Resources for Web Development Students @ Robin’s Blog

I wrote this article several months ago, but we were discussing spyware in class today so I thought I would add it to the blog. Please add any useful tools (with a link) you may have used to help combat spyware to the comments section.

Spyware Tools

What is spyware?

Spyware is bits of software that helps a company gather information about a user or organization. Spyware can also come in the form of cookies and registry entries. Spyware is sometimes included in freeware, shareware, and even purchased software programs. The companies that use this spyware claim that their spyware is harmless; it’s just used to gather demographic information about their users for marketing. Unfortunately, some programs will not run without the spyware installed, this is a tradeoff for using the software for free. Now spyware is also being used with viruses to cause numerous problems on infected user’s systems.

What Can You Do?

There are numerous spyware tools available. Some are free and some cost. These programs will check your system for spyware and remove it. They’re fairly easy to use, although you should thoroughly read the directions before you use these tools. Note: Quoted items are verbatim from the software publisher’s web site.

Ad-aware – "Lavasoft is the industry leader and most respected provider of anti Trackware solutions. We have developed several applications that will provide you with the means to keep your computer or network free of these compromising and intrusive threats to your privacy." There is a freeware version, but the full version costs.

Spybot Search & Destroy – This is another program similar to Ad-aware. I found that Spybot picked up some spyware that Ad-aware did not. This could be because I hadn’t updated my Ad-aware to the most recent version. This software is free, but the author asks that you make a donation to the cause.

Pest Patrol – I found this program very easy to use and also very full featured. The really nice thing about this site is there is an on-line spyware scan called PestScan available on their site. There is an evaluation version, but the full version costs $39.95.

Spyware Blaster – "SpywareBlaster doesn’t scan and clean for spyware – it prevents it from ever being installed.
By setting a “kill bit” for spyware ActiveX controls, SpywareBlaster can prevent the installation of any spyware ActiveX controls from a webpage . It does this while not interfering with “friendly” ActiveX controls – so your browser can work correctly and you can have peace of mind!" This software is free, but the author asks that you make a donation to the cause.

SpywareGuard 2.2 (similar to virus protection) is also available from this site. This program scans files before you open them and detects if there is spyware inside.

WinPatrol – "Will sniff out Worms, Adware, Spyware, Cookies, Trojan horses and other virus type, malicious, nasty “mysteryware” that may attack your computer. WinPatrol puts you back in control of your computer with no need for constant updates." What’s very handy about this program is that it tells you all of the processes that are loaded when Windows starts, you can then disable these processes or remove them. This program is freeware and there is a plus version that includes access to the software publisher’s database.

It’s up to you to decide which program will serve your needs. Just remember that, like virus protection, you must immediately update the software after downloading. Unfortunately, there are new spyware threats every day.

For additional spyware information and tools, visit HowToWeb’s Spyware Removal Tools and Resources section.

There is also an extensive list of spyware tools here.