protecting yourself

[tmracing62]

This isn't about cars, but may be of interest to some.

A while ago, DQ mentioned Ad-aware which is software to get rid of any spyware/data miners/trackers that have been planted on your computer while surfing. I've thoroughly checked it out and this is a very good product, easy to use and from a reputable party.

If you think you don't go anyplace on the Internet that would want to track where you go or how ever else you might spend your time, you will probably be surprised. Even very reputable sites and companies seem to think it's okay to watch what you do. I think it's not only very rude, but inexusably intrusive. Very lowlife.

Even if you are very careful, you can get taken in and if you don't monitor it, some very strange people can start watching your activities. I did a search for a present for our neighbor's two year old son. Guess where one of the search results took me. Then they hijacked the computer and all sorts of seriously evil stuff came up. They planted a data miner and it got my email address and those in my address book as we have later determined after I started getting some disgusting email. I had not run Ad-aware for a while, but did once this started and sure enough, there it was. Checked out who used this particular one and it is a group of rank sites.

Ad-aware itself is free although there are upgrades that cost. Nevertheless, the free version is very effective and safe. If you do download it and run it, you will probably be amazed at the amount of intrusive stuff that's on your system. The first time, just quarantine what it finds to be assured nothing vital gets removed. The chances are very good all of it will not be anything you want and from then on you can delete all of them.

http://lavasoft.element5.com/default.shtml.en

 

[WickedWayz]

Another great program is called SPYBOT (Search & Destroy) verison 1.2. It get rid of alot of spyware that come with programs that u either download r get from cdrom.

 

[bobs409]

I was soon going to mention this subject myself Michael. I've been using my old computer lately because the newer one is infected with a ton of adware and spyware that I can't get rid of!

I've ran Spybot and Adaware a zillion times and it did remove some but there's alot left that won't go away. And you can't just start deleting files on your own or you can mess up some good files that you need.

When I reboot the computer, there are programs that run in the task manager and slow the machine down to a crawl. I have to hit ALT-Ctrl-Delete a few times to get the task manager to pop up, then stop those programs from running to get the dang thing to work. It's so busy with this garbage running, I can't even click the start button! I get 4-10 pop ups at a time, I've had search bars added to the screen, my bookmarks were all changed around and many casino and adult sites added and even my home page was changed! This is really wrong!!!

I downloaded another program called Pest patrol and ran it. It found 660 things that didn't belong! Only problem, I didn't realize it was just a trial version so it wouldn't delete anything. If I want to pay $40 dollars, I can get it. The reason I don't is im thinking that the predators that put these things on the net may also be the ones selling these type of products to remove them. They are low lifes and I hope that someone steps in and finds them and prosecutes to the fullest extent of the law!

If anyone has any suggestions on how I can get my computer cleaned up without paying the "ransom", I'd love to hear it.

By the way folks, be careful on the web. Im told you don't even have to click on anything to have these automatically installed on your computer! Just go to the wrong website, and it will load all on it's own.

 

[64ss409]

I am using Symantec virus protection and Firewall. The Firewall has been stopping intrusion attempts. I have not had any problems. Do I need more??????

Ron

 

[tmracing62]

I have the same concern about downloading spyware eliminators. What a perfect opportunity to entwine something deeply that mutates a little bit on each install. And you pay and thank them for it. It's a kind of terrorism - the pleasure of doing something sneaky to someone else rather than use the same resources to do something more decent.

Bob -
You will probably have to burn your irretrievable files to a CD, low level format your hard drive and reload from the ground up. I changed from cable to DSL, rebuilt the old machine I use on the Internet and made a hardcopy directory listing of the cookies. Then occasionally check that list against what's there and add to the list or delete what shouldn't be there. I know this is pretty compulsive and I don't keep anything I can't afford to lose on the old computer, but it's a matter of principle. And by the way, you might have better luck with Ad-aware's newest download version Build 6.181. Then get the free updates often.

Ron-
Symantec's (Norton) Anti Virus 2004 looks for adware now. Over time, they will probably become the gold standard, but right now it's still weak in places.

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/expanded_threats/

Adware is not a virus and your firewall can't stop a cookie from being planted because there are so many valid reasons for cookies to be on you computer. Notice that this Forum recognizes you? Cookie. Delete it from your machine and you will have to re-enter your password next time you visit and it will refresh the cookie. Ad-aware does have an add-in that will tell you when someone tries to embed a cookie, but you have to pay for that software.

As far as having to pay for protection is concerned - I don't mind if it works. But that's just me. I used to write software and do believe you should pay to play.

And yes WickedWayz, SPYBOT is good too. Thanks for mentioning it.

 

[dq409]

YES !!! I`ve been pushing this for some time now !

