Spyware Information

This section is of our site is about the worst thing to happen to computers since the development of the processor. Spyware/adware is the software on your computer that creates most of the popup ads you get. It also can send information about you to various less than legal websites. Some of it can go out onto the web and search for more annoying spyware to put on your machine without you knowing. Worst of all, it just plain slows down your entire computer - because it uses up valuable memory all the time.

Although I would consider viruses a bad thing, there are many companies out there dedicated to eliminating computer viruses. For the most part, they are successful. But, of course, there are some viruses that are more easily detected and eliminated with one product than with another.

Although antivirus companies have now started including spyware detection in their antivirus software, they are really more concerned with viruses, worms and Trojan horses. The spyware detection is more of an afterthought.

There are, now, a bunch of different software companies creating software to rid your system of spyware. Some of these programs are pretty decent, but there is no single one I would call "good". Every one of these programs will miss some of the spyware left on your machine. Using a combination of three or four of these programs once a week will definitely keep your machine cleaner for longer, but I have found some spyware programs that had to be removed manually. No spyware removal program that I tried would get this software out of the computer. Luckily, unlike most of you, I have all day to test different methods of removal, so I've found out how to get rid of some pretty nasty stuff.

For day to day maintenance, I would recommend you download and install at least one or two removal programs. I like Ad-Aware SE Personal v. 1.05 as it is pretty easy to use. Just make sure you change the setting from Perform Smart System Scan to Perform Full System Scan. Yes, it misses stuff, but as I said above, they all do. The other one I tend to recommend is the SpyBot Search and Destroy v. 1.3. What I like about this one is the immunization feature. When you immunize your machine, SpyBot puts an entry in your registry that stops your computer from going to about 2000 well known spyware infested sites. That way, even if you do manage to get infected with spyware, the infecting program can't go out onto the web to get more spyware from any of these sites.

Below, I've put some links to articles about spyware. As many of you may have popup blockers on your machines, these will not open new windows, so you will have to hit the "Back" button to come back and look at any of the other articles.

CNews Four Part Series November 3, 2004
CTV News Article November 2, 2004
CTV News Article October 25, 2004.
CTV News Article September 3, 2004
CTV News Article May 22, 2004
CTV Search Page (Video)*
PC Magazine April 22, 2003

If you are having trouble with your computer (it's a lot slower than a few months ago, you keep getting popup ads, your homepage keeps changing) then please give us a call at 920-4418. Our Spyware Removal package is a flat rate of $74.99 plus GST and can usually be completed in 24-48 hours.

Please send questions or comments to dave@bowcomp.com.

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