A NEW SPY SWEEPER, NEW INTRUDER TRICKS, AND MORE

Spy Sweeper 3.0 has been released. And it’s quite an upgrade from version 2.6, the version I recommended.

From Webroot’s web site:

What’s New in Spy Sweeper v3.0?
� Active Shields proactively stop spyware before it infects your PC.
o Hijack Shield
o IE Favorites Shield
o Hosts File Shield
o Startup Shield
o Windows Messenger Service Shield
� Deeper spyware scans root out and quarantine even the trickiest spyware.
� Refined scan options and improved user interface.

I didn’t see any special upgrade price, so I paid $29.95 for the new version. I think its well worth the money.

Spy Sweeper catches intruders as they are launched from web sites or emails, and then pops up a message window telling you what its caught and asking you to run a scan to catch remnants its missed. Usually remnants are found.

Spy Sweeper is much faster than the previous version, completing a system wide scan in a few minutes.

Spy Sweeper warns you when favorites are added. It gives you the option of disallowing it. This can be intrusive when you are adding a favorite, but some intruders add favorites. If you go to one an army of intruders attempt to attack your computer.

Spy Sweeper warns you when your home page has been changed. It gives you the same options as with favorites.

The program digs more deeply into the file system and registry than the previous version.

It notifies you when Spyware attempts to run in your memory. Furthermore it shields the operating system from Spyware when it attempts to download, install or run on your PC. Of course it’s not perfect in this. Some will get through and have to be removed when you run your daily system scans.

Spy Sweeper 3.0 prevents redirected web searches. It stops malicious web sites from diverting you from a desired site to a malicious site. When using Windows Messenger Service (I believe all the messenger services are a monumental waste of time like solitaire and internet hearts) Spy Sweeper now protects you from malicious pop-ups which almost always attempt to install Spyware on your computer.

And last but not least, another new feature protects you against the addition of programs to the startup list without your permission.

I don’t want to suggest that the new version of Spy Sweeper secures your computer. Nothing secures your computer completely. If the IRS or the NSA are after you in particular, they can invade it. If a hacker has a grudge against you personally, you’re in for hard times. (That’s another reason to stay away from pirate forums. If you rub somebody the wrong way, you may invite an attack.)

The downside to the added safety is intrusion. Spy Sweeper 3.0 can be a pain in the – umm – neck. When it pops up a message box when you add a favorite, it can get on your nerves. If it catches an intruder operating in your memory, it asks you to close all programs. I rarely do. Usually Spy Sweeper catches it anyway. Sometimes it doesn’t. Often Spy Sweeper asks you to close all your Internet Explorer windows. Often I don’t.
On occasion it’ll ask you to reboot. I reboot now at least once a day, and run Spy Sweeper before opening any applications.

You can read all about the new version buy and download Spy Sweeper 3.0 at
www.webroot.com/

Now let’s take a look at the startup screen of the new version.

Notice the cursor on the Shields item in the menu on the left hand frame. If clicked you’ll see:

Here you can choose between security and annoyance. These are my selections. You can choose your own.

Let’s watch the new Spy Sweeper in action.

Spy Sweeper enabled me to find and remove Hot as Hell (porn) before ugly ads started popping up on my screen as well as ugly emails flowing into my inbox.

I suggest you buy it.

Now, briefly, I’d like to discuss a different threat. There’s a technique by which a malicious hacker can hijack web sites and insert ads or other features that appear daily.

Let me be specific. Not surprisingly, I read the Jerusalem Post online. Many articles contain advertisements. Here’s one that’s legit:

I don’t know how the malicious hackers do it, but they are able to insert phony ads in the same place. Here is an example:

Think twice before you click an ad. Is this really something that the Jerusalem Post would allow as an advertisement? There’s a slight difference between this and all legitimate ads. Notice the word advertisement in the upper right hand corner of the grayed in box. There’s no company name. The whole thing is suspicious, not up to normal business practices. Never click an ad before taking a second look. Dollars to donuts (for we old timers) that if you do, malicious code will immediately install, or you’ll be taken to a web page that’ll throw cookies and malicious code into your computer.

Here’s a slight variation on the technique:

Warning: Spyware Notice. That title should scare you away. Don’t click ‘No’ or the ‘X’ box at the left of the title bar. Either of them will do as above. Just ignore the hijacking.

All for this week.

Dennis Turner