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From the personal web site of
Michael Horowitz
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M a l w a r e L i n k s
NOTE: Much of this is old, the last real update was in March 2007
Free Spyware Scans
Anti-Spyware Products TOP
- DropMyRights
lets you run programs with restricted access to Windows, even though you are
logged on as an Administrative class user. Windows
Users: Drop Your Rights by Brian Krebs in the Washington Post April 18,
2006 provides some background to Drop My Rights.
- Ad-aware v6 from Lavasoft
is free. Alternate link.
- Spybot - Search & Destroy by PepiMK
Software is free. Alternate link.
Another alternate link. Still
another alternate link.
See also Guide to Spybot Search & Destroy 1.3:
Downloading, Installing, and Using Spybot from Lehigh University
- The downloadable 30 day free trial version of Spy Sweeper from Webroot
used to remove Spyware, but no more. Now it only detects. The program is $30 for the
first year and $15 per year for a subscription renewal (just like an
anti-virus program).
- Spyware
Blaster from Java Cool Software is free. It does not remove Spyware. It stops
some Spyware from running and
installing. Version 3.2 from July
- How to Remove Spyware and Malware from a Windows computer
- CounterSpy
from Sunbelt software is $20 for the first year and $10 for each additional
year. There is a 15 day free trial. Alternate
Link
- GreenBorder Pro Reviewed by
PC Magazine. June 24, 2006.
- The free Yahoo IE Toolbar finds and
deletes Spyware and Adware
- SpyCatcher 2006 comes in a
free express version and also a paid edition. PC Magazine reviewed
it October 25, 2005
- 2044 is available
from download.com. Alternate
link
- IE-SpyAD very
much like Spyware Blaster. Also free.
- Enough is Enough.
From SpywareWarrior.com. Free program that zaps IE configuration settings to
be as safe as possible. This breaks many web sites but it also makes it easier
than normal to add web sites to the Trusted Zone in IE.
- Windows
Defender from Microsoft used to be called Microsoft AntiSpyware. It only
works on Windows XP. As of February 2006, it is free and in Beta.
Microsoft purchased anti-Spyware
software from Giant in December 2004. It was been freely available in beta
(read buggy) form for all of 2005. Quoting Microsoft: "... helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. It features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it's detected, and a new streamlined interface that minimizes interruptions and helps you stay productive."
Alternate
link.
- Malicious Software Removal Tool
from Microsoft. Checks for a handful of viruses and other malicious software and helps remove
it. You can run it manually or just use the version included in Windows
Update. For the list of software it detects and removes see Families Cleaned by the Malicious Software Removal Tool
- A chart comparing all
the anti-malware programs from Microsoft.
- SiteAdvisor is in beta as of
January 2006. It is a browser plug-in that warns you about bad web
sites.
- Earthlink customers can get free anti-virus software from EarthLink as part
of their Protection Control Center
- Trend Micro CWShredder
removes Cool Web Search, a particularly nasty infection
- Malware removal tools available from F-Secure
- SpySubtract from Intermute comes in a free and paid version.
They don't explain the differences.
- BHO Protection
- Pest
Patrol is now owned by Computer Associates. The former URLs were pestpatrol.com and pestscan.com.
- SpywareGuard 2.2
is free and provides real-time protection against Spyware. However, as of
November 2004, the vendor, Javacool says "SpywareGuard is a work-in-progress.
We cannot guarantee that it will not conflict with other security software on your machine."
- Spywareinfo.com has a long list of anti-Spyware
software
- EarthLink Spyware Blocker
detects and disables Spyware. It is free to EarthLink customers and is part of
their Total Access 2005 software package.
- CWShredder
2.0
removes the CoolWebSearch program which hijacks your IE home page among other
things. This is said to be the nastiest Spyware program. CWS Shredder is supported
by InterMute and programmed by Merjin Bellekom. Alternate
Link1 Alternate
Link2 Alternate
Link3
- IE-Spyad
adds a long list of sites and domains associated with known adware companies to the Restricted sites zone of Internet Explorer.
