Spyware

[philip_stevens]

I have noticed that in the past few days, IPC are carrying Doubleclick spyware into the computer - the one with Renault, change of scenery. This isn't on.

I have a program, Ad-Aware that cleans all spyware out of my computer at all times, and it keeps coming up with http://a947.g.aka etc. Normally these cannot get into my computer as I have a Firewall, so I am not impressed that IPC are carrying this one in.

I am not impressed. Once this is in, what next?? I would be grateful if it was stopped.

regards,
Philip

 

[lyc]

I have downloaded Ad-Aware from cnet.com today and was very surprised to see the amount of Spyware installed onto my computer, I often clearout the cookies but had no idea of the programs installed onto the hard drive and into the registry without my knowledge.
Too much time on the water and not enough on the computer!
Thankyou Philip

 

[Guest]

How do I get a copy of this programme Philip?

 

[byron]

get it from www.freewarepro.com while your there get a free copy of pop up stopper too.

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www.education-jobs.co.uk
www.alexander-advertising.co.uk

 

[philip_stevens]

John, I hope these sites are of use to you.

Two freeware pop-up killers. One is POW! from AnalogX, and the other is PopUp Killer from xFX JumpStart.

http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/pow.htm - small, quick download

http://software.xfx.net/utilities/popupkiller/download.htm - large, longer download (2.75MB)
This one appears to be better, as it sits with its icon next to the clock. It has killed the pop-up on this site!!


Ad-Aware 5.5. - run this separately or install in boot-up

http://download.cnet.com/downloads/0-10106-108-63806.html?tag=st.cu.cu_res.lst.63806



Firewall, ZoneAlarm

www.zonelabs.com - look for the free version.


AntiVirus, AVG

www.grisoft.com - look for the free version.

regards,
Philip

 

[Guest]

What is Spyware?

I know this isn't a computer forum, but could any of you tell me what spyware is and is it sinister?

 

[philip_stevens]

Re: What is Spyware?

Although I started this thread off, I won't try to explain what Spyware is. I was told about it by a colleague, and given the sites to download the software. I'll email him and see if he can explain it - or leave it to a computer buff on this forum.

Sorry it isn't marine related, but I thought others might like the info to keep their computers "clean". And this site gets to a lot of responsible computer users.

Could someone come in on this??

regards,
Philip. Konsort KT528

 

[byron]

Re: What is Spyware?

Although I have the software I haven't toyed with it yet. I will however counsel you a warning. DO NOT DELETE OR MAKE ANY CHANGES TO YOUR REGISTRY unless the are competant to do so. The registry is the spinal cord of your PC and tampering with it can paralyse your PC. Do not rely on this Spyware program to do so either as it may see something which it considers illegal which may be called upon by other software on your computer that isn't running at that particular time. LEAVE WELL ALONE


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www.education-jobs.co.uk
www.alexander-advertising.co.uk

 

[Guest]

Re: What is Spyware?

Ad-aware is a program that looks through various files and the regsitry to detect where Advert software and other infiltrators lurk ...... example is free software that has sponsors banners inserted to cover the cost of providing the s/ware for free. Remove or alter the banners etc. and you could end up with a re-installation job - I know I did it and wished I hadn't.

I still have the Ad-aware s/ware and will use it with discretion, but the banners etc. that pop-up from this forum are not that often and I accept them grudgingly as a part of surfing ! Much as I don't like them - but thats life !

The one actually to watch for, and I believe it has been now been removed from circulation .... is Microsofts little program that looks for registry and legal / pirate software. We were sent a 'Company' disk to interrogate all company computers + any personal PC's that were used by staff on the network .... it turned out to be supplied by MS and interrogated every single entry on the PC - then wrote a text file back to the floppy disk it was supplied on. This disk had to be copied for each PC in the office BEFORE use and then sealed and sent back to head-office AFTER use. I am a curious chap and looked at the disk a bit closer than most and found the text file, logged it, deleted it, sealed the disk and sent it back with my compliments !!!! I also informed my line managers what it was and advised them how to do the same. The company then recalled all disks and destroyed them - MS was then advised that they would not entertain such tactics again !!!!

