On this page you will find:
*What is this stuff?
*How did this stuff get on my computer?
*How can I get rid of it?
*How do I avoid this from happening?

Spyware, Adware, Hijacking, Viruses and other nasty stuff.

When a computer becomes slow in responding, starts to freeze or locks up, has pop-ups and other strange screens, it may have spyware, adware, viruses or file sharing software. These things can be really nasty, and almost everyone has some of them on their computer.

What is spyware?

Spyware is a broad software category that covers any program that secretly tracks or records information about you, your computer use, or personal information. Spyware is usually installed on your computer without your permission and collects personal data without first letting you know. The information spyware collects can range from the web sites you visit to more sensitive information like usernames and passwords.

Spyware reports your browsing habits (web sites you've visited) to the publisher of the spyware software. They use this information to present you with pop-ups when you are browsing the Web. Sometimes the information gathered is also used to send you spam.
Spyware can interfere with your network connection, slow down the performance of your computer and prevent legitimate software (such as Internet Explorer) from working properly.

Spyware is often associated with software that displays advertisements, called adware. Some advertisers may covertly install adware on your system and generate a stream of unsolicited advertisements that can clutter your desktop and affect your productivity. The advertisements may also contain pornographic or other material that you might find inappropriate. The extra processing required to track you or to display advertisements can tax your computer and hurt your system performance.

This is not to say that all software that provides ads or tracks your online activities is bad. If you sign up for a free music service and in return for that free service the company offers you targeted advertisements, it might be a fair tradeoff. Likewise, tracking online activities can be useful when displaying customized search content or personalized preferences at an online retailer.

The key is whether or not you (or another user of your computer) have been properly notified of what the software will do and that you have provided consent to have that software installed on your computer. In other words, is the software being deceptive in what it does or how it gets onto your computer?

How is spyware different from adware?

Spyware and Adware are essentially the same thing. The primary difference is that adware is used to pop-up ads that are meant to be meaningful to you, whereas spyware may pop-up ads that are offensive or have nothing to do with your interests. Both are annoying and can overwhelm your browser with pop-ups. Adware typically does not insert itself into your computer operating system as thoroughly as spyware.

Symptoms of Spyware

*Dramatic PC slowdown - Spyware slows down your computer because it keeps a log of all of your Internet activity.
*More frequent PC lockups - Your computer will lock up more because the spyware software drains a lot of your system resources.
*More junk mail - This software results in more junk mail, or spam mail, because companies now have your e-mail address and any other information you have entered into a website.
*More pop-up ads - Spyware programs launch pop-up ad windows from Internet Explorer because the software is programmed to do so.

Symptoms of Hijacking

A malicious spyware program or web site changes your browser settings without your permission. In many cases the browser software is damaged so that you are unable to fix it. Below are the general symptoms of being hijacked:

*You open Internet Explorer or another browser used to search the Internet and suddenly a new page starts.
*Your screen is filled with popup ads, even when you are not on the Internet.
*Mysterious Internet shortcuts or Favorites appear.
*When you attempt to repair the Internet options of Internet Explorer many choices are grayed out or missing under the Internet Options section of Internet Explorer.

How did spyware get on my computer?

*Spyware often tags along with or hides inside another program's installer. Many free programs, especially file/music sharing programs like Kazaa, install some form of spyware. Even innocent free programs (e.g. Comet Cursor, Bonzi Buddy, Gator and Weather Bug) will come with spyware. They may or may not tell you that they are doing this; if they do tell you, they will do so in the end user license agreement and take advantage that most people click "I agree" to software licenses without reading them.
*Spyware may be installed by a "drive-by" download (installed behind your back when you visit a web site).
*Spyware can come from a web site that keeps pestering you to download something until you say yes: Normally, your web browser should ask you for permission if a web site you visit tries to install anything. Unfortunately, when you say No, your "No" is only good until you go to the next web page, where you'll be asked again. After being asked several times, some people will just give in and say yes. (Don't!)
*Spyware can come from an e-mail or web site that convinces you that you need to download something, or offer something that you want: For example, a web site may display that you need to download a special media player or viewer, or may offer a free file-sharing program, screen-savers, or games.
*Spyware may pretend to be something essential: Spyware may masquerade as some type of security or antivirus warning, a "free security scan," or even a spyware removal program, to get you to click on it.
*It is best to assume that if the software is free, it comes with spyware attached.

How to detect and remove spyware.

*Currently there is no one software product that will detect and remove all spyware.
*Removing spyware may disable the software it tagged along with it. In some cases the spyware cannot be removed until the free software it came with is also removed.
*We strongly recommend using "Ad-aware" and "Spybot - Search & Destroy," free programs that scan your computer for spyware and remove it. These two programs do basically the same thing, but we recommend using both, as often one finds things the other missed.
*Note: If you see anything on your computer called "CoolWebSearch" or "CWS", remove it! You may need a special removal program called CWShredder to fully remove all traces of this nasty spyware.

Lavasoft's Ad-Aware
Step-by-step instructions for installing, updating and running Ad-aware can be found on the Elmhurst College Academic computing web site - acl.elmhurst.edu. We recommend that you print and read the tutorials first.

SpyBot - Search & Destroy
Step-by-step instructions for installing, updating and running Spybot can be found on the Elmhurst College Academic Computing web site - acl.elmhurst.edul. We recommend that you print and read the tutorials first.

**Note** By running and fixing the problems associated with certain spyware related products, you may no longer be able to run the programs or applications with which spyware was installed. Elmhurst College is not responsible for these consequences. Elmhurst College is not responsible for the compatibility of spyware removal software with your operating system. Please read all of the instructions. Be aware that the removal of some of the spyware and P2P programs on your computer may cause system problems and is your responsibility.

How to avoid spyware:

*Be aware of popular "free" music, movie and other file-sharing programs. Statistics show that many people get spyware on their system from these programs. To use the analogy of your house, when you install file-sharing programs you are literally leaving your front door of you home open. Besides the obvious risks of having someone steal something from you, they can also leave things behind that you many not want around.
*Install software only from web sites you trust. If you aren't sure, do some research, ask friends or check other resources you trust.
*Read the fine print. When you install any program make sure you read the message on each window before you click "Agree" or "OK". You should also carefully read any license agreements or privacy statements associated with the software. You may discover behaviors you find objectionable. If the window will not let you click "No" or "I do not accept", close the window by clicking on the "X" in the corner. Never click "Yes" or "I accept" just to get rid of the window.
*Do not click on banners that appear at the top of web pages even if they look like a fun game, claim you are a winner or state that they have found a problem or can fix your computer.
*Do not click on AIM or MSN profile links unless you are absolutely certain they are real.
*Do not follow links in spam e-mail messages since they often take you to sites that install spyware.