- Which program to chose? See the Anti-Spyware Test (Guide)
by Eric L. Howes
- Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner
from Kephyr is free.
- Spysites is
similar to Spyware Blaster (above) and comes in a free and paid version
- HijackThis
- Adware
removal programs from download.com. In April 2004, there were 56 programs
listed.
- SpyChecker lists products that are either entirely free, or fully functional time-limited
shareware
- Spyware / Adware / Hijack Detection & Removal
A list of anti-malware software from TomCat Internet Solutions
- Counterexploitation
has a list of known Spyware and Adware programs
- Free
anti-Spyware programs from snapfiles.com. See also their shareware
selection
- WinPatrol is a free program that tells
you about attempts to change several aspects of Windows. There is also a paid version.
If a new program is added to the startup list, this
is the warning.
Spyware Articles TOP
- You Need Antispyware
July 31, 2006 By Sean Carroll in PC Magazine. Reviews SpySweeper, Spyware
Doctor and Ewido. The liked the first two.
- Spyware fight attracts a crowd
by CNET News.com. February 10, 2006. Four groups have sprung up to fight the insidious software that pops up ads on screens or spies on PC users. Is that too much of a good thing?
- Safe data more than a keystroke away
by Lou Dolinar October 2, 2005. About keystroke logging programs.
- Reviews of
free anti-Spyware programs. PC Magazine. September 28, 2005
- Spyware Stoppers Still Improving
From the August 2005 issue of PC World magazine. CounterSpy, Spy Sweeper and ZeroSpyware
- Why spyware's here to stay (for now)
By Robert Vamosi CNET July 8, 2005
- Loopholes In Anti-Spyware
Programs, Part 2 July 7, 2005. Web Pro News
- Fear of
Spyware changing online habits The Associated Press. July 7, 2005.
- Weeding Out Spies
PC Magazine June 19, 2005. A review of 10 anti-Spyware programs. Their
favorites were Spy Sweeper v4 and and Spyware Doctor v3.2.
- The Sad State of Spyware
By Larry Seltzer in eWeek. April 22, 2005
- Welcome to Spyware City
by Lance Ulanoff in PC Magazine. April 6, 2005. Not long ago I spent three-plus hours disentangling a friend's PC from an unbelievable pile of Trojan horses,
Spyware, and Adware, the likes of which I had never seen firsthand.
- Don't fall for PC scan scams
By Brian Livingston. March 24, 2005. Many Web sites that claim to "scan your computer" to detect spyware are, in fact, spreading spyware themselves.
- Malware: what it is and how to prevent it
by ArsTechnica. Excellent article. No date.
- Sick of Spyware? Thinking of switching to a Mac? Walter Mossberg wrote about
this February 17, 2005. While Switching to Mac Will Improve Security, It Isn't for Everybody
- Microsoft on
'rootkits': Be afraid. Be very afraid IDG News Service February 17, 2005. New generation of system monitoring programs are almost impossible to detect.
- Trojan attacks Microsoft's
anti-Spyware February 9, 2005, CNET News.com
- Six steps you can take to block unwanted software
by Ed Bott February 1, 2005
- Ten things you need to know about
Spyware by Ed Bott January 25, 2005
- Spyware in 2005
by Scot Finnie. February 2005.
- Recommended PC Anti-Spyware Products
By Wayne Rash at Security Pipeline. January 18, 2005.
- Fried By Spyware
by Arik Hesseldahl in Forbes January 17, 2005. A web-surfing employee unknowingly downloaded a
Spyware program and it took two weeks to clean up the mess it made on a
company's internal network. Email and payroll were both affected.
- How to completely eliminate tracking cookies
by Ed Bott January 13, 2005
- Yet another attack vector, a new way for your computer to be infested with
malware. Hackers Tune In to Windows Media
Player by Ryan Naraine in eWeek. January 10, 2005
- Media Files that Spread Spyware
by Benjamin Edelman January 3, 2005. Same story as above.
