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Spyware, Adware Resource Guide... a look at what's available and what you can do against spyware and adware.
The key to guarding yourself against the evil side of spyware is to be informed, and watch carefully what you instal on your system. As we said before, many programs which act like spyware are actually good. So we have to be mindful of who we mix with and who we call friend. Here are some spyware resource lists that will help you check for spyware. At these sites you'll also find a wealth of information about related security concerns as well. To be a safe computer user is to be an informed computer user...
For decades Mac users have held their noses in the air for superiority over their PeeCee cousins' frail susceptibility to virus, security leaks malware and other computer weevils; but spyware knows no platform boundaries. For Mac Firewalls, Desktop Network Security, and Encryption SecureMac.com is a site devoted to Apple Macintosh; both Mac OS Classic and Mac OS X. securemac.com
If you run ethernet, broadband, or any "always connected" network on the Mac OS X, then you need to monitor outgoing network connections. "Once you see how many people are trying to get into your system, you'll gladly pay the shareware fee!" See: Little Snitch
Before you install any shareware or especially if it has a compelling pitch and it's free, go online resources and check its validity. You can use google's newsgroup search with the name of the program and keyword: 'spyware'. That might turn up some leads. You can also go to:
Computer Cops is touted as the absolute best site for up-to-date info on spyware. After downloading a prograqm called "Hijack" you will see exactly what is loaded and running in your system. There are instructions on the site how to interpret the log and how to remove the offending items. See: Computer Cops
SaferSite PestPatrol (Win) - They call PestPatrol an "anti-hacker" utility, and according to its maker it finds and eliminates hacker tools, spyware and trojans from your personal computer or corporate network. With it you can close "backdoors" put there by malicious hackers.
SpyChecker Database (Win) - The Spychecker System Tray Search is for those who download a lot of shareware. It puts the database right from your system tray.
Ad-Aware from Lavasoft (Win) - This frequently updated, and free, spyware removal utility that scans your memory, registry and hard drives for known spyware and scumware components -- then lets you conduct removals.
MacScan X - MacScan detects, isolates, and removes spyware like applications such as keystroke loggers, and Trojan horses to protection your Macintosh. (Mac OS FAT / Mac OS X) MacScan will isolate all evidence of spyware type applications to a secured, single location; including the programs, extensions, preferences and any log files then create a report of all activity. Mac OS X 10.0 or higher
SafeShred Pro 2.1.12 - SafeShred is an easy-to-use program designed to shred and remove files from your computer by overwriting the files with carefully selected patterns. SafeShred Pro also shreds both Free Disk Space and Entire Volumes. From CodeTek Studios, Inc., Shareware $25.00; requires: Mac OS X 10.1.3
Download now: SafeShred.dmg.gz
See a Screenshot SafeShredScreenshot.jpg
Spybot Search & Destroy - Spybot is powerful and free (donation is requested) however its website has come under sustained attack, presumably from spyware businesses. (From: news.scotsman.com
Many people will say it's not a big enough threat to take any concern. As with the spam plague most people just instal a blocker, cope with it, and look the other way. That's okay. Spyware will probably not kill you.
But if you cherish your privacy, you'll want to protect yourself and your family from the potential threat of spyware; from porno pop-up windows to the ultimate danger: identity theft. I hope I've given you some sound advice and productive leads to help you in this challenge.
As techniques get more sophisticated; and the industry becomes more and more aggressive at accomplishing their goals -- avoiding spyware and adware will be an ever increasing challenge for those of us who want to keep our privacy and our freedom.
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