On The Net - Computing News

with Chris Goh

We've covered viruses and SPAM in great detail in the past, but something that has grown in its impact and occurrences is that of Spyware. The most notorious are those distributed by Gator, now called Claria, in what appear to be legitimate applications. However there is a growing trend of Spyware out there that requires diligence and even regular pattern updates like viruses to remove and identify them properly.

The most common forms of Spyware are in the form of Cookies and Java Applets, but due to security restrictions in how they are used they have limited impact on your system. Blocking cookies can prove to be impractical if you do a lot of online business or interaction because many legitimate organisations use it to assist you in doing online transactions and personalisation. Java Applets on the other hand can be more damaging. Virus checkers from Norton, Mcafee and Trend all regularly update their pattern file to block and remove malicious Java Applets.

The real toughies are those that run like a normal program on your PC and as such your virus software will not detect it and these are more dangerous than viruses.

Why? Because there are Spyware that collects information on the keys you type (keyloggers), that would in the course of a day collect passwords, credit card details etc, and you don't even have to be online. They can collect information whilst your PC is offline, and the next time you surf the web, send on your sensitive data to a observer. Many jam your Internet Explorer history list and continually point your web page to their site or an adserver site where they can collect revenue.

If your Internet browser suddenly stops being able to browse the web but the rest of your PC and even Email works it is likely a piece of Spyware has successfully been installed on your PC. How do you contract Spyware? Unfortunately now in many ways. Many banner ads in various sites are the first step in contracting them. They often popup with something that says you require some plugin in order to visit the site, or you need to register using a special program, and before you know it, the Spyware is on your PC with all your personal details at risk. Even more malicious have been Spyware authors, which download a legitimate piece of software like Netscape, repackage it to include the Spyware and upload it again onto the Internet waiting for an unsuspecting person to download it. As you go through the standard install process it asks you whether you want to install particular components. Convinced it's part of the overall package you install it and you're then infected. Many people have encountered Spyware when downloading packages for online games, or toolbars that are supposedly designed to make you search the web faster. The latest survey conducted by CNET in the US says that 90% of all PC's that have Internet access have some form of Spyware infection. So I would highly recommend that you have a look at the hotlinks this week to learn how to make sure you're no longer a victim.

HotNews

Apple has released the new Airport Express with support for Microsoft Operating Systems. Airport Express allows a number of Wireless computers to share one Internet connection. With a 43% increase in worldwide sales of Wireless computing products from last year, sales are going to continue increasing.

Speaking of Wireless, McDonalds in the US have joined with Wireless provider Freedom Link to provide diners who subscribe to Freedom with free wireless Internet Access. It's a move that will see 6,000 US stores fitted with Wireless hubs and broadband connections.

If you're an Australian IT professional, you're in the top 10 IT earners in the world with Switzerland leading the paycheck. The bad news is as you go up the management chain of IT, the less they get compared to the rest of the world. But if you're a fresh Uni graduate that gets a job, you're a rich kid.

HotSites

www.webroot.com

Spy Sweeper is the best PC Spyware remover out there without a doubt and there are regular pattern updates (though you have to subscribe to get those) that keep you up to date. It's free to download and you get the latest pattern file with it, and I highly recommend that if you have Internet Access, download this.

www.safer-networking.org & www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware

Spybot comes a close second and Adaware gets a bronze. Each one of these tools is free to use but I highly recommend that you support these folks in keeping down the Spyware threat.

www.australiancoffee.com

Something different, but important, this excellent Coffee Portal is run and managed right here in the Northern Rivers. It's a business and product portal for all would be coffee lovers and has up to date links and is well managed.