. . . continued from Hot News The problem isn't necessarily that you're being bombarded with advertising once this crap installs itself on your computer. The real issue is the fact that some of this junk can actually be used to take some degree of remote control over your computer. That is scary. Because a lot of this kind of junk can install itself silently (in the background and without your knowledge) and because none of it checks to see if other similar nonsense has already been installed on your computer, it's possible to almost inadvertently end up with dozens of these programs running in the background, turning your computer into a slow, unresponsive and useless pile of nothing. Most malware—the generic term for spyware and most other malicious programs, including viruses, which compromise your computer—is invited in by user actions; people who click "Yes" or "OK" in the pop-up. The language in these pop-up dialogs uses the Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt (FUD) factor quite effectively. The main reason that FUD works is based on the fact that even the most computer-illiterate users are aware that problems and bad people exist on the Internet. Computer users don't necessarily know the details or the technology behind the problems. They just know that somewhat complicated problems exist and that something has to be done about it. Antivirus software and software firewalls are seen as an antidote for almost everything. Legitimate anti-spyware programs such as Lavasoft's AdAware and Patrick M. Kolla's SpyBot Search & Destroy actually augment the effectiveness of antivirus programs and firewalls in fundamentally important ways, mainly by adding spyware detection tools to the kit. But tens of millions of computer users simply don't have the time or the awareness level needed to physically set aside the time to perform regular spyware checks, update antispyware software and so on. At some point soon browse the Spyware Warrior web site and give yourself an education. One of the more interesting bits of information you'll find about spyware is a revealing interview with 180solutions, a company well-known for its silent installations of advertising-based spyware. Although 180solutions appears to be moving strongly into legitimate territory, its companions in this industry segment are not. As well, 180solutions does not directly install anything on your computer, rather leaving it up to licensed distributors to do all the heavy lifting. It's kind of like the honor system—sell something with obvious potential for abuse, while you providing inadequate levels of staffing to check up on the licensees and their activities. Here's the interview. As has been noted widely, some browsers are better than others when it comes to protecting people from various spyware incursions. The problem is that trying to keep up with browser alternatives is somewhat wearing. The advice you may have heard by now to "Pick a browser, protect it, and don't forget to say NO when something stupid wants you to download it" is great advice indeed. The FUD factor is nowhere more effective than it is with Internet Explorer users, millions of whom have been galvanized with fear over reported security holes in the software.

None of the spyware companies give a sweet damn it they're first in line or last in line, or even if there are so many other spyware routines running in the background that the system is running at half speed or worse and won't display their awful streaming ads properly in any event.

Some people reading this may ask how they're supposed to know when something is bad. The answer is quite simple. Just keep in mind that nobody does anything for nothing. If a window containing a offer to scan your computer pops-up on a web site, you have to ask yourself why. Why is someone offering their software for free in order to scan your system for free? Is it being done purely for some altruistic motive? Doubtful. What are the chances that this so-called spyware scanning software being offered for free is actually rigged to produce false positives—telling you that your computer has been infected by spyware even though the computer is actually clean? It's very likely, especially if you browse the Spyware Warrior web site and note the number of spyware programs in the list which specifically produce false positives as an incentive for people to click and install. So where's the money you ask?

Continue the thought. A company such as 180solutions in not necessarily in the spyware business. It has developed software which can be used for a number of purposes: streaming advertising to user desktops via dedicated windows; tracking user browsing patterns in order to customize the streaming advertising; installing additional software via browser exploits (security holes) for the purpose of directing user interests. If it all sounds invasive, you're right. The situation is outrageous. But 180solutions licenses its software to others, mainly private distributors, who are in the business of promoting everything from Viagra to hormone pills, pornography to free college diplomas, get rich quick schemes and you name it. Those licensed distributors pay 180solutions real money for access to the code. That's where the money is. As long as you keep clicking on those popups, as long as you keep responding to messages from complete strangers, reacting to FUD windows from apparently bountifully generous web sites which claim to only want to protect your precious computer investment, consider yourself suckered.

Ben Edelman has published an excellent, straightforward and concise article on spyware installations. I think the most important conclusion to draw from Edelman's piece is that if spyware companies increasingly demand legitimate status as a whining defense against increasingly strident accusations of wrongdoing, why is their software so often designed to install itself via security holes in various browsers, rather than through conventional means? What's wrong with offering traditional trial versions via user-controlled downloads? The answer should be obvious. The part in Edelman's piece about how his test computer was brought to a virtual standstill is frightening because of its effect on your ability to use your own computer in a similar situation, and instructive because it's obvious proof that none of this spyware bothers to inspect a system to see if other spyware is already running. None of the spyware companies give a sweet damn it they're first in line or last in line, or even if there are so many other spyware routines running in the background that the system is running at half speed or worse and won't display their awful streaming ads properly in any event. There's nothing worse than stupid software. It's often an indication that the software maker has one narrow goal only. In this case, the goal is too narrow and too heedless of your personal property and your privacy.

Seen any of these lately? AdDriller, ADS Adware Remover, AdwareSpy, AdWare SpyWare Blocker & Removal, AdwareX Eliminator, Ad-Where 2005, ETD Security Scanner, Privacy Tools 2004, SpyBeware, Spy-Kill and The Web Shield? They're all the same program, and one of them looks almost exactly like LavaSoft's excellent AdAware. How about Consumer Identity, Protect Your Identity, SpyBan, SpywareAssassin, Spyware C.O.P., SpywareKilla, The Adware Hunter and TheSpywareKiller? They're all the same program. How about AdwareDeluxe, AdwarePatrol, AdwareRemover, AdwareSafety, AdwareTools, AlertSpy, Doctor Adware, Doctor Adware Pro, PestBot, PestProtector, SpyDestroy Pro, SpywareRemoval and SpywareRemover? Ditto—they're all the same program. There are more too, with the latest listings posted on the Spyware Warrior web site.

The point is that if you see any of this stuff, stay away. Do not click, do not download, do not allow anything to scan your system. Any message which pops up in your web browser telling you that your system is vulnerable, compromised, open to threat, etc., is complete bullshit. If you really believe that there are virus and spyware programmers out there who are smarter than us, believe also that none of them are smart enough to get into our systems when we shut the door in their face. When you click, you open the door. When you fail to update your browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox or whatever), you open the door. When you fail to install and regularly use AdAware and SpyBot Search & Destroy, you open the door.

Bad people want access to your computer for a dozen different reasons: streaming advertising, control of your computer, denial of service attacks and theft of personal data are the top four reasons. The problem is not benign. The Internet is overburdened by all of the wasted bandwidth sucked up by spyware and spam e-mail. Say no, never click popups and delete spam e-mail every time. The computer you save will be your own.

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