You have Spyware.

"Someone is spying on YOU!"

If you surf the 'Net, you've probably got spyware on your PC. Researchers at Universities and security vendors estimate that millions of desktops are infected with spyware.

Worse, you may have some sort of harmful malware that could be stealing your personal information. Spyware can track your activities, record keystrokes, and send that information to other people.

Not all spyware is invasive or harmful but none of it is not installed to benefit you. It's there to benefit someone else.

I don't know about you, but I don't want any spyware on my computer. Ever. That's why I use SpyEraser by UniSoft. Another option is XoftSpy by Canada's ParetoLogic.


"What are Spyware, Malware, Adware, and Keyloggers? It's more than simply a nuisance! "

Spyware is software that has been installed on your PC without your knowledge or consent. The term spyware is commonly used to include adware and malware. The purpose of most spyware is track shopping and web surfing patterns. This is not for your benefit. Its purpose is to benefit of the marketers who, armed with better data, can create more targeted sales activities.

The class of spyware known as "adware" is generally more annoying than harmful. It usually presents itself as annoying advertising banners, windows, of pop-ups that try to direct or divert your attention to a product or web site. For example, many "adult" web sites have used pop-ups; and, when these things show up at unexpected times (in the presence of children or co-workers), it can be very damaging if not damning.

The class of spyware known as "malware" includes more malicious uses of these tools. Malware may alter settings in your PC or install unnecessary toolbars of gadgets (or what I call "gadbars") in your browser. Often these software changes can slow your computer or make it crash -- sometimes repeatedly. Malware may also scan your computer to gather personal information. Personal information about you or your online activities can be sent to a remote site. Not only is your privacy being invaded, but it raises the possibility of identity theft. Keyloggers are also a form of malware. Keyloggers track your keystrokes recording ("keylogging") details of your activities.


"How do you get Spyware?"

You can become infested with spyware by visiting certain web sites, installing free software or shareware. Some are installed when you sign-up for various services that require you to install additional software. It should be noted that the vast majority of free software and shareware is completely safe. But, the smart PC owner must be cautious about the source and have proper antivirus and spyware protection installed. You may also find spyware is installed when you subscribe to some pay services. And while this may be fully disclosed in their licensing information, most people do not read those carefully.


"Umm, why no. I don't' have spyware on my PC"

I'm an IT guy. I don't visit dodgy sites. I'm very careful about what I install. I'm not a security freak but I'm well acquainted with the risks.

One day my PC started acting a little weird. It crashed or ran slowly. After doing a little research, I began to think I had a virus. But, virus protection was and up-to-date. No viruses.

Could it be spyware? Hmm. No, I don't do anything that would allow ME to get spyware. Then, after wasting considerable time looking for other problems, I decided to get a free scan. Bingo. Wow, was I surprised (and a little embarrassed). My system was infested with spyware. How and where I got it, I'll never know.


"How do I get rid of spyware?"

Some of the newer anti-virus products include spyware protection. Symantec Norton's AntiVirus 2007 is a great antivirus that includes spyware protection. But, if you aren't in the market for antivirus -or- if you want something stronger that is dedicated to finding, removing and blocking spyware, you should look at SpyEraser by Uniblue or XoftSpy by Canada's ParetoLogic. They have a great product with full customer support. But, you don't have to believe me. Visit their sites and read the testimonials on their site from happy customers.

I've used several products over time and SpyEraser and XoftSpy are the best I've seen. SpyEraser gets better from industry reviewers.

When you scan, be careful. All of them seem to be very aggressive. That is, they will return a list of things that is usually, but not always, spyware. So go through the list carefully and decide what you want to keep. Checking the first scan can be a pain if the list is extensive. Sort through the "cookies" - small and not dangerous bits stored on your PC to tell web sites who you are -- to keep those for sites that you visit often. Most other cookies should be deleted. After that it's not hard to keep things "pest" free.

After I installed mine and cleaned up my system, I feel much better. I know now that people aren't tracking how and when I shop or surf the web.

New Norton protection for 2007

If you don't have anti-virus software -- or if it isn't updated automatically online -- do not connect to the Internet. And, don't swap foppy disks, cd's or dvd's!

Should viruses and worms enter your system, they can corrupt and destroy software making your system unusable. Worse, you could lose email, address books, your term paper, important financial records or precious family photos. New threats emerge daily. Be smart, get protected and stay protected.

Viruses and worms can be stopped by any good antivirus program. Some block spyware that can that be used to track your shopping/web surfing habits. In some cases, spyware can be used to steal your identity. Many new security pacakages are classified as "internet security" packages. In addition to a complete anitivurs solution, they include a firewall to block unwelcome traffic into and out of your computer. It's easy to buy one tool to do it all and one of the best security tools that I've used is Symantec's Norton Internet Security. Symantec's Norton AntiVirus is a top tier anitvirus. It's been overhauled for 2007 and it's getting great reviews. Norton Internet Security has the same great antiivurs but adds the firewall and includes a license for up to 3 computers. This makes it a great buy for the modern family with several computers or the small office. Norton products are famous for their value and completeness. It's the premier antivirus and very competitively priced. The new version is very user friendly. More importantly, independent labs rate as strong a protector as any on market (which, incidently, is stronger than most).

