STORM2K

Can anyone give me some insight into "spyware"? I have been doing a little research on it and downloaded Ad-ware yesterday and ran a scan on my computer and there were 150 items on my computer that transmit my data to advertisers and businesses. There were also a bunch of them that monitored my web-usage. I deleted them all simply because I got freaked out. I had "Hotbar" for my email and that one was the one that showed up the most. I really had no idea that I have virtually NO privacy on my computer. I am not a computer guru, but can make my way around one pretty good, but in this area, I need some input. What can I do? I like the fun things like "Hotbar" but if they are sending out all my information then "Is it worth it?" Talk about big brother...............

NO!!! Its not worth it... Dont use hotbar they are one of the biggest with the spy ware... Them and that dam gator.. I reccomend you run the ad aware once a week.. I usualy run it twice a week, but i am constantly downloading things.

I once ran Ad-Aware on my friend's computer and he had 365 spyware items. :o That's because he has a ton of Internet games and such. :o

From a techie point of view, its not worth having things like the "Hotbar" and the gator on your computer. Ad-ware does a great job on getting rid of that type of stuff. If you don't mind have your information being thrown all over the internet, then continue using it. Another big one that sends your information is the Weatherbug. Just my two cents worth of info on this subject.

When Ad-ware scans, will it ever find items that I need to keep? I just downloaded it yesterday and am learning. They have an "ignore list", what things would you put in that? Once you delete these items, does the "spying" stop? I know I am asking alot of questions but just the thought of all those people monitoring ME makes me feel very nauseated!!

It will never delete anything you need to be able to run your puter.. But for instance if you have lets say Grokster and you run ad aware it will delete there spyware, but without there spyware installed in your puter there program wont run, unless you have a patch... If you run into anyting like that let me know and ill see if i cant get you a patch

just curious, I ran ad-aware once this winter it found about 100+ things,but I wasn't sure what to do with them so I put them in a backup file it offered. Is it safe to delete those things it finds and the stuff I backed up?

Hunter,
That is my understanding of the software. There is an updated version of Adware out, I deleted everything it found!! In this version, you quarantine it then delete. That way you have the quarantined file in case you make a boo-boo. I just want everything OFF my puter that is set to watch me!!

Chad,
Thanks for the offer of the patch, I am sure I will be asking plenty of questions. Do you know if Incredimail is spyware? Some of those programs permanently attach to your hard drive, does Adware remove that? Or are they there for good? Can I do anything to remove those?

Thanks so much for helping me!!

GulfBreezer, this is a great discussion not only for you, but for all Storm2K member.

It seems to me that not many internet users know or care about Adware and Spyware. My brother happen to bring it up and put on my computer. We can't just "pull things out of the air" and run them. Not everyone knows to do searches for these sorts of things. I would say it baffles many people even someone like me who enjoys computers so much and is online very very often.

I AGREE!! I was in the dark about it too and was absolutely SHOCKED :o at what was being done. I always took for granted that my computer WAS MY computer. It isn't!!
Honestly, I feel very violated!! I know that may sound extreme but that is how I feel. It is like people sneaking in my house at night while I sleep and going through my things!!
I highly suggest that everyone take a look at what is on your computer!! I guarantee you will be as shocked as I was!

GulfBreezer,

Do you have the link to the Ad-ware download? Does it cost anything to download. I have had moy computer for several years now and I can just imagine the stuff I would find on it. I have had weatherbug on my system - took it off cause its a memory hog.

Please post the link.

Thanks,
Patricia

http://www.spychecker.com/spyware.html

Here is the link for Adware, it is not for the computer illiterate. It is free and make sure you read the help topics once you have downloaded it! They help alot!

Let me know if you have any problems with it ticka

Also not mentioned yet is the need for a firewall. This is especially needed for those with cable modems that are always on. I have Zone Alarm and it keeps a log of all the attempts by outsiders to get into my computer. It's amazing. Many of them are my ISP checking in for whatever reason. But others are undoubtedly either commercial, or worse, hackers trying to get in. These are not related to something that's on your computer they come from outside.

Here is a neat lil site.. Has a search engine where you can put in a program and it will tell you if its spyware... Also has a blocker you can download that is suppose to help block these things even from being installed on your puter.. Never tried it out though, so im not sure how good it works.. Im at work so i cant test it out here

Try to list the site again Chad it didn't show up for me. maybe it'd my computer

LOL, nope not your computer dopey me just forgot to paste it... DUH

Here is the first one I was talking about http://www.spywareguide.com/index.php

Here is another one.. Havent looked over it to much just noticed it had a search engine as well
http://simplythebest.net/info/spyware.html

Here is the download for AdAware:

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/

Here is the download for a free firewall:

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/c ... a_grid.jsp

(that's the one that I use)

Here is the download for a free anti-virus program:

http://www.grisoft.com/html/us_downl.htm

You know, several weeks ago on a talk station, the hosts were discussing htis very issue, and concluded that spyware can be nasty stuff. It slows everything down, including utilities like the internet, which can be a real pain in the neck... I think I may have some stuff on here.

Yes it does slow things down.... They send info while your surfing which slows you down... therock if you have never ran addaware before then there is no question about it you have spyware