Warnings & Stuff

*MaxTech Computer Services*
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LATEST THREATS....

>>> Beware of SpyAXE, a really nasty spyware and especially difficult to clean... will present itself as a Windows Security Update and as a popup saying you are infected and click a button to clean...DON'T...

WORM_KELVIR.CY Low Dec 6, 2005
BKDR_ZAPCHAST.BB Low Dec 6, 2005
WORM_AIMDES.E Low Dec 5, 2005
JS_ONLOADXPLT.A Low Dec 5, 2005
WORM_MYTOB.NH Low Dec 5, 2005
WORM_RONTOKBRO.Y Low Dec 5, 2005
BKDR_BREPLIBOT.M Low Dec 5, 2005
BKDR_BREPLIBOT.N Low Dec 4, 2005
TROJ_DANMEC.E Low Dec 4, 2005
SYMBOS_PBSTEAL.C Low Dec 2, 2005

SPYWARE, ADWARE, & VIRUS

Over time, your computer may begin to slow down. When browsing you have pop-up after pop-up and not able to get to sites you want to view. Strange occurances are happening, your system almost seems possessed....Well, IT MAY BE!

With the popularity of the Internet, we have seen that there are people from all walks of life and with all personalities, this includes good and bad people. The thieves and robbers of real life have found new territory to attack, innocent computer users throughout the Internet.

The most well known Internet attacks are Viruses. These are programs that replicate themselves and attempt to do damage to a computer and it's contents (or steals passwords, etc). There are many viruses out there and they have multiple methods of attack. Normally, you will notice odd email activity or see strange files popping up on your C drive or in your Windows folder.
Viruses are evil, plain and simple.

Spyware and Adware are normally clumped together as a group. They are programs that usually get installed as a hidden "feature" of other programs. the most common source is file sharing applications (Kazaa, etc).
These programs attempt to take over access to your Browser in order to point you to their web sites or contral the advertising that you see while online. These Spyware and Adware programs almost always track your online and offline activity (and sometimes your keystrokes) to send you targeted advertising.
Some new variants of Adware and Spyware make you look through a End-User License Agreement (EULA) that is bundled with something else. These agreements may be up to 30 pages long and contain confusing legal language that essentially states that you grant system access to these programs. Some of these EULAs actually go so far as to say that once installed, it violates the EULA to uninstall the software.

The side effects of Spyware and Adware are usually magnified when you go online. Many times, you may see slow activity while on dial-up and when a user upgrades to DSL or Cable Internet, their computer is completely out of control with numerous pop-ups and other activity. Your PC has been HIJACKED!!!

SPYWARE THREATS

Spyware threats come in different flavors. The spyware agent can be malware (modifies system settings, and can perform undesirable tasks on your system), hijacker (redirects your browser to web sites), dialer (dials a service, most likely porn sites, for which you are billed!), trojan horse (is attached to a program, and performs undesirable tasks on your system), collectware (collects information about you and your surfing habits).

In addition to doing a detailed check of your browser history, spyware can install DLLs and other executables files, send continuous data to the parent, leave a backdoor open for hackers to intercept your personal data or enter your computer, can install other programs directly on to your computer without your knowledge, can send/receive cookies to other spyware programs and invite them into your computer (even if you have cookies disabled), and they can add Trojan horses to your system. Most spyware and adware programs are independent executable files which take on the authorization abilities of the victim. They include auto install and auto update capabilities and can report on any attempts to remove or modify them.

Spyware programs can reset your auto signature, disable or bypass your uninstall features, monitor your keystrokes, scan files on your drive, access your applications, change homepages in addition to displaying advertising content online or offline. They can read, write and delete files and even reformat your hard drive and they do this while sending a steady stream of information back to the advertising and marketing companies. The majority of these programs once installed can not easily be deleted from your system by normal methods and often leave components behind to continue to monitor your behavior and reinstall themselves.

In addition to being included with software products some spyware programs can get installed on your computer while you surf the Internet!

SPYWARE CATEGORIES

Adware networks
The backbone for big time spyware are ad serving networks that pay publishers of games, utilities and music/video players per download, to include their ad serving programs.

Stalking horses
A number of programs that enable the adware networks to function on desktops are bundled in many popular programs and often (not always!) presented in installation disclosure screens as desirable add-ons to their Trojan horse hosts. All collect information.

Trojan horses
These popular Internet downloads usually come with the ad serving network basic software and at least one stalking horse.

Backdoor Santas
Stand-alone programs that incorporate similar approaches have no links to ad serving networks and collect information from users.

Cookies
Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer will still send out existing cookies even after disabling cookies in the browser settings. You must manually delete any/all cookie files on your system to eliminate being tracked by third-party ad networks or spyware or adware providers.

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