Signs That Spyware, Viruses, and More Have Breeched Your Online Privacy
To reiterate what frequently occurs after your computer has become infected with malicious, privacy intruding, software, here are a few sure fire indications that something malicious has gotten it’s way onto your computer.
- An unusually large number of pop-up advertisements often indicate that your computer is infected with adware.
- Odd system behaviour upon the execution of specific programs (typically Internet Explorer or computer security programs) is a sign that your computer might be infected with a Trojan that has embedded itself within those programs.
- Reports from email contacts and instant messenger contacts that they’ve received mysterious and questionable messages from your email address could mean that you’re infected with a virus or Trojan.
- Noticeable drops in system performance quite often indicate that there is an abundance of spyware running on your computer.
- Changes in system settings, internet configuration, and the deletion of documents can all be attributed to the many variants of malware.
- Abnormally long start up and shut down times are often caused from excessive amounts of spyware running on your computer.
If, for whatever reason, you feel that your online privacy might have been comprised by any of the aforementioned forms of malicious software, it’s time to take action. Running your antivirus and antispyware security programs will greatly assist in restoring your computer to normal, working order. If you are unfamiliar with, or do not have security programs installed on your computer, you’re in luck. The following section is all about which applications and methods I personally recommend to protect your online privacy.
Privacy Protecting Applications
I’ve compiled a list of trusted, efficient, and popular security software. I have either tested these applications myself or have seen them in action; all are very good at what they were meant to do. Remember, however, that while you may install as many antispyware scanners as you would like, it is recommended to use only one antivirus security suite and one firewall. I’d also like to point out that I am not being endorsed to “advertise” the following products. I sincerely recommend each and every one of these programs and we all owe the developers of these programs a round of applause for offering such wonderful software for free.
Antivirus
These Antivirus applications are available free of charge and do a wonderful job at not only keeping your computer virus free, but allowing the user to customize the settings to meet their individual needs.
AVG: http://www.grisoft.com/doc/Programs/lng/us/tpl/tpl01?prd=trisng
AVG antivirus operates smoothly and requires a moderate level of system resources. By automatically checking files and emails, one can maximize their computing experience without worrying about viruses.
Avast: http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
With a medley of features and uncontested configurability, Avast antivirus provides topnotch virus protection. With a unique background scanner, Avast is working to keep your computer virus free all the time. A personal favourite of mine, Avast antivirus is one of the best virus scanners and guards I have ever used.
ClamWin: http://www.clamwin.com/content/view/18/46/
ClamWin provides a level of virus and spyware detection that no other antivirus can compare to. Offering a few unique features, such as automatic deletion of virus infected email attachments; ClamWin is another favourite of mine.
The following Antivirus applications are designed to run through a web browser, scan your computer, detect viruses, and help remove them. I’ve used both online scans and have to admit that I am pretty impressed. These come in handy when a nasty infection has disabled your active antivirus program and going online is your last resort. Apart from my suggested weekly virus scan (with your installed antivirus software), I advise computer users to run an online virus scan at least once a month; better safe than sorry.
Panda Software: http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan.htm
Trend Micro: http://www.trendmicro.com/hc_intro/default.asp
Antispyware
When it comes to eliminating and protecting against spyware, these programs are the best of their class. Not only are they wonderful scanners, they are easy on system resources and are backed by an enthusiastic team of developers who are always improving their product’s detection methods. To be honesty, I have used all of these applications at least once in my life and have nothing to complain about.
Ad-Aware SE: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
Specializing in the removal of adware and spyware, Ad-Aware SE hunts down and removes a wide variety of malicious content. Being able to target malicious code and key logging applications that gather information on your browsing habits and history, Ad-Aware SE helps protect your online privacy.
Spybot Search & Destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/home/index.html
Masters in the removal of spyware and adware, Spybot Search & Destroy helps keep your computer clean and running smoothly. With a uniquely crafted advanced mode, users can monitor and manage a plethora of other settings and configurations that deal with the efficiency and stability of your Windows XP set up.