Not only will AdAware find data miners it will find malware !!

Malware is a virus of sorts,,,,like the one Bob has !!
Yes Bob ,,,you have a malware virus !!
It has a exe. file that reloads it every time you delete it !!

This could be fatal to your computer !!
The last one I got also had a counter that ativates the malware after 30 reboots of the computer ,,,then starts deleting your GOOD files !! VERY destructive !!

I had to get my computer guru to go in from the dos mode to find it and eliminate it !!

I also have found that Norton and McAffee anti-virus software is lame !!
I use PcCillin and have used it on other computers that had the fore mentioned software and it found several viruses that they overlooked !!

You can check your computer from their site:
HOUSECALL

You also need to up-date ANY anti-virus software regularly.

I have not found a good program that stops all data miners or malware.
I scan my computer everyother day !!
I also have set my security setting higher and have it set to prompt any cookies that a site wants to stick in my computer.
You only have to tell it not to accept cookies once on each site .
It will remember when you return to that site.
It will allow session cookies.

Firewalls will only block hackers not viruses or data mines !

Also make sure the firewall you have will block traffic coming AND going !!
Not very many do this.
ZoneAlarm is one that does and is best IMO !!
A malware virus will send its self out without your knowing it and also export damaging info,,,,like passwords,credit card numbers and other important info you don`t want to share.

WHEW !! Sorry to go on so long ,,,but you need to protect your computer !!!,,,,dq " to the turds that do this" !!

 

[Phil Reed]

HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!

I don't know anything about computors!!!! I have McAfee and ZoneAlarm here on the home computor. DO I NEED MORE???!!!! Should I download the program that Michael spoke of?? This is way over my head and I don't know how to proceed......

 

[tmracing62]

Phil - Well this doesn't apply to you because the cookie we put on your computer sends all your information to everyone on the forum and the FBI. Thanks for the entertainment. The thing about the Minnie Mouse costume and the chandelier was a little confusing, but what the heck. Go for it.

ZoneAlarm is really good for knowing when something on your computer is trying to talk to the Internet and it does a good job of blocking lots of stuff if you don't want the creeps looking in your windows so to speak. That and a virus program are important. The value of Ad-aware is it finds what slips by because it knows the names of the bad stuff that you don't know. It can't hurt anything to download Ad-aware and look around their site to get a feeling for what it does. The Norton link I posted above tells you the names of most of the troublesome "ware" out there. When you download Ad-aware, just click the start button and it'll do its thing. You'll probably get 20 or even a hundred or more hits. Read the log file when it's done and it'll tell you what it found. It's 99.9999% sure that everything it finds you want to lose, but in order to avoid you punching me out at the convention for blowing away the id cookie for your on-line ballet class or this forum, just quarantine what it found the first time. If nothing changes over the next few days as you surf, and it shouldn't, then run it again and delete what it finds. And do that often like DQ says. It's very easy once you actually do it.

So here's my comment to those of you that are throwing up your hands because this is a pain and you think you just can't do it. Just guessing, but if someone tapped your phone line, planted bugs in your house, went through your mail and followed you around to get information about you and then shared it with others and they used that information in even benign much less malicious ways, you'd be crazy angry. The Internet is a powerful tool, but also an ugly parallel universe where the worst people from all over the world oftentimes dominate. Don't let them push you around.

A good virus program, Ad-aware and ZoneAlarm (or programmable hardware firewall) or similar really are just door locks and a burglar alarm. So don't be intimidated. If you can communicate on this forum, you can make this stuff work with very little effort even if you know ziltch about computers per se.
If you try it and get stuck, someone here can help.

It doesn't have to do with W's, but it does have to do with how we get together here.

BTW, here's the URL for Zone Alarm -

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp

 

[dq409]

Here is a link to AD-Aware,,,,,, PC-CILLIN

AND remember,,,,,UP-DATE your software often !!!

AD-AWARE

PC-CILLIN

Also,,,To change the security setting on your browers,,,
At the tool bar at the very top of the page:
Click on tools,
Internet Options,
Privacy,
Then click on Advanced,
check the box for "over ride automatic cookie handling",
Click on Prompt for both first and third party and allow session cookies.

Now when you visit a site a window will open and "prompt" to allow cookies.
Click "allow my discission ,,,," box and the block cookies box,,

This is easier then it sounds,,, and I have not had one data miner since I`ve done this.
One more thing,,, You may need to allow cookies for Ebay and some other secure sites but they will tell you to allow cookies before the site will alow you to go further,,,

DON`T worry !! Like I said ,,,,IT`S easy !!,,,dq

 

[wrench]

not being seen or heard

I also want to weigh in here.....

You can also use proxy servers to surf the net. Some are free and some not. If you don't care to have your IP logged by every site you visit, this may be a good source for you. I use them for some surfing.

