29.5 million examples of spyware

17 April 2004 · 1 comment

This month so far I’ve received well over 300 emails with viruses or notices about viruses so the following information about our Windows-using friends and colleagues comes as no surprise. The US net provider EarthLink scanned over one million computers between January and March and uncovered more than 29.5 million examples of spyware. EarthLink said [...]

This month so far I’ve received well over 300 emails with viruses or notices about viruses so the following information about our Windows-using friends and colleagues comes as no surprise.

The US net provider EarthLink scanned over one million computers between January and March and uncovered more than 29.5 million examples of spyware. EarthLink said the most common type of spyware it found was adware. It also found system monitors which can surreptitiously watch what you do, steal personal information and despatch it across the web, and Trojans which can allow malicious hackers to get access to a computer and steal information. [Via BBC Tech News]

I maintain a website hosted on a Microsoft Content Management System 2002. This software is not only unbelievably slow, clunky and the creator of atrocious code, but forces me to use Internet Explorer under Windows to edit pages. For this reason I daily use Windows XP Pro under Virtual PC 6 and have joined the ranks of those needing to install Windows Updates and to be wary of viruses and spyware.

Apart from occasional checks of websites I create or seeing how iTunes looks under Windows I don’t actually use Windows for anything else. But given that using Windows is like swimming in a pool full of piranhas and sharks it’s as well to take precautions. TechTV recommends SpyBot Search and Destroy so I have that installed and on watch. I also have GriSoft’s free antivirus product keeping an eye out for viruses. Both were quick and easy to download and install.

I just wish that people who choose to use Windows and use it as a matter of routine would make sure they aren’t sending me viruses and would make sure their computer isn’t sending out viruses which claim to come from my email address. I also speak on behalf of all my clients who are confused, alarmed and concerned to be told they have sent out a virus (when of course they haven’t).

1 comment

Tell us what you think.
Note: there may be a delay before your comment appears. I now approve all comments from new visitors, in an attempt to keep spam at bay.

spyware removal 07 January 2005 at 20:32 46

In adition to spybot its recomended to have ad aware installed on the system.

They find different parasites. Also it good to check up to date parasites

and use manual removal instructions on sources like:

http://www.kephyr.com – provides free spyware detection tool called bazooka. With its help you can remove parasites manually.

http://www.2-spyware.com – provides manual

and automatic removal of spyware, adware, worms, dialers, hijackers and other

parasites.

Reply

Add your Comment

Older Post:

Newer Post: