they are inadvertently infected with spyware.

These methods of remotely installing spyware onto someone’s computer work well because users are unaware that the installation is possible without physical access. Firewalls, anti-virus and adware scanners are incapable of detecting and removing these surveillance applications. To rid your computer of the spyware you must download a tool designed specifically for detecting and removing surveillance software.

About the author: Mitch Johnson is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for http://www.1st-in-remove-spyware.com/ , a site that focuses primarily on spyware detection software, as well as tips on how to avoid spyware from popping up on your computer. His articles have also been featured on related spyware sites such as, http://www.best-in-spyware-detection.com/ as well as http://www.best-sypware-removal-reviews.com/


Detect Key Logger, Identity Theft Spyware

To detect key logger spyware, you need to know what it is and how it works. Key logger is an invisible software program that identity thieves can use to track your online activity. It is almost impossible to detect key logger on your computer and even if you're careful you'll never know if it is recording information such as bank account passwords and credit card numbers. You won't even see your machine slow down or see anything unusual. It just silently watches every keystroke you type in as if the identity thieves were standing over your shoulder. At...

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The latest information and news on Spywaredude:

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'WSJ' calls Microsoft antivirus tool 'spyware' (CNET)
In what appears to be just a bad headline, the business publication says that Microsoft plans to introduce spyware. (It's actually planning free antivirus software)
Court Slams Door On Sale of Spyware (Slashdot)
coondoggie writes "The Federal Trade Commission yesterday had a US District Court issue a temporary restraining order halting the sale of RemoteSpy keylogger spyware. According to the FTC's complaint, RemoteSpy spyware was sold to clients who would then secretly monitor unsuspecting consumers' computers. The defendants provided RemoteSpy clients with detailed instructions explaining how to ...
WOT Releases Extended Protection for Web-Based Email Users (PRWeb)
WOT, Web of Trust, extends the security protection of its popular browser add-on to the top three Internet-based email services -- Google Gmail, Windows Live Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail. WOT checks links embedded in email and warns users of dangerous websites to help them avoid spyware, spam, phishing, identity theft and other Internet fraud, before they risk clicking. (PRWeb Nov 21, 2008) Read ...
Phisher-besieged PayPal sends users faux log-in page (The Register)
Error.com's missed opportunity PayPal, the online payment service that is a major target of phishers, has been caught sending customer emails that confuse its own login page with a third-party landing site that offers spyware protection and a bevy of other products.?
WOT Releases Extended Protection for Web-Based Email Users (PRWeb via Yahoo! ...
WOT, Web of Trust, extends the security protection of its popular browser add-on to the top three Internet-based email services -- Google Gmail, Windows Live Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail. WOT checks links embedded in email and warns users of dangerous websites to help them avoid spyware, spam, phishing, identity theft and other Internet fraud, before they risk clicking.
FTC get CyberSpy?s RemoteSpy banned in the U.S. (Geek.com)
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been successful in its bid to get the RemoteSpy spyware application released by CyberSpy Software banned in the U.S. For now the ban is temporary, but the FTC are pushing to make it permanent. The ban stems from a complaint (PDF) lodged by the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) back [...]
Microsoft to offer free anti-virus software (The Manila Times)
Microsoft has announced plans to offer free anti-virus software to PC users starting next year. The Redmond, Washington-based software giant said the software, code-named "Morro," will "provide comprehensive protection from malware including viruses, spyware, rootkits and trojans."
Commercial vendor of spyware under legal fire (ZDNet)
Just like every decent marketer out there, vendors of commercial malware tools are very good at positioning their tools. However, their pitches often contradict with themselves in a way that what's promoted as a Remote Administration Tool, has in fact built-in antivirus software evading capabilities, rootkit functionality and tutorials on...
Microsoft Will Replace OneCare with Security Software (NewsFactor via Yahoo! ...
Microsoft plans to stop accepting paid subscriptions to Windows Live OneCare in mid-2009. The security software is slated to be replaced by a free offering code-named Morro, which will focus on providing consumer PCs with core protection from viruses, spyware, rootkits, trojans and other forms of malware.
Week in review: Yahoo to replace Yang (CNET)
Search giant searches for new CEO, while Microsoft takes its security strategy in a new direction. Also: Sing along with DRM.

How To Use Spyware Elimination Software

Spyware elimination software is designed to detect and eliminate spyware. A large number of spyware elimination software products are available. Some of them are available as freeware and some as shareware. Shareware can be used for a specified period, usually 30 days. One must evaluate and compare the features of different spyware elimination software products before selecting one. Some of the features of an effective spyware elimination software product are: * It should give a list of detected spyware, to enable users to allow them to decide, about which ones they want to delete....

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