TechKnowledgy - Spyware Part 2
TechKnowledgy
By Randy L. Kendrick

January 16, 2005

In last week?s column, I discussed how to keep your computer operating smoothly by avoiding spyware. This week, we will discuss how to find out if your system is already infected, and what to do if it is.

Knowledgeable computer enthusiasts have long used a several programs to find and remove spyware from their systems. These include AdAware by Lavasoft, and Spybot Search & Destroy. These are both freely downloadable programs, and I highly recommend using both, as they do seem to complement one another in the spyware they detect. Be aware that no spyware detection and removal software gives total protection.

AdAware, available at www.lavasoft.de, is one of the easiest to use. Restart your computer, then run AdAware. It will then offer to search for updates. I recommend you let it do so. It then searches your computer for spyware, lists suspect files, and lets you select which programs to remove.

Spybot Search and Destroy, at www.safer-networking.org, also lets you update, check for spyware, and select programs to delete. It also allows you to immunize your system, by locking some settings typically exploited by spyware.

Microsoft has also entered the spyware protection business with its purchase of Giant Software, a maker of computer protection programs. The software behemoth has rebranded the Giant product Microsoft AntiSpyware, and has made the beta version available for free. No word yet on if the next release will be free or not, but even the beta version is a nice tool in your arsenal. The program lets you do either a cursory scan of your system, or opt for an in-depth scan. The more thorough scan took eleven minutes on my 80 GB drive on a 1.8 MHz system. The Microsoft product also offers real-time spyware protection and a module of advanced tools for the serious Windows tweaker. You may download it at www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx. Remember, this version is considered beta, so you may encounter some issues in using it. I encountered none.

Another type of problem that home users often encounter is a rogue website will reset, or hijack, your home page. Even if you change it back, it is automatically set back to the rogue page. A good way to repair this problem is to download and run Hijack This!. It will scan your system and show you a list of files that could be hijacking your home page. It is available at www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

One last tip regarding spyware programs is to check your system for programs that launch automatically when you start Windows. In most versions of Windows since Windows98, you can click on the Start menu, select Run, and type in msconfig and hit the enter key. This will start the Windows System Control which shows you all of the autostart programs on your system, and lets you choose which to disable.

Free Software Pick of the Week

Do you have a CD or DVD burner in your PC, but find that the built-in Windows utility just doesn?t cut it? You could go out and spend your cash on either of two fine programs, Nero Burning ROM or Roxio Easy CD Creator. If you are of a more thrifty persuasion, like me, you can point your browser to http://www.cdburnerxp.se/ and download the excellent CDBurnerXP Pro. I have used all of the above mentioned CD burning solutions, and while the commercial products are both excellent, I find that CDBurnerXP Pro is a worthy contender. It even includes audio tools for creating that perfect music CD. The program runs on Windows 98/ME/2000/XP, and as with all my software picks, contains no ads, spyware, and is totally free to download and use.

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TechKnowledgy is a column written to help the everyday person to better use their computers, electronics, and other home technology devices and software. Send your home tech questions to Randy at techknowledgy@bluesprucemarketing.com.