Diagnosing the bug

Spyware, virus protection programs just what doctor ordered

Joyzelle Davis, Rocky Mountain News

Published September 10, 2007 at midnight

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If your computer is connected to the Internet, you're vulnerable to viruses, spyware and other cyber cretins.

Nearly nine out of 10 of all consumer PCs are infected with an average of 30 pieces of spyware, according to a report released last year by Boulder-based Webroot Software. Spyware can range from relatively benign cookies that track what sites a user visits to keylogging programs that can steal passwords and financial information.

"People should feel legitimately concerned," Webroot CEO Peter Watkins said.

But doing something about it is another matter. Seventeen percent of computer users have not installed virus protection software, and nearly twice as many don't use software to block or remove spyware, a recently released Consumer Reports survey found.

Yet there's a plethora of programs to protect personal computers, ranging from all-in-one spyware, virus and firewall packages that cost $80 to an a la carte assortment of free services.

All of the products mentioned pertain to Windows-based PCs, which comprise the vast majority of computers sold in the U.S. and are the primary target of viruses and spyware, collectively known as "malware."

What is spyware?

Any software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually for advertising purposes.

Spyware can be inadvertently downloaded from Web sites, e-mail messages, instant messages and file-sharing programs.

Telltale signs: sluggish computer performance, unauthorized changes to your Internet browser's default browser and incessant pop-up ads that are unrelated to the page you're looking at.

Sophisticated spyware generally doesn't betray any symptoms, so the best way to detect it is to run an anti-spyware product.

What is a virus?

A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without permission or knowledge of the user. Some viruses are programmed to damage programs, delete files or reformat the hard disk.

The days when the "Melissa" and "I love you" viruses were breaking news on CNBC are over, but that doesn't mean a cure has been found.

Like Spyware, viruses can slow your systems to a crawl.

CNET's Security Center, McAfee's Recent Threats page and TrendMicros's Top 10 Security Threats page all keep track of the latest viruses, as do removal tools.

The fixes

All-in-one solutions

• What they are: The suites contain the PC protection triumvirate: anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewalls. Firewalls help prevent hackers from gaining access to your PC. Software manufacturers include Trend Micro, Check Point and McAfee.

• Pros: Many of the programs include extras like file backup and spam protection. The software updates automatically without prompting the user to download the latest fixes. Having all the software bundled into one program keeps it simple.

• Cons: Most suites require at least 1 gigabyte of memory. The suites typically cost at least $50 to buy and an additional $30 to renew the yearly subscription.

Tackling each threat individually

• What they are: The best product for each specific threat, such as Web-root's Spy Sweeper and Symantec's Norton AntiVirus.

• Pros: This approach lets you pick and choose among the highest-rated software for each problem. Most companies offer dedicated customer service on the phone and via e-mail.

• Cons: Can be more expensive than an all-in-one suite, depending on what you choose. You also have to keep track of the subscriptions for individual programs.

Free Internet solutions

• What they are: You can shield your computer from malware without spending a cent by downloading solutions like Microsoft's Windows Defender, Grisoft's AVG Free Edition, Alwil Software's Avast Home Edition and AdAware.

• Pros: No cost.

• Cons: No telephone technical support and requires that users be comfortable installing and uninstalling software on their PC. Make certain that you're sticking to well-known names and that you're downloading the programs from a trusted source like CNet or links given through PC Magazine. Otherwise, that similar-sounding name might actually be spyware in disguise.

Do's and don'ts

Each approach has pluses and minuses, but there are things you can do to maximize the benefit of each one.

• Keep your anti-spyware and anti-virus subscription up to date.

• You know those pesky warnings from Microsoft to install a new Windows update? Don't ignore them. Hackers are always picking at ways to find security holes in Windows, and Microsoft is constantly responding with patches to fix any loopholes.

• Be careful where you visit: Adult content and gambling sites are particularly rife with spyware.

• Just because a Web site pops up during an Internet search doesn't mean that it's safe to download file-sharing software or other programs.

• That said, even the best-known Internet sites can have loopholes that leave them vulnerable to attack. Webroot's threat center has found more than 4.2 million kinds of malware while trolling through Web sites in the past 1 1/2 years alone. Spyware creators "are constantly probing Web sites for weaknesses, and there's always the risk of human error," Webroot CEO Peter Watkins said.

• The advice your parents gave you applies to the Internet as well: Avoid strangers. If someone you don't know sends you an e-mail, don't open any attachments or click on any links.

Web sites

Anti-virus and spyware downloads

download.com/Antivirus- Firewall-Spyware/?tag=dir

pctools.com

Threat research centers

• Webroot Threat Research Center for Spyware

research.spysweeper.com/?id=H2-USEFUL_Links-TR

• McAfee's security alerts

mcafee.com/us/threat _center/default.asp

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