Ewido: http://www.ewido.net/en/download/
Ewido is another superb freeware spyware and malware scanner. With a few added features, such as being able to manage your start up list and current processes, Ewido is much more than just a scanner. What I really like about Ewido is that it often picks up traces of spyware and malware that the previous noted programs seemed to have missed. Whether this is attributed to a tougher scanning engine or a wider definitions file, Ewido is certainly worth trying out.
Windows Defender (also includes an active guard): http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
Windows Defender acts as a spyware scanner, an active spyware guard, and a system monitoring utility. I am quite a fan of Windows Defender and have installed it on all my systems as an added layer of defence. For more on Windows Defender, check out this article I wrote in April, http://www.pcmech.com/show/reviews/916/ .
Firewalls
Like noted above, your firewall is your most basic line of defence against intruders and unauthorized access. While each of these following programs in unique in their own way, they all function magnificently.
ZoneAlarm: http://www.zonealarm.com/
Kerio Personal Firewall: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm
Other
Here are just a few more tactics that help reduce the possibility of online privacy invasion and identity theft. A few of these tactics also help enhance your web browsing experience by removing superfluous advertisements.
Spyware Blaster: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Built solely for the purpose of blocking unneeded and authorized connections to your computer, Spyware Blaster is one of my favourite privacy protecting utilities. By blocking connections from unwanted third party servers, valuable bandwidth is preserved and you’ll never have to worry about third party adware and tracking cookies again.
MVPS HOSTS File: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
Your HOSTS file, which is loaded into your cache at start up, can be used to redirect unwanted internet connections to the local machine. By adding an entry to your HOSTS file, you are essentially preventing that connection attempt from succeeding. While many people tweak their HOSTS file to block specific sites, it can also be used to block unwanted “parasites”, such as advertisements, tracking cookies, and more. The MVPS HOSTS file automatically blocks a list of known third party sites which may jeopardize your privacy by tracking your browsing habits, attempting to create additional connections, or installing tracking cookies. Dedicated to improving your online security and privacy, the MVPS HOSTS file also increases the load times of many web pages by removing annoying advertisements.
CWShredder: http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html
CWShredder’s sole purpose is to find and remove CoolWebSearch from your computer. CoolWebSearch are variants of a browser hijacker which is designed to redirect you to CWS web pages when browsing the internet. Not only is this an extreme annoyance, CoolWebSearch is a direct violation of our online privacy because it installs and executes without our consent. With the help of CWShredder, we are able to stop CWS in it’s tracks, long before it is able to hinder our browsing experience and compromise our online privacy.
CCleaner: http://www.ccleaner.com/
CCleaner is a multipurpose utility, which acts as a registry cleaner, tracks eraser (more below), and optimization tool. It’s specializes in removing unnecessary temporary files, cleaning your cache, and eradicating needless registry entries. CCleaner also helps preserve our online anonymity and privacy by erasing our online tracks.
Alternative Browsers
Due to the vast distribution and usage of Internet Explorer it has become an obvious target for spyware and viruses. In numerous tests, it has been proven that the default security settings for Internet Explorer do a horrific job in comparison to alternative internet browsers such as Opera and Firefox. While alternative browser fan boys frequently advise avoiding Internet Explorer like the plague, many computer security experts argue that it is the browsing habits of the user, not the integrity of the browser, which endanger one’s online privacy. Personally, I agree with both arguments; there is no browser “secure” enough to make up for poor browsing habits. Nonetheless, I find the configurability and customization of Firefox to be top notch; it is by far my favourite browser. Later, in the Screen Cast section of this article, I will provide a neat tutorial on improving computer security and protecting our online privacy with the Firefox browser. Both Opera and Firefox are superb alternatives to Internet Explorer. Through extensive use of both browsers, I have yet to get any spyware.
Opera 9: http://www.opera.com/
Firefox 1.5: http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/
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