PCinfospace

AVG is no longer safe. Fake Anti-Virus programs have figured out how to get around its protection. These fake programs are spy-ware and can steel your identity or badly damage your computer.

Let’s first say, that it is not the typical spider that you have in your home.  It does not have legs and it is not an insect.

There may be numerous definitions to this term.   However,  when it comes to the Internet it sort of is a creepy crawly thing.  It is a software program that crawls or works it way through the internet and scans web pages and stores information about each page.  These programs are automated and are normally called “Bots” for a reason.  They can be programmed to do whatever the programmer tells them to do.  As an example: they can be programmed to look for specific files, video, or even images.  They can even look for contact information if they are programmed to do so.

The Good Thing

If you have a web page the spider will crawl the page.  This information can be stored so that search engines can find the site easier.  If your site has the right criteria,  it will appear closer to the top of the search page.  The closer it is to the top, the more likely somebody will click on it to read and buy what you have to sell. 

The Bad Part

Unfortunately,  spammers and scammers take advantage of this technology.  They write spiders (known as bots) to gather your personal data.  This data can be used against you by either spamming (unwanted e-mails or web sites) you or by sending you spyware that will continue to gather information about you.  This information can become identity theft if used for illegal means.

What Should You Do?

The main thing to do is keep your computer protected by having high-quality Anti-virus and spyware programs.  DO NOT take a chance.  The evil-doers of this world are highly aggressive and literally don’t care how they hurt you.  Also, do not go to porn or other high risk sites.  These sites only need to be opened to spread these unwanted threats to your computer.

Removal of Spyware and Malware

When it comes to computer repair, numerous spyware and Malware programs have been raising havoc for most people that have Internet access.  If a spyware or Malware program is suspected, special software is used to remove the threat.  This makes it even more important to have updated Anti-virus and spyware programs.  If spyware or Malware does get through, it is sometimes necessary to totally reformat the hard drive.  If this is necessary some personal information and vital programs can be lost.

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What is it?

It is best described by using a definition:

A rootkit is a software system that consists of a program or combination of several programs designed to hide or obscure the fact that a system has been compromised. Contrary to what its name may imply, a rootkit does not grant a user administrator privileges, as it requires prior access to execute and tamper with system files and processes. An attacker may use a rootkit to replace vital system executables, which may then be used to hide processes and files the attacker has installed, along with the presence of the rootkit. Access to the hardware, e.g., the reset switch, is rarely required, as a rootkit is intended to seize control of the operating system. Typically, rootkits act to obscure their presence on the system through subversion or evasion of standard operating system security scan and surveillance mechanisms such as anti-virus or anti-spyware scan. Often, they are Trojans as well, thus fooling users into believing they are safe to run on their systems. Techniques used to accomplish this can include concealing running processes from monitoring programs, or hiding files or system data from the operating system. Rootkits may also install a "back door" in a system by replacing the login mechanism (such as /bin/login) with an executable that accepts a secret login combination, which, in turn, allows an attacker to access the system, regardless of changes to the actual accounts on the system.

Rootkits may have originated as regular applications, intended to take control of a failing or unresponsive system, but in recent years have been largely malware to help intruders gain access to systems while avoiding detection. Rootkits exist for a variety of operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS, and Solaris. Rootkits often modify parts of the operating system or install themselves as drivers or kernel modules, depending on the internal details of an operating system’s mechanisms.

How do you know you have one of these very aggressive Virus tools?

You will not be able to complete a Virus scan successfully.  It is trying to protect itself from deletion.  Some Anti-Spyware programs may find them but may not be able to get rid of them.  These are deeply embedded in the operating system and may have already done their damage by the time you suspect there is a problem.

What should you do?

Mainly do not wait.  You most likely will need to reload the entire operating system.  They are the carriers of Trojan horse viruses and worms as well as other devastating attacks on your computer and your privacy.  If you do nothing your computer may come to a screeching halt.  You may have your passwords for vital accounts (such as banking) compromised.  Entire bank accounts have been emptied by using this method. If you have a program that will take one of these nasty visitors don’t bet it’s gone.  It may propagate (multiply) and then resurface at a later time. I don’t play around with these.  Just do it right and you won’t have to do it over.

If you do reload your system don’t forget to back up your data.  Once you have it backed up reload your computer and reinstall a good updated Anti-Virus program.  Now scan the files you had backed up before you put them back in the current system.  They may be the source of the virus to start with.

