Squashing Spyware

By Rick Dexter

Special to the Times

In my last column I talked about spyware and adware, software programs that reside on your computer and track Web sites you visit, present you with customized advertising, and track private information, such as passwords and credit card numbers. Here are my six golden rules for keeping your system free of spyware and adware:

1. Never download a program from the Internet that a pop-up box prompts you to download. Many Web sites want you to download programs disguised as multi-media viewers or players that can carry adware. Some cleverly designed pop-up windows even go as far as making you think you have to download a program to protect your system or solve a security problem. I go for safety almost without exception, and “just say no” to all download prompts.

2. Avoid clicking on pop-up windows. Use a pop-up ad stopper program to help eliminate unwanted pop-ups. I find most of the pop-up stoppers to be more annoying than useful as they tend to stop too many pop-up windows, getting in the way of desired functions like reading e-mail. I've lately been using a free pop-up stopper program called POW! from www.analogx.com , which allows you to put individual pop-up ads on a blacklist, and at the same time it will safely close the ad. Before installing any pop-up stopper, it's important to first make sure your system is adware-free (see golden rule #6) or you might just be attacking the symptom of a bigger problem.

4. Turn off the ability for Web sites to store “cookies” on your system. This setting is usually found in the privacy settings of your browser. If you want to use Web sites that require cookies, add them to the “trusted sites” or “override” list in your security settings. Cookies can be used to track an individual computer system, and link it to user account names, passwords, and other information.

5. Fight the temptation to install “free” software on your system. Many free software programs install spyware or adware components in the background. This is especially true of file sharing programs like Kazaa, BearShare, Audiogalaxy, and iMesh. SaveNow and Gator are two common adware programs that I often see.

6. Regularly run a spyware killer program on your system. These programs can be purchased at a computer store, and some are downloadable over the Internet at low cost or even free. One of my favorite free Windows spyware killers is called Spyware Search and Destroy , which can be downloaded at www.safer-networking.org . Whichever program you choose, check it out carefully before you install it by searching the Internet to make sure it's legitimate. There are many programs that claim to be spyware killers that are actually spyware or adware in disguise.

There are exceptions to every rule, but these are good general guidelines to help keep your system free of spyware and adware. Check out anything you are unsure of with a technical person that you trust.