Spyware roundup

Hidden bits of code known as spyware may be broadcasting your innermost secrets to the world. Here's how to put a stop to it.

		Spyware Spyware commentary Lavasoft Ad-aware McAfee AntiSpyware 2005 Microsoft Antispyware (beta) Spybot Search and Destroy Spyware Doctor Webroot Spy Sweeper Spyware glossary Spyware FAQ

Call it what you will - spyware, adware, malware, tracking software, spybots, key loggers, diallers -- these hidden bits of code may be sharing your personal information without your consent. If you did not knowingly install it, or if the application did not come with an explicit, detailed description of its intended purpose that you read, understood and agreed to (one that gathers your information and sends it back to another party with your authorisation), then it is malicious spyware.

With the advent of more connected and dynamic Web sites, those with malicious intent have seized on the opportunity to develop small applications that surreptitiously install themselves on users' systems. These apps can come as part of shareware or freeware programs or from popular peer-to-peer file sharing applications. They can even be innocuously downloaded during regular browsing of some sites (this is known as drive-by downloads), or delivered in the payload of an e-mail attachment (as with worms or viruses).

Once installed, more insidious spyware might monitor your keystrokes and wait for pre-programmed strings to be typed, such as a URL for a banking site. Subsequent keystrokes are then recorded and sent back to the coder's home. After that, you can basically kiss your hard earned cash goodbye.

You might assume that your traditional antivirus application vendors are looking out for you and protecting you against this malicious code. But most antivirus vendors are at a loss to protect you from this type of attack as antivirus engines cannot protect against what may appear to them to be a legitimate application -- one you have authorised to be installed. However, some antivirus application vendors are bringing additions or further applications to the market to control these new threats.

Ultimately, protection from spyware comes down to control of your desktop. The best way to deal with it is through a personal firewall that can pick up and identify applications that cause data to go back out to the Internet (perhaps without your knowledge) and notify you of this attempted traffic.

Unfortunately, this type of system is too often ignored and/or switched off simply because of the overwhelming amount of notifications being generated. On top of that, the smarter spyware apps use commonly open ports, so unless a system is configured to match applications with ports, there is a good chance the data will get out regardless.

So how can you find out whether your machine is infected? We look at six antispyware apps that will scan your PC and remove these pests.

Lavasoft Ad-aware If you're a penny-pincher, the free version of Ad-aware 6.0 is a good choice for spyware protection.

McAfee AntiSpyware 2005 McAfee's AntiSpyware 2005 does a good job of spyware removal, if you can get past its IE-centric model and clunky update features.

Microsoft Antispyware (beta) Microsoft offers its first, free antispyware app, and so far it looks good.

Spybot Search and Destroy Spybot Search and Destroy is adaptable for both beginning and power users, and it's a great way to keep your home PC free of spyware. Best of all -- it's free.

Spyware Doctor With its quick scanning and multiple tools for stopping malware before it infects your computer, Spyware Doctor is a solid spyware remover.

Webroot Spy Sweeper If you're unsure about the applications installed on your PC -- or know for a fact you've got a few bits of shady software hanging around -- then Spysweeper is a good buy, once you get past the speed issues.