- A Primer on Fighting Spyware
By Walter Mossberg in the Wall Street Journal December 29, 2004
- Terminating Spyware With Extreme Prejudice
NY Times December 30, 2004. Not a very good article, written by someone with
no technical expertise who sought advice from others, also with no technical
expertise.
- Market to protect consumer PCs seems poised for takeoff
USA TODAY December 26, 2004
- Panic Over Spyware
John C. Dvorak in PC Magazine December 20, 2004.
- Microsoft is planning to issue their first anti-Spyware product which they
obtained by buying another company. Microsoft Acquires Giant, Plans Antispyware Release.
PC Magazine. December 16, 2004.
- Breaking, Entering Your PC
by Terry McDermott in the LA Times November 26 2004. Spyware can paralyze or commandeer a computer. Help is hard to find, but it's out there.
The author tells his personal Spyware infection story.
- Install printer. Get Spyware.
- AOL/NCSA Online Safety Study
by America Online and the National Cyber Security Alliance October 2004.
Spyware was found on over 80% of PCs.
- Bigger Threats, Better Defense
from the June 2004 issue of PC World magazine. Great chart showing how well
anti-Spyware programs did at detecting and removing Spyware. The percentages
are very low.
- Trojan horse spies on Web banking CNET News.com
November 11, 2004. You go to real bank web site and then the Spyware program
activates itself and logs every keystroke.
- Poor Defenders
PC World magazine November 3, 2004. Some anti-Spyware companies use confusing ads, and
tests show their $20-$60 products are less effective than free competitors.
- Hackers, spoofers and malware--oh my!
CNet News.com November 3, 2004. Multiple articles
- Steve Bass did a three part story on Spyware in PC World magazine
- Plague carriers: Most users unaware of PC infections
October 25, 2004 CNET News.com A study of home PCs found that about 80 percent had been infected with
Spyware almost entirely unbeknownst to their users.
- Barbarians
at the Digital Gate New York Times September 19, 2004. About Spyware and
Adware.
- A Two-Pronged Spyware Defense
by Steve Bass in the September 2004 issue of PC World magazine. Keep the torrent of snooping software off your PC before and after it strikes.
- Can Anything Stem the Spyware Tide? PC World September
1, 2004. Spyware problems continue to rise. Congress is stepping up to the
plate - but will its efforts be more effective than CAN-SPAM?
- Cleaning up your system by
David Strom August 27, 2004. Dealing with an infected computer by
re-formatting the hard disk and re-installing Windows.
- When Free Software Isn't
by Arik Hesseldahl in Forbes August 16, 2004. An introduction to
Adware.
- The Soft Invasion
by Walter Mossberg August 2004. Intro to Spyware and suggestions for dealing
with it.
- The Antivirus Defense-in-Depth Guide
from Microsoft August 2004 An overview of the types of malware and their risks, planning an effective
AntiVirus strategy for your organization, and responding quickly and effectively to infections or incidents when they occur.
- The Parasite Fight Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
by Jim Eshelman
- Bagle Worm Variant Slips Through Defenses
By Dennis Fisher in eWeek August 9, 2004. This one is really sneaky.
- Rooting Out Spyware
by Arik Hesseldahl in Forbes August 6, 2004.
- Yahoo Targets More than Spyware in Toolbar Release
in eWeek August 4, 2004
- Bigger Threats, Better Defense
From the June 2004 issue of PC World magazine. Tests of 16 security tools--firewalls, antivirus software, and
anti-spyware programs
- Patience, basic toolkit, updates to security can block spyware
by Mike Himowitz in the Baltimore Sun July 29, 2004. A must read.
- Fighting spyware
- Sources for fighting back By Mike Himowitz in the Baltimore Sun July 29, 2004.
- A Two-Pronged Spyware Defense
by Steve Bass in PC World magazine July 29, 2004 Keep the torrent of snooping software off your PC before and after it strikes.