SPAM  is junk mail.  Certainly it is mail you don’t need or want.  It is an attempt by the sender to get your attention at all cost to you.  It may be trying to get you to buy something or even sell something.  It offers deals too good to be true.  It may attempt to get your personal information.  In fact this is now the number one threat.  It may (and often times does) carry a virus or spyware program that can damage your computer or obtain your personal information.

How do I get these to start with?

There is no one good answer to this. However, e-mail is the number one way. If you enter a so- called “bad site” (one that is infected) you may get a program that generates these unwanted visitors.  What is worse is you might spread them to others through email and/or infected files that are passed from one person to another. This is especially true if you are networked together like many are in small and large companies.  In larger companies the Virus or spyware program may reside on the server and infect every computer on the network and cause a large amount of damage before it is even detected. These “bad guys” can happen at anytime under any circumstance.

How can I protect myself?

Stay away from sites that may contain infections.  These are normally sites that contain unacceptable or even illegal materials. Don’t open e-mails that you don’t recognize.  Don’t send jokes or chain letters.  These are known to carry these unwanted programs. The main thing is to buy the best anti-virus and anti-spyware program you can afford.  Many companies combine these two types of programs.

Is there anything I have to do with anti-virus programs?

Yup! You need to make sure they are always up to date and activated.  If you let your program expire it will not protect you.  This is exactly what the virus writers are hoping for. By keeping your program current you protect yourself against the latest threats.  You need to totally replace the program as often as you can.  Each program has updates that will help you protect your computer. Be sure to scan your computer at least once per week and check for updates to the program. Don’t let the cost of the program be a road block to protection.

How do I know if I am infected?

You may start getting a lot of unknown and unacceptable mail.  Normally you also get a lot of pop ups.  It might even drive you crazy.  The computer usually slows way down.  It might be hard to get any work done because of this.  If you can not send or receive mail or get into the internet you may be infected.

What is a SCAM and how is it related to SPAM?

Normally SPAM is a SCAM.  SPAM is the vehicle of transport. The writer is secretly trying to get you to do something you don’t want to. They can obtain information they can use to commit identity theft or other illegal activity.  They may be trying to gain access to your money by planting a virus in your computer that will gather your personal information and then send it to the sender at a given time and place.  Entire bank accounts have been emptied using this method.

Some SCAMs have claimed that they are seeking money so they can get to the US etc.  They play on your sympathy.

You should report any SCAMs you think are real rip offs to your local authorities.

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I see people confuse these all the time.

Storage is the amount of space available on the hard drive that stores any programs, file or information you have. You absolutely must have enough storage capability not only to store your files but also to run programs. If you have been storing pictures, music, word documents or any other data it does take space. Eventually you will reach the limit that the hard drive can store. With XP and above it will normally warn you when you get close to the limit. By luck most of the hard drives that are installed today are fairly large and can normally hold all the files you will ever be able to create. However, if you store large amount of large files it can happen that you could run out.

What if I run out of space?

First of all do not neglect any warnings you get. If the drive reaches a certain point it may not boot. This is because programs need some space for temporary files that make them work. This also includes the operating system. Your options are numerous. You could take the information (such as pictures) and move them to a CD or DVD. You could buy a USB drive (recommended) and start moving your pictures or other data to that drive. Although you could have another internal drive installed, I feel it is way too much work and may be expensive now that there are USB drives. You will need to know if you have a ATA or SATA drive if you plan to put in an internal drive. If you don’t know how to install a second drive you may need to pay somebody to do it. With a USB drive you just plug it into a USB port and you’re done. You can also use a Flash drive if you don’t have too many files. However, they do manufacture them up to 16 GIG which will store quite a bit of data. These Flash drives increase in storage size and decrease in price all the time. If you want to transport files from point to point this is the only way to go.

What about RAM?

First and foremost it is NOT storage. It is also called memory. It does not have any ability to store any information of any kind. It is your working space or where programs go to do the work you need to do. If you even type a letter it takes RAM working in the background to get any work of any kind done. If your computer runs slow or you are have a hard time opening program, you may need more RAM. The cheapest and fastest upgrade you can do is to add more RAM. This will let programs load faster and you will be able to get more productivity. In the event more RAM does not help speed things up, there could be other problems such as a Virus or Spyware. There could be a hardware problem also.

If you are low on RAM, programs will try to use the Hard drive instead (known as paging). That is why things slow down. This is especially a problem if you are lacking hard drive space. This is referring to virtual memory and it can be adjusted although it is beyond the scope of this article.