6.2 Spyware Tools

        The list in this section of spyware removal tools is by no means final, but is meant to give you an overview of what they do and how to use them.

SpywareBlaster 

Spyware Blaster prevents the installation of spyware and other unwanted software. It is also free for personal and educational use, but – as in the case of most freeware programs - they appreciate donations to help with the time and upkeep of their site. 

You can choose one of the following locations on their site to download the program.

o       SpywareBlaster 3.6.1 from Download.com

o       SpywareBlaster 3.5.1 from MajorGeeks (USA and other locations)

o       SpywareBlaster 3.5.1 from TechSpot
SpywareBlaster 3.5.1 through the Coral Distribution Network

If one site is busy, try one of the others and just follow the instructions. They generally have a link that tells you to click on the Download Now. The instructions are clear, whichever site you choose. The download should start automatically in a few seconds.

o       Once it’s downloaded, update it to make sure you have the most recent version. To do this, just click on the “update” icon. If there are new updates, it will download and install them automatically.

o       Then click on the Protection button to start, of course, your browser protection.

o       If you see an Internet Explorer Security Alert, click on the link labeled "Click here to learn more and fix it."

o       If you don’t see that alert, just go to the next step.

o       Next, click on the Internet Explorer button. This takes you to a screen that allows you to make settings to your Internet Explorer browser that will stop it from running known malicious ActiveX programs as well as cookies that are known for being Spyware.

o       If you put a check mark in the checkbox labeled "Prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware,dialers,etc", your browser will no longer be able to run ActiveX programs specified in the Block List. This will automatically protect you from all ActiveX programs in the list. It is advised that you allow SpywareBlaster to protect you, so you should put a checkmark in this box.

o       If you want to remove protection from certain items, you can uncheck that particular item and click on the button "Remove Protection for Unchecked Items".

o       The checkbox labeled "Prevent spyware/tracking cookies", will stop your browser from accepting certain cookies specified in the Block List designated by the green box. By putting a checkmark in this box SpywareBlaster will automatically block all attempts for these types of cookies to be placed on your browser. It is advised that you allow SpywareBlaster to protect you, so you should put a checkmark in this box.

o       If you want to remove protection from certain items, you can uncheck that particular item and click on the button"Remove Protection for Unchecked Items."

o       You should now click on the button labeled "Restricted Sites". This will allow SpywareBlaster to restrict your browser from running Java, ActiveX, and other downloads from known malicious sites.

o       By placing a checkmark in the checkbox labeled "Restrict the actions of spyware/adware sites in Internet Explorer" SpywareBlaster will add all the domains listed in the Block List, designated by the blue box in Figure 5, into the Restricted Sites section of the Security tab in your Internet Explorer Internet Options. It is advised that you let SpywareBlaster add these sites to your Restricted Sites list by putting a checkmark in the box.

o       Once again, if you would like to remove one or more of the sites from being added, you can uncheck that particular site and click on the "Remove Protection for Unchecked Items" button.

SpywareBlaster has other tools built into its program, too.

System Snapshot

SpywareBlaster can take a snapshot, or backup, of certain settings in your browser and your registry. You can restore from this backup if need be. 

First, click on the System Snapshot button on the left to create a snapshot of your system. Select the radio button that is labeled, appropriately enough, "Create new System Snapshot.”  Label it something you will remember, make sure to check the "Append date + time”  and check the "Create Snapshot" button to continue. 

Click on the Finish button to have SpywareBlaster save settings from your computer in a database on your computer..  

If you ever want to restore from this backup, choose the System Snapshot section and then select the radio button for "Restore System to Saved Snapshot Point" and click on the Go button.  

You should click once on a snapshot to select it and then press the Next button. If there were any changes from your current settings to the ones saved, it gives you the option to restore them, otherwise it will tell you there was no difference.

Tools Section

Browser Pages: This tool allows you to change various Browser Pages such as your default Blank Page, or the default search page. Unless you know what you are doing, leave this alone. 

Hosts Safe: This tool should be used at least once to back up your HOSTS file. This file is commonly used by Hijackers. 

Misc IE Settings: With this tool you can disable Internet Tools control panel in your Control Panel. You should leave this one alone unless you have a good reason since you want to be able to use those tools occasionally.  

Flash Killer: This disables Flash files from being run within your browser. Leave this one alone, too.  

Custom Blocking: This allows you to add custom ActiveX CLSID's that you want to block from running on your computer. This should only be used by an advanced user.

Win Patrol

WinPatrol offers free version as well as a one time fee, paid version – WinPatrol Plus. The latter version helps support future development.

Installing WinPatrol is easy. Just click on Open to install, then Save so it goes on your hard drive. 

WinPatrol has Scotty the Windows Watch Dog on your system tray or task bar. Click on Scotty to find out what he’s learned about your computer. You’ll see additional feature if you hold down the right mouse button. 

You can either have Scotty the Windows Watch Dog installed so that you can always be running or you can hide his icon.

Script Defender

Script Defender is designed to protect against scripts that run in the background. These are often so dangerous that you don’t even have to open the link in the offending email to spread a worm. Sometimes you just have to open the email.

Because such scripts run in the background, it’s difficult to stop their action.  Script Defender installs interceptions for the most prominent script language file extensions. You can edit these lists, too, so you can remove any of them or add new extensions as you need.

Once the intercepts are installed, a warning window is brought up every time a file with one of the selected file extensions is run. You can choose to let the script go, or stop it before it’s even started.

Of course you’ve heard or experienced email viruses. Script Defender stops those, too, by refusing to execute the most common scripting types used in virus attacks, such as Visual Basic Scripting (.VBS) or Java Script (.JS). It can even be configured to intercept new script extensions.

Although it sounds complicated, it’s fairly simple to use.

<< Chapter 6.1 - Better Safe Surfing Not Sorry | Chapter 6.2 - How To Run Windows Update >>