Watch out for spyware on the Net
By Kim Komando
Gannett News Service
Let's say you're a sports nut, and you visit lots of sports sites on the Internet. Suddenly, something strange happens. The advertising you see on the Internet, even on nonsports sites, tends to be about sports.
Can this be a coincidence?
No, you may well have a program on your computer that is telling another computer on the Internet to send you sports-related ads. This program, which is known as adware (or spyware, if you prefer), tracks your preferences on the Internet. It then helps tailor an advertising program for you.
Are you comfortable having this program on your computer? Most people aren't. But these programs are part of a drive to develop profitable business models on the Internet. Most of these programs are downloaded along with freeware applications. Instead of charging you for the application, the freeware author is paid to include the adware program.
You probably believe that you should have been told that you were receiving adware with your freeware download. And, in fact, you probably were told in the freeware program's terms of service or license agreement, but if you're like most people, you probably don't read these documents.
Like trojan horses
Adware programs are similar to trojan horses — or programs placed on a user's computer with the intent of stealing data. Trojans find an open port in the victim's networking setup and insert the trojan horse into the computer. It then sends data back to the intruder's computer. That data can include passwords, financial account numbers and other important information. Obviously, such information could be used to rob the victim blind.
Adware doesn't steal data, at least according to the makers. It tracks your Web interests. Advertisers are seeking demographic data so they can provide you with custom ads. Lucky you!
The programs send information back to a server somewhere on the Internet. This is their weakness, and the spot where you can stop them if you want. The key is a firewall.
Use a firewall
Anyone connected to the Internet today should have a firewall. These programs block adware, trojan horses and anything else from sending data from your computer to the Internet without your permission.
Zone Alarm (www.zonealarm.com) is a good firewall. You can download it free for personal use. The Microsoft Windows XP operating system also includes a firewall that works well.
There are also programs that will ferret out adware applications and eradicate them. The best one I have found is Ad-aware. This program, made by Lavasoft (www.lavasoftusa.com/downloads.html), is fast and well-designed.
It works by comparing the programs on your machine with a list of known adware applications. From this, it creates a list of adware programs running on your computer. You can easily delete them. It is important to check regularly that you have the latest version of Ad-aware because new adware programs are constantly being developed.
You also can avoid most adware programs by using the Spychecker (www.spychecker.com) Web site. You enter the name of the freeware program in the Spychecker search box, and it checks its database to see if it includes adware.
Adware is just another intrusion facilitated by the Internet. I delete them whenever I find them.
Komando is host of a national radio show about computers and the Internet.
