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Computer and Technology
Group Meeting Highlights
February 17, 2005
by David Schlegel, Web Correspondent 

 “AntiSpyWare Programs”

Presented by Dick Curry

Dick Curry defined spyware (malware) as “computer software or code intentionally designed to destroy, aggravate and otherwise make life unhappy”. Viruses are programs or pieces of code that are loaded into your computer and run against your wishes.  They can replicate themselves and use up all available memory and do other damage.  A worm is an intact program that exists as a separate entity; but does not attach to other programs, and can spread over the network from one computer to the next.  Spyware collects information without the user’s knowledge and transmits it somewhere else.  Since they are independent, executable files they can monitor key strokes, scan files, snoop other applications, etc. Your computer can actually function as a server for this action. Defenses against spyware include software such as antivirus software, firewalls, and antispyware. 

A number of good antispyware programs such as Ad Aware and Spy Bot are available and free.  Pest Patrol Control and a number of others must be purchased.  Go to www.download.com to download Ad Aware and SpyBot and www.pestpatrol.com for Pest Patrol links to these programs.

Microsoft has just released a beta version of its new antispyware program at:
www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx . Dick was very enthusiastic about this program because it was easy to use and provided a lot of information in addition to managing spyware.  He went through the program step by step as one would use it.  (See Dick’s power point presentation in this website for details.)  He indicated that it did not find anything that Spy Bot and Ad Aware had not found but emphasized the need to have several antispyware programs running because none offer full protection.  This is in contrast to antiviral and firewall programs in which multiple programs may conflict with each other.  

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