Recognizing and Avoiding Spyware
National Cyber Alert System, Authors: Mindi McDowell, Matt Lytle

Because of its popularity, the internet has become an ideal target for advertising. As a result, spyware, or adware, has become increasingly prevalent. When troubleshooting problems with your computer, you may discover that the source of the problem is spyware software that has been installed on their machine without their knowledge.

What is spyware?

Despite its name, the term "spyware" doesn't refer to something used by undercover operatives, but rather by the advertising industry. In fact, spyware is also known as "adware." It refers to a category of software that, when installed on your computer, may send you pop-up ads, redirect your browser to certain web sites, or monitor the web sites that you visit. Some extreme, invasive versions of spyware may track exactly what keys you type.

Because of the extra processing, spyware may cause your computer to become slow or sluggish. There are also privacy implications:

• What information is being gathered?
• Who is receiving it?
• How is it being used?

How do you know if there is spyware on your computer?
The following symptoms may indicate that spyware is installed on your computer:

• you are subject to endless pop-up windows
• you are redirected to web sites other than the one you typed into your browser
• new, unexpected toolbars appear in your web browser
• new, unexpected icons appear in the task tray at the bottom of your screen
• your browser's home page suddenly changed
• the search engine your browser opens when you click "search" has been changed
• certain keys fail to work in your browser (e.g., the tab key) doesn't work when you are moving to the next field within a form)
• random Windows error messages begin to appear
• your computer suddenly seems very slow when opening programs or processing tasks (saving files, etc.)

How can you prevent spyware from installing on your computer?
To avoid unintentionally installing it yourself, follow these good security practices:

• Don't click on links within pop-up windows - Because pop-up  windows are often a product of spyware, clicking on the window may  install spyware software on your computer. To close the pop-up  window, click on the "X" icon in the titlebar instead of a "close"  link within the window.
• Choose "no" when asked unexpected questions - Be wary of  unexpected dialog boxes asking whether you want to run a  particular program or perform another type of task. Always select  "no" or "cancel," or close the dialog box by clicking the "X" icon  in the titlebar.
• Be wary of free downloadable software - There are many sites that  offer customized toolbars or other features that appeal to users.  Don't download programs from sites you don't trust, and realize  that you may be exposing your computer to spyware by downloading  some of these programs.
• Don't follow email links claiming to offer anti-spyware software -  Like email viruses, the links may serve the opposite purpose and  actually install the spyware it claims to be eliminating.

As an additional good security practice, especially if you are concerned that you might have spyware on your machine and want to minimize the impact, consider taking the following action:

Adjust your browser preferences to limit pop-up windows and  cookies - Pop-up windows are often generated by some kind of scripting or active content. Adjusting the settings within your  browser to reduce or prevent scripting or active content may  reduce the number of pop-up windows that appear. Some browsers  offer a specific option to block or limit pop-up windows. Certain  types of cookies are sometimes considered spyware because they  reveal what web pages you have visited. You can adjust your  privacy settings to only allow cookies for the web site you are  visiting (see Browsing Safely: Understanding Active Content and  Cookies for more information).

How do you remove spyware?

• Run a full scan on your computer with your anti-virus software -  Some anti-virus software will find and remove spyware, but it may  not find the spyware when it is monitoring your computer in real  time. Set your anti-virus software to prompt you to run a full  scan periodically (see Understanding Anti-Virus Software for more  information).
• Run a legitimate product specifically designed to remove spyware -  Many vendors offer products that will scan your computer for  spyware and remove any spyware software. Popular products include  LavaSoft's Adaware, Webroot's SpySweeper, PestPatrol, and Spybot  Search and Destroy.

See CyberCondoms for links to anti-spyware resources