Blogspot helps spread spyware? 2:00 PM
Blog Tool Review: "Yikes! Blogspot Helps Spread Spyware When I first read this I thought how can this be? But really it isn't any different than surfing a bunch of bad websites on a webring. The problem comes in when you're using IE and you click the next blog link on the very top of a blogspot blog. Since Blogger allows you to modify your templates, some bloggers are inserting Javascript that trick readers to download unwanted software. If you publish your Blogger blog on your own webhost you shouldn't have to worry about this because this header bar is only present on Blogspot hosted blogs (see the top of this blog). Firefox users are free from this problem now... and really you should use it. I've been using it for over a year before it was known as Firefox and love it. It also helps me shave off a lot of time using convenient extensions but I'll save that for another time :-)" As you may have noticed, Spyware is Evil does not have the header bar, so no worries here. ;)
Why did I get infected in the first place? 11:23 AM
Simple answers here, watch what websites you surf, and what programs you download. Shady websites like to install spyware with out you knowing, and those free programs you like so much may also contain spyware. Here's a good tip for Internet Explorer users. Wilders Security Forums - Why did I get infected in the first place: 1) Watch what you download! Many freeware programs, and P2P programs like Grokster, Imesh, Kazaa and others are amongst the most notorious, come with an enormous amount of bundled spyware that will eat system resources, slow down your system, clash with other installed software, or just plain crash your browser or even Windows itself. 2) Go to IE > Tools > Windows Update > Product Updates, and install ALL Security Updates listed. It's important to always keep current with the latest security fixes from Microsoft. Install those patches for Internet Explorer, and make sure your installation of Java VM is up-to-date. There are some well known security bugs with Microsoft Java VM which are exploited regularly by browser hijackers. 3) Go to Internet Options/Security/Internet, press 'default level', then OK. Now press 'Custom Level.' In the ActiveX section, set the first two options Download SIGNED ActiveXcontrols) to 'prompt', and download UNSIGNED ActiveX controls to disable and 'Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe' to 'disable'. Now you will be asked whether you want ActiveX objects to be executed and whether you want software to be installed. Sites that you know for sure are above suspicion can be moved to the Trusted Zone in Internet Option/security. So why is activex so dangerous that you have to increase the security for it? When your browser runs an activex control, it is running an executable program. It's no different from doubleclicking an exe file on your hard drive. Would you run just any random file downloaded off a web site without knowing what it is and what it does?"
 I hate it! 8:11 AM

Ok, after months of really thinking about doing a blog dedicated to my hate towards spyware, I've finally got off my butt and done it. Being a IT manager and dealing with computers everyday, I thought the worst thing we saw were viruses and spam, but I was wrong. Spyware is such a pain in the ass, it's not even funny, and unfortunately there isn't a one for all program that handles spyware. I've had to use several programs to combat spyware. People don't realize how they get spyware, or how to prevent it. Hopefully this blog will answer some of your questions, and my goal is to give everyone a FREE solution to combating spyware, viruses, etc. I'm definitely not here to sell or endorse products for my own benefit. Enjoy!