- Spyware causing not-so-secret frustration
by Mike Himowitz in the Baltimore Sun July 22, 2004
- Us Like Spies How computer users
ask to be doomed to viruses and spyware. By Clive Thompson in Slate June 23,
2004
- Tips for removing spyware from your PC
AP June 22, 2004
- Techniques For Taking Out The Spytrash
About removing Spyware by Matt Hartley June 15, 2004
- Who's Seeding the Net With Spyware?
Young surfers pick up paychecks for posting misleading pitches with invasive
programs. Medill News Service June 15, 2004
- Beware of keystroke-logging
RATs! ZDNet June 7, 2004. About remote access Trojan Horse programs
- Spyware Explained
By Jonathan Read. May 28, 2004. at informit.com
- Help: I Got Hacked. Now What Do I Do?
by Jesper M. Johansson Security Program Manager Microsoft Corporation May 7, 2004
- Spyware in your Windows PC? Here's how to fight it
By Al Fasoldt May 16, 2004
- Spyware reaches epidemic levels, could be worse than viruses
by Al Fasoldt May 9, 2004.
- Spyware sneaks into the desktop
ComputerWorld May 3, 2004. Once viewed as simply a consumer desktop problem, Spyware
is increasingly viewed as a corporate liability that IT has to address.
- Nasty Malware Fouls PCs With Porn
By Michelle Delio in Wired April 30, 2004. About CoolWebSearch.
- How to Protect Your Computer from Spyware and Adware
By Jerry Honeycutt April 20, 2004. From the Microsoft Windows XP Expert Zone
web site.
- Next on FTC's hit list: Spyware
USA TODAY April 18, 2004.
- How To Stymie The Snoop In Your PC
By Stephen H. Wildstrom in Business Week April 5, 2004. It's legal to install Spyware
without consent. Three anti-Spyware programs are recommended.
- Spy Stoppers
PC Magazine March 2, 2004. Reviews of 15 anti-Spyware programs and How to Avoid Spyware
- Spybot Search
and Destroy 1.2 review PC Magazine March 2, 2004
- Spy Sweeper
2.2 from Webroot review PC Magazine March 2, 2004
- Thumbs Down for Spy Sweeper
(from Webroot) by Ed Bott January 23, 2004.
- Cloak and dagger inside the computer
Globe and Mail January 22, 2004.
- PC World magazine, Spyware
articles. Many dates.
- Help! I've Been Web-Jacked Network World, January 26, 2004.
Spyware is becoming more common, and getting harder to fight.
- AOL, EarthLink Plan Anti-Spying Software
The Washington Post January 6, 2004
- AOL fights Spyware
in coming software upgrade CNET News.com December 2, 2003
- Cookies and Spyware
by Rob Pegoraro in the Washington Post November 2, 2003
- Ghosts in Our Machines:
Background and Policy Proposals on the “Spyware” Problem Center for
Democracy and Technology November, 2003
- Trojan XL How to Get the Malicious Delude Program Out of Your Computer by Brendan I. Koerner
The Village Voice October 15, 2003
- 'Alias' bonus is spyware by another name
The Baltimore Sun September 25, 2003. About InterActual Player, a DVD
player.
- Gator Information Center at PC
Pitstop
- Antispyware maker hunts down Gator
CNET News.com September 9, 2003. interMute releases a new anti-spyware program
SpySubtract
- Despise 'Ware by Brendan I. Koerner
in the Village Voice. September 8, 2003. About WildTangent.
- Ad-Aware Let Us Down
Again Fred Langa in his LangaList newsletter. September 4, 2003
- New Battleground Over Web Privacy: Ads That Snoop. About Spyware and Adware.
by James Hagerty and Dennis Berman in the Wall Street Journal. August 27,
2003. Page 1.
- Spy Sweeper 2.1
A review by PC Magazine. September 2003
- Spyware Exposed
Stealth Software Programs Track Web-Users' Habits Susan Stone, National Public
Radio June 20, 2003
- Escape the Spyware Nightmare
How to get rid of Spyware and Adware. PC Magazine July 23, 2003
- Hotbar spyware program bedevils Windows and should be removed
By Al Fasoldt July 20, 2003
- Spyware
Invading user privacy SC magazine June 2003
- Pest Zappers.