If you are truly paranoid about tracking, (I am), be aware that your computer also logs your surfing habits and keeps backups too. All nicely hidden away but easily traceable by some forensic software. Simply deleting the cache will NOT 'cover' your tracks. To properly do that, you need to make some changes in WinXP.

1. As always, BACKUP your registry! You've been warned!

2. Start the Registry Editor by clicking Start, Run, and type "regedit" (without quotes).

3. Go to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Control\Session Manager\Memory Management

4. On the right, locate the ClearPageFileAtShutdown value. Right-click the value, select modify, and change the data value of the registry key to 1.

5. If the ClearPageFileAtShutdown value doesn't exist, add it. Right-click the right side of your specified key and add it as a DWORD value. Then change the data value to 1.

6. Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

Note: Your shutdown time will slightly increase.

This doesn't delete the file, it overwrites it with ones and zeroes.

Also, setup WinXP to erase history in the browser, the recent document history, etc. Use TweakXP for that.

I for one don't think it's anyones business but my own where I surf, what I read or download. I also use an IP spoofer program that is not available to the public. I use Zone Alarm, AdAware, and SpywareBlaster. For popups, I use Popup Manager.

You also have to be aware of hijacking websites that take over your browser.

My original email address has been plastered all over the world. For email, I use wrench@vox.org and I have all my 'drop' email messages forwarded to my main address. My son's server then pulls out the spam and forward the real email to me. I use my IP to further sort spam, and finally I use Mailwasher to finish things up. Sounds complicated but is actually only two or three mouse clicks.

 

[tmracing62]

Wrench -

Can you enlighten us about proxy servers? I know just enough to get it wrong.

 

[Tom Kochtanek]

On proxy servers

Michael:

In general, proxy servers are "substitute" servers that perform a certain (often specific) function. We use them in Web page development when we have, say a database application that is specifically licensed to a select group of end users, and that source is to be linked to a more public web (read "not licensed for a fee") site that we might be developing. It keep the one source (licensed, possibly costly) separate from the other, for security reasons, login purposes, and so forth.

They have many uses, but I think Wrench is referring to an application he uses that supports "Internet object caching".

Internet object caching is a way to store requested Internet objects (i.e., data available via the HTTP, FTP, and gopher protocols) on a system closer to the requesting site than to the source. Web browsers can then use the local cache as a proxy HTTP server (the server that supports your viewing of Web pages), reducing access time as well as bandwidth consumption.

Correct me if I'm wrong Wrench, but you use these proxy services to save bandwidth and increase productivity, right? So you access another device that reads your mail and use that to filter the incoming data (by source, server, etc.), correct?

I use proxy servers but not for Email, generally for accessing licensed databases available to selected end users (such as those accessing specifically licensed services within a large University or within a private corporation).

Hope this helps some

Cheers,
TomK

 

[WickedWayz]

Another way 2 shut off unwanted programs in windows is 2 use MSCONFIG . These are all the programs that startup when windows startup. Most of them dont need 2 be running anways.


1.To use just click the start button then click the run tab. 2.Type "msconfig" without the quotes, it will bring up a box name System Configuration Utililty.
3.Go to the startup tab and uncheck any programs that u dont want 2 start when windows starts up.
4. Reboot computer.


Hopefully the progams that you unchecked will not start. Oh btw u accidentaly uncheck anything else dont worry it well not mess up anything. Just repeat steps 1-4.
If any1 has any questions let me know

 

[Bungy]

Thanx for the Ad-aware heads up. Down loaded it the other day and holy-hanna! I've got a ton of spys on my computer. Well, not anymore. Thanx again guys.

 

[wrench]

proxy servers

Correct me if I'm wrong Wrench, but you use these proxy services to save bandwidth and increase productivity, right?

Well, not exactly. If a person were to desire to surf the anonymously one would want to use a site called www.proxify.com or www.anonymous.com. There are others. Your IP address is logged on all websites that collect such activity. In my opinion, that nobody's bidness but mine. I use proxy servers for some surfing, not all.

So you access another device that reads your mail and use that to filter the incoming data (by source, server, etc.), correct?

Yes, that's it in a nutshell. Some people use hotmail which is so easy to hack, it dangerous.

 

[bobs409]

Look what these virus's did to my mouse!!! :eek:

 

[JIMS409]

Originally posted by bobs409
Look what these virus's did to my mouse!!! :eek:

I don't Know Bob...Looks malnourished to me!

 

[dq409]

O M G !!!

 

[wrench]

Ha!

My son's working on a visual tracking mouse. The cursor follows your eyes around the screen. It's in the development stage right now. These double clicks on my head with the hammer are taking a toll!