Do we REALLY stand a chance against Spyware?
Thread Starter
even ants need some lovin'
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 165
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From: Kent, UK.
Do we REALLY stand a chance against Spyware?
Here's a strange one:
We recently installed some commonly available software to keep an eye on our kid's net surfing habits. This software records all URLs visited, and its key logging facility records everything typed. Cleverly, it is invisible in that it doesn't appear in the Programme Files folder or the Start folder! (how do they do that?).
Anyway, knowing that the programme is in essence SPYWARE, I was shocked that McAfee antispyware along with ZoneAlarm Pro and Spybot Search & Destroy completely failed to flag it up when installing it or when running a check. What??
If this one is undetectable, then what chance do we have against the really malicious stuff we may inadvertantly download onto our systems?
We recently installed some commonly available software to keep an eye on our kid's net surfing habits. This software records all URLs visited, and its key logging facility records everything typed. Cleverly, it is invisible in that it doesn't appear in the Programme Files folder or the Start folder! (how do they do that?).
Anyway, knowing that the programme is in essence SPYWARE, I was shocked that McAfee antispyware along with ZoneAlarm Pro and Spybot Search & Destroy completely failed to flag it up when installing it or when running a check. What??
If this one is undetectable, then what chance do we have against the really malicious stuff we may inadvertantly download onto our systems?
Too mean to buy a long personal title
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,981
Likes: 13
From: UK
I'll bet that the program you use is something which, although has some of the characteristics of spyware, is known to be benign and is therefore not in the database of "bad" programs that need to be detected and removed.
Last edited by Globaliser; 2nd February 2007 at 11:00. Reason: Usual finger trouble, sorry.
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
From: EuroGA.org
The major AV programs don't detect stuff like spyware. One can get specialised detectors for those, but a known commercial product may be undetected deliberately.
There is just one comprehensive anti spyware solution: don't use the internet, other than going to a known good site, whose URL is either typed in or selected from Favourites (having been originally typed in). If you use a PC for online banking, don't run any Micro$oft email program on it, and definitely do not allow children or (especially) teenagers on it.
Applying all the latest M$ patches is also v. important.
There is just one comprehensive anti spyware solution: don't use the internet, other than going to a known good site, whose URL is either typed in or selected from Favourites (having been originally typed in). If you use a PC for online banking, don't run any Micro$oft email program on it, and definitely do not allow children or (especially) teenagers on it.
Applying all the latest M$ patches is also v. important.