Of course I would deny this anywhere else !!!!!!!!

 

[lezgar]

microsoft little program

do you know the name of the microsoft little program?

 

[philip_stevens]

Re: What is Spyware?

Jonah,
I think Nigel has explained it quite fully, but I did get a reply from my computer programmer friend in Aussie, and this is what he has to say.

Message:-
Yes there is a website that describes it real well. Steve Gibson's web page is the name.

http://www.grc.com is the site you can tell them to look at in relation to full technical and correct explanations of spyware and what who and why it is used.

Basically what spyware (Gator, NetZip, Webaccelerator, Web3000, Getrite) have files and entries to your computer that report back to the authors your internet travels such as where you go, how often and from where you came.

It also can slow your internet connection if you have a number of things net related happening at once.

Hope that helps.
Message ends.

I have installed PopUp Killer, and it does remove the popup every time it appears. It has also sorted itself out with the registry with no problems.




regards,
Philip

 

[Guest]

Re: microsoft little program

There is no name ..... it is given to companies to use to interrogate their own machines for illegal / pirate software. In our case it was a 'harmless' looking floppy-disk without label.

It is NOT as far as I know distributed via outlets / shops etc. But maybe I'm a little paranoid here - it would not be hard to run it across many machines while you are surfing !!!!! I use a firewal provided by Zonealarm now and that stops unauthorised access !!!!

 

[johndf]

Re: microsoft little program

I had heard that if you log on to any Microsoft site, a similar programme checks out your hard disc for unregistered copies of their software. Is this true?

 

[charles_reed]

Re: microsoft\'s little Tactics

No it's not true - but they have now got XP set up in such a manner that if there's any change in your hardware the OS won't boot and you have to contact Support to rectify the problem - best use Linux and pit two fingers up to Bill Gates

 

[lezgar]

Re: microsoft little program

thanks for your reply

Do you know a little program (7.54 Kb) called "MICROSOFT QMgr" ?

 

[johndf]

Wish I could, but we are 100% Msoft at work (NM)

No message

 

[byron]

Re: microsoft little program

MICROSOFT QMgr is a little Trojan which works with MSN Messenger basically I think it just lets other MSN users know when you are on-line. Bit like a similar function that is available in ICQ. Not being a MSN user, I use ICQ I cannot tell you if you can turn this function on and off, you can with ICQ. I wouldn't worry too much about it although removing it may possibly affect other MSN functions - for that reason it is best left alone.

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www.education-jobs.co.uk
www.alexander-advertising.co.uk

 

[Stemar]

I, for one, regard the allegation that IPC is contaminating our computers without our consent as very serious. Would our illustrious WebMaster care to comment ?

Should such a thing be haqppening, and it caused any upset to our systems, I am pretty sure it would amount to criminal damage. Personnally, I would not hesitate to take legal advice with a view to seeking damages and/or a criminal conviction if so.

Even if it is "benign" I won't be logging in again if it is confirmed and no undertaking is given that it will cease forthwith.

 

[byron]

HUGE SIGH!
IPC isn't contaminating anyone's computer with anything. You use the site of your own free will, they have a perfect right to sell adverts on it, I mean how else are they going to pay Kim's £250,000pa salary? They will of course be running several background programs to ascertain how many people log in, when, what type of PC they use, times, length of stay and loads of other information. This is quite in order because they need to know this information as prospective advertisers will want to know. This is all standard stuff on any professionally run website I promise you. As regards looking at the contents of your hard drive or anything sinister that is ridiculous.

ô¿ô
www.education-jobs.co.uk
www.alexander-advertising.co.uk

 

[Guest]

Byron,

You're basically right, but I'm sure that this same subject reared its ugly head about six months ago, and the reaction from forum members was similar then - shocked when explained in simple terms the power of double-click type banner ads.

If I remember correctly, our hosts at YBW/IPC gave assurances that in future no such technical skulduggery would be used on this site.

Your call, YBW.