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This document applies to computers
with Microsoft Windows 98, Me, XP and
an Internet connection.
This document explains the differences
between spyware, adware, and hijacking
software. It helps resolve problems
that can be caused by these types
of software. Some indications that
your computer may contain spyware
are:
- Poor system performance, especially
while browsing the Internet.
- The computer stops responding
more frequently.
- Computer takes longer to open
the Windows desktop.
- Browser closes unexpectedly
or stops responding.
- Performing a search from a search
page provides results on a different
site.
- Clicking a link does nothing
or goes to a non-related Web site.
- Browser home page changes and
may not be able to be reset.
- Pop-up advertising windows appear
when the browser is not open or
over Web pages that do not normally
have pop-ups.
- Additional toolbars are added
to the browser.
- Web pages are automatically
added to list of favorites.
- Desktop icons are automatically
added to the desktop.
NOTE: This document
is not about viruses or security
vulnerabilities. A virus may actually
provide an opening that allows someone
to insert Spyware onto your computer,
but this is not discussed further
in this document. For information
about viruses and security vulnerabilities,
see Resolving
and Preventing Viruses on Your Computer
.
CAUTION: Be wary
when installing software distributed
as no-cost. The cost of installing
the software may be slower Internet
connection times, annoying pop-up
ads, or even an increase in unwanted
e-mails (spam).
Defining spyware, adware, and browser
hijacking software
There are many types of software related
to advertising and aggressive marketing.
The types of advertising software
vary, but are generally the following:
- Adware - Software
that supports itself or another
program by displaying ads while
you are connected to the Internet.
Most adware programs track how
you browse the Internet and report
the information to an interested
party.
- Spyware - Software
that gathers and transmits information
without one's knowledge. Spyware
programs usually track information
about the Web sites visited, browser
and system information, and your
computer IP address (the number
that represents a network device
on the Internet).
- Browser hijacking software
- Aggressive advertising software
programs that change the settings
of your browser without your knowledge.
These can be very annoying and
may appear as a virus at first
(slow Internet connection and
lots of network activity). Typical
changes from hijacking software
are: the browser's home page address,
search bars, tool bars, the creation
of desktop shortcuts, and intermittent
advertising pop-ups. Once a browser
is hijacked it may also redirect
links to other sites that advertise
or collect your usage information.
Preventing and removing unwanted ads
and marketing material
The following steps help you find
unwanted adware and spyware, and remove
or disable them:
Preventing adware
To prevent adware from being installed
on your system, purchase and use
full versions of software that are
not supported by advertising. If
you want to download and use software
that claims to be free, carefully
read the license agreement and cancel
the installation if there is something
that you do not understand or agree
to. Know the software before you
install it.
Preventing spyware and hijacking
software
Normally, spyware and hijacking
software are installed when you
"consent" to a security
warning window that appears over
a Web page. The Security Warning
window contains the following similar
text:
Do
you want to install and run <name
of free program that may contain
spyware>. Signed on <date
and time> by <name of software
vendor or advertiser>.
By clicking yes on a malicious Security
Warning screen, a script or control
is integrated into the browsing
system. The script or control changes
the behavior of your Web browser
to suit the needs of the aggressive
advertiser.
To prevent this from happening,
never click Yes on Security Warning
windows that appear with Web pages
that you don't trust. Close these
windows by clicking No
or pressing the Alt
and F4
keys together at the same time.
Removing adware, spyware, and hijacking
software
You can manually remove most non-aggressive
adware by uninstalling the software
that it came with or removing the
adware itself using Windows Add/Remove
programs.
Aggressive spyware and browser hijacking
software can be extremely difficult
to remove. Do not attempt to remove
these kinds of software without
the aid of spyware removal software.
One example of spy removing software
that you can use is SpySubtract.
Use SpySubtract to scan and remove
adware, spyware, and hijackers as
follows:
- Download and install a trial
version of SpySubtract from
the SpySubtract
download site .
- Open SpySubtract and perform
a full scan by clicking the
Scan icon and
following the directions in
the windows that appear.
- Click Delete
to remove all of the selected
spyware from your computer.
If you would like to know
more information about an
item before deleting it, click
the SpySleuth
button.
- After all of the spyware has
been removed, browse the Internet.
The symptoms of having spyware
should go away when connected.
- If you like the trial version
of SpySubtract, you can upgrade
to the full version from Intermute's
full version download site
Related support
Microsoft
Spyware and Deceptive Software Web
site. |
