- The average computer is packed with hidden software that
can secretly spy on online habits, a study has found.
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- The US net provider EarthLink said it uncovered an average
of 28 spyware programs on each PC scanned during the first three months
of the year.
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- Spyware is a broad term for programs that hide on a person's
computer without their knowledge.
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- It has become so pervasive that lawmakers in the US are
looking into ways to prevent or regulate it.
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- Hidden away
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- The Spy Audit by EarthLink reflects the results of scans
involving over one million computers between January and March.
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- It uncovered more than 29.5 million examples of spyware.
These are parasite programs sometimes come attached to software downloaded
from the web.
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- The details are often included in the license agreement
small print that most users click through without reading.
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- But sometimes they do not even need your permission to
download, but just bury themselves on a hard drive as you browse the net.
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- With the exception of pop-up ads or a slower computer,
people may not notice anything different when spyware programs are present,
say experts.
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- Insidious software
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- EarthLink said the most common type of spyware it found
was adware. These are programs that display ads on an infected computer
and also send data about surfing habits.
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- But it also found examples of more insidious spyware.
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- "While most spyware is adware-related and relatively
benign, it's disturbing that over 300,000 of the more serious system monitors
and Trojans were uncovered," said Matt Cobb of EarthLink.
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- "This figure represents how real a threat identity
theft or system corruption is for users."
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- System monitors can surreptitiously watch what you do,
steal personal information and despatch it across the web, while Trojans
can allow malicious hackers to get access to a computer and steal information.
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- "By tracking and publicising the growth of spyware,
we can better educate consumers of its risks and encourage them to take
steps to protect themselves and their families while online," said
Christine Stevenson of Webroot, which conducted the scans.
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- People concerned about what might be lurking on their
machine can download software such as the popular SpyBot to disinfect their
computer.
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- © BBC MMIV http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3633167.stm
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- Comment
- From Anonymous
- 4-18-4
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- Although I had been running SpyBot, Adaware, as well
as a major antivirus defender - plus a firewall - my computer began to
be increasingly infected with something that was using over 90% of my available
RAM, making it nearly impossible for me to work due to "lag"
and nonresponsiveness.
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- I ran Symantec's new download, which can be found here.
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- http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.hllw.nebiwo.removal.tool.html
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- It located (and deleted) 133 infected infected files,
many of which were "backdoor" trojans that had programmed themselves
inside my computer to switch on at computer start-up. How they made it
by in spite of my running protection 24/7 is anyone's guess.
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