From Spyware with Love!

It's late. You've been scouring the web for that perfect present for your Aunt Bess in Idaho. You finally find it at presents4aunties.com. The site looks a little rough on the edges, weird colors and such. But they have that gift you know will make Aunt Bess add you to her will. You purchase the gift, log off and head to bed. Tired but happy.

The next day, coffee in hand, you turn on your computer. That's strange you say, it's awfully slow this morning. Finally it's booted and ready to go. You open your browser to check the Cow Tipping Blog for the latest posts. What's this you say, My Homepage is now longer the Blog, but a site trying to sell me a DVD of the Smurfs vs. the Terminator! Oh well you say, not quite fully awake. You type in the URL for your Blog and wait. And wait, and wait. Finally it's up! You start to read the mornings postings. You're into the second post about the upcoming Cow Tipping Championship in Vegas when a Popup appears and says you need to go to heartburngone.com for the new revolutionary cure for heartburn. Click here now it says and receive a free gift, the secret cure for Baldness! Weird you think, you click the X to close it. You don't realize by clicking the X that a small hidden piece of code has just been downloaded to your computer. You finish the Blog postings and decide to check your Bank Account. You type in the URL and wait, and wait. Finally the Bank Logon appears. You log in, completely unaware of the code, which is actually a Keylogger, is recording your every keystroke. The Transaction is there for Aunties gift, you're so happy. You log off and remember you forgot to email that document for your Boss. That's ok you say, I can log in from here and send it! Technology is so great ! You log into your work portal and access your email program, find the document, attach it to the email form and send it. You vaguely remember it had something to do with the updated personal info list for all of the employees at your job. It includes their Addresses, email addresses and Direct Deposit Account numbers, also their Logon Names and Passwords to access the Computers at work. Darn you say as another Popup appears, what's wrong with this computer?

Well at least you didn't forget the Bosses Document. Wouldn't want to get in trouble with the Boss. You've a great job, working for the Trans Global Bank after all. Offices all over the world don't you know. Well time to check your Anti-Virus program for updates. Hmmm it says no updates kneeded. You notice the miss-spelling but what the heck, those things happen. Geez the computer is really slow! You decide to reboot, hoping that will fix it. Gripes, now it won't even boot! At least there's a little extra money in the ole Bank Account to get it fixed. The above is fiction. No animals were harmed. But it's scary huh to think it could happen. Granted it's a worse case scenario, but I wonder...

Be smart out there people, learn how to use your Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware programs. Keep them updated, and it they don't work well for your surfing habits, find programs that will. Keep your computer protected, your well being may depend on it.

About the Author: Doug Woodall has a website at http://www.spywarebiz.com There he provides free information and recommended products to combat Spyware. He is a member of the IWA (International Webmasters Association) Article edited for proper content by Wendy McCallum Permission to copy ok as long as about author info remains with article.

Copyright 2005 SpywareBiz

---

How To Clean the Spies In Your Computer?

Manual Spy Bot Removal > BookedSpaceBookedSpace is an Internet Explorer... Read More

Computer Viruses and Other Nasties: How to Protect Your Computer from These Invaders

Can you protect your computer from all possible viruses and... Read More

Is Your Email Private? Part 1 of 3

In a word, no - an email message has always... Read More

Viruses and Worms, Protection from Disaster

Virus damage estimated at $55 billion in 2003. "SINGAPORE -... Read More

Money Mule Email Scam Hits U.S.

Imagine this ? you open up your email box and... Read More

The Important Steps To Protect Your Kids on the Internet

Internet is the ocean of knowledge. In this ocean you... Read More

Road Warrior At Risk: The Dangers Of Ad-Hoc Wireless Networking

Airport Menace: The Wireless Peeping Tom As a network... Read More

Burning Bridges is Bad, But Firewalls are Good

When you signed up for that ultra-fast DSL or Cable... Read More

The Truth About Hiding Your Tracks on the Internet

Ok, ok, I know you've seen them. All those pop... Read More

Phishing

Recently I have received email from my bank/credit Card Company,... Read More

Is Spyware Watching You?

Imagine my surprise when I received a phone call from... Read More

What is Hacking? Are You a Hacker?

WHAT IS HACKING?Hacking, sometimes known as "computer crime" has only... Read More

Identity Theft Article ? A Phisher Is Trying To Steal Your Identity!

Sooner or later everyone with an email account will receive... Read More

Protection for Your PC - Painless and Free!

Viruses, Bugs, Worms, Dataminers, Spybots, and Trojan horses. The Internet... Read More

How To Cover Your Tracks On The Internet

Every single time you access a website, you leave tracks.... Read More

Is The Internet Over Regulated

Today's Internet or World Wide Web is being over regulated.But,... Read More

I Spy...Something Terribly Wrong (In Your Computer)

This really chapped my lips...I recently bought a new computer.... Read More

Be Aware of Phishing Scams!

If you use emails actively in your communication, you must... Read More

How Spyware Blaster Can Protect Your Computer From Harm

By browsing a web page, you could infect your computer... Read More

Watch Out For That Scam

The IFCC (Internet Fraud Complaint Center) received over 200,000 complaint... Read More

DOS Attacks: Instigation and Mitigation

During the release of a new software product specialized to... Read More

What to Look for before You Purchase Spyware Software

Huge number of spyware software applications are available in the... Read More

Viruses, Trojans, and Spyware - Oh My!

Have you ever had to call Symantec or McAfee to... Read More

Reporting Internet Scams

When it comes to reporting Internet scams most of us... Read More

Network Security 101

As more people are logging onto the Internet everyday, Network... Read More

Dont Miss Information Because of Misinformation

It has been said that with the wealth of information,... Read More

Are They Watching You Online?

When surfing the Internet you probably take your anonymity for... Read More

Make Money Online - Defend Against The Latest Scam

First, let's do a little recap'. As I stated in... Read More

Spyware, This Time Its Personal!

First the basic definition of Spyware: It is a type... Read More

Spyware ? Your Web Browser is the Culprit!

My first experience with a spyware BHO based infection was... Read More

Lottery Scam, What It is and how to Avoid It?

Internet scams and frauds are on the rise! The quantity... Read More

New CipherSend Online Security Service Thwarts Email Address Theft And Soothes Password Fatigue

In 1997, I decided after 15 years as a practicing... Read More

Protecting Your Children On The Internet

If you are a parent, as am I, I think... Read More