A review of anti-Spyware programs. PC World magazine, May 29, 2003
- What you can do to get rid of spyware
by David Coursey of AnchorDesk May 5, 2003
- Spyware—It's lurking on your machine
PC Magazine April 22, 2003
- Adware, Spyware and other unwanted
"malware" - and how to remove them from cexx.org
- Spyware, Adware, and Peer-to-Peer Networks: The Hidden Threat to Corporate Security
by Kevin Townsend of Pest Patrol (consider the source) April 2, 2003
- New
Ad-aware Goes Pro. Version 6 of the ad-busting software comes in paid
editions that promise real-time protection. PC World magazine. March 4, 2003.
- All
about Ad-aware 6.0 Internet Tourbus Newsletter February 16, 2003
- Ad-aware review
by ZDNet February 14, 2003
- Sneaky Toolbar Hijacks Browsers
By Michelle Delio in Wired. January 30, 2003. About Xupiter.
- Ad-Aware Takes A Dive?
Fred Langa January 13, 2003
-
PC Spies at the Gate
NewsFactor Network January 2, 2003. Good introductory article
- Spybot
Search & Destroy review by CNet February 13, 2003. Reflects software from June 1, 2002.
- Trojans
- Combating Nonviral Malware. Information Security Magazine. by Jay Heiser
May 2002. Overview of Spyware, RATs, Zombies, Crackers, Sniffers, Keystroke
loggers, Peer to Peer applications and Logic Bombs.
- A law to protect Spyware. Senator Fritz Hollings is pushing a bill that supposedly safeguards online privacy -- but actually gives intrusive marketers a green light. April 26, 2002.
Salon magazine.
- PC invaders camp out in hard drives
CNet. April 18, 2002
- Get That #@&* Spyware Off My Computer!
Prevent Spyware from installing on your PC, remove Spyware already installed. March 2002 issue of PC World magazine
- The parasite economy
There's a new software business model in town -- symbiotic plug-ins that pay for the privilege of piggybacking on the hot download of the moment.
By Damien Cave in Salon. August 2, 2001
- Introduction
to Spyware January 2001 by Scot Finnie. Windows Insider newsletter.
- Introduction to Spyware from
Steve Gibson
- What is Spyware and Adware?
from Yahoo
- Spyware definition
from webopedia
- Hijacked How
to clean up after your web browser has been hijacked from geekgirls.com
Spyware Web sites TOP
Phony Anti-Spyware Programs (avoid these) TOP
- The Antispyware Conspiracy
by Mark Russinovich January 3, 2006. Some phony anti-Spyware products and web
sites are www.myspwarecleaner.com, Spyware Cleaner, Spyware Stormer,
www.spywarestorm.com and Spy Sherriff.
- Top 10 Rogue Antispyware
from Spyware Weekly Newsletter at spywareinfo.com December 30, 2005
- Top 10 rogue anti-Spyware
by Suzi Turner December 19, 2005. A ZDNet blog. The baddies are: Spyware Bomber,
SlimShield, WinAntiVirus and its companion WinAntiSpyware 2005, SpywareNo and its clone SpyDemolisher,
Razespyware, Spy Trooper, WorldAntiSpy, PSGuard, SpySheriff and SpyAxe.
- Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites by Eric L. Howes
- Fake
Spyware removal programs disabling PCs
Newsday August 8, 2004
- Spyware cures may cause more harm than good
By John Borland CNet February 4, 2004
Name That Spyware TOP
While the program lists below
focus on documenting malicious programs, see also the Startup
Programs section in my assorted links page for many other lists of programs,
focusing instead on those that normally run at startup time.
| Previous Update: March 15, 2007 |
|
Last Updated: February 5, 2010 |
| www.michaelhorowitz.com/malwarelinks.html |
Copyright 2001-2012 |
Copyright 2001-2012 |
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