No product is perfect and, I think due to Norton's huge success, it hated in some corners. I have used it for years on several different systems. It has always been steady and reliable.

Norton requires XP Home or Pro. (They do have a Apple OS Tiger version.) They also charge for live telephone support but there online chat and email support is free. If you must have free telephone support, you may want to look at other vendors.

If you're not running that, there are many other great antivirus products out there: CA's eTrust, McAfee, BitDefender, and others conveniently listed at Symantec-Shop.com. Again, no product is perfect but you probably won't go wrong choosing any major brand.

Norton is unquestionably top tier - a world leader in security. Don't just take my word for it. Most professionals I know have long trusted and recommended Norton for the desktop system. The major tech publications always rate it very high.

Don't put off buying an antivirus or renewing your existing one. After relative quiet period, new viruses outbreaks are likely in the next few months.

High-Speed Internet or "Broadband"

High-speed Internet access, also known as "broadband", is both faster and more reliable than dial-up. As you may know, dial-up uses a telephone line connected to a modem. When you're online, you cannot use your telephone. That's very inconvenient or very expensive, if you, as some people do, have a seperate phone line for dial-up. With dial-up line noise that would not upset voice can cause problems for computers. Problems shown up as delays or dropped connections. Dial-up is very slow, too, by modern standards. That's easy to observe when compare the speed of home dial-up to a network speed where you work. Broadband is also "always on". Simply power on the computer and go -- again, just like most people are accustomed to at the office. So, speed, reliability, and convenience are why broadband is what everyone wants.

How do you get broadband?

You've got a few choices. Broadband access is available through most cable TV providers via existing CATV connections. You give them your credit card and they give you a cable modem. You plug your PC into the cable modem using the Ethernet card in your PC and an Ethernet cable. If you PC is less than 5 years old, it probably has an Ethernet card but you better verify that.

Another great alternative is DSL. DSL is carried over convential telephone wiring. This makes it easy to get the service to your home. But note, DSL does NOT interfere with your telephone the way a dial-up does. That is, with DSL you can be online and on the phone at the same time. Unfortuneately, DSL has distance limitations. Check with a provider to see if it is offered in your calling area. Verizon makes it easy to check, simply visit their web site and put in your area code and phone number - land line of course - and within a few seconds you'll know if it's available in your home. Many other companies are DSL providers but Verizon is an excellent choice. Not only is Verizon a top-tier vendor with a superior infrastrure (wiring, electronic gear, and so on) but they offer great pricing. In fact, you can get Verizon DSL right now for about the same price as dial-up.

So, check your calling area and get onboard. No more dial-up will let you surf at high-speed with no dropped connections. And, you'll be able to listen to music, download file with amazing speed, surf the web, and talk on the phone, all at the same time!

Introduction - Computer Essentials for non-Geeks

Feeling baffled, if not a little stupid, when it comes to computers and computer security. You're not alone. Most of my family, friends, and acquaintances feel that way. There's "hardware" and "software", "programs" and "code", "servers", "drivers", and "MAC addresses". It's just too confusing for the non-geeks! The news is full of stories on the dangers of "viruses", "spyware", and "identity theft" but what do those things really mean? It's frustrating not to know what software you really need to protect your computer. To make things worse, the IT "geeks", seem to know it what's going on, but just try to get one of them to explain it all to you. They either don't have the time for you, or they use geek-speak. Worse, some geeks like making you feel stupid. Jeez Louise!

But hold on! Don't give up! It doesn't need to be complicated. Take a few minutes to read my blog and you'll find computer basics pretty easy.

I'm a bona fide "geek" myself and I'm starting this blog to try to help. I’ve worked in IT for more than 25 years: from mainframes to handhelds, from programmer to managing networks and servers for thousands of users. I know I've been impatient with clients in the past. What was my excuse? I thought that everyone - or at least everyone with half a brain - should know this stuff. I thought, hey, computers are every where. Somebody's got to be telling folks, teaching them, right? Wrong said my wonderful wife. She pointed out a few years ago that she had no way to learn about computers except through me. Since then I've looked around and only to find that she was right. Just try to find a quick primer on essential computer information, something easy to read and brief. Something that you, the non-geek, can understand. What you don't need is a 300 pager dense with technology details.

So now I have a new passion: trying to make computers easy to understand. That's the purpose of this blog. How computers work is easier to understand than you think, believe me. And, when you understand the basics for hardware and software, I'll move on to computer security. In just a few short posts, I hope to give you the knowledge and confidence to speak intelligently about these issues and to make the right choices about when purchasing a computer and the software that you need to protect yourself from viruses and privacy threats.

If my work helps you, please let me know. And, if I'm not clear, let me know that, too. I'll incorporate all good suggestions in updated versions so that it will help others.

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