Scumware, Adware, Spyware, Worms and Trojans:
You only have to innocently surf the internet these days to become infected with hundreds of rogue cookies and small pieces of software known as Adware, Scumware or Spyware. These items, once on your system, have the power to spy on your every movement and report back to the Spammer, Advertiser or Phreaquer, with just about any information they need. They can display popups to you, slow your machine down, and in extreme cases cause your machine to crash repeatedly. They can get your passwords through KeyStroke capture, get your Credit Card information, or worse...your BANK ACCOUNT info! Most WORMS and TROJANS are type of Viruses and are detectable by Anti-Virus programs. But Spyware, Scumware and Adware isnt. Once these get on your system, your PC is an open book. Cookies are a type of Spyware as they are designed to report back to the company who inflicted it on you with things like the websites you frequent, the types of products or services your interested in, and how much money you spend online. YOU are their demographic! And they use this information to devise new marketing strategies!
There is no need anymore to put up with this activity! All PC users, and I do mean all PC users, should download and install SPYBOT SEARCH & DESTROY as soon as possible. This software is FREE and will scan your whole system and remove all offending items. You will be surprised how many bad files are on your system and in your windows registry (yes, they can even be in there just letting everyone know what youre doing!) You can download this useful utility here at http://www.safernetworking.org or take a chance without it...thats entirely up to YOU!
Although Spybot search and destroy is FREE software and even the online updates are FREE, there is an option to make a donation to the author. I recommend that you do make a donation if you can, because the future development of this software will be very valuable to all who use it.
Now the BEST way to stop this type of SPAM is with a Router. A good 1 port Ethernet Router usually costs around $50 but there is Free software that has been developed by Gibson Reasearch, a website leading the campaign to stop this form of SPAM, to stop these messages from getting to your system You can download it by clicking on the link link below. Its called "Shoot the Messenger" and its very easy to use! Now alot of Software Firewall programs are out, but they wont stop this particular form of spam since it uses the SHTTP port to allow the spammer to use your own Windows Messenger. a Router is always the best hardware solution. But this freeware program is a good alternative and works under all versions of Windows! Check out their other great utils at www.grc.com Specifically "UnPlug n Pray and The DeCOMbobulator" You wont be dissapointed!
