Found some cool anti-spyware software

Jstas

Go to this site:

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/downloads.html

You need to download and install

SpywareBlaster
MRU-Blaster
SpywareGuard

I've been having problems with IE exploits **** up my internet connection with MRU programs running in the background. That MRU-Blaster will periodically scan and remove such programs. Very worth it!

bobman1235

Doesn't.... um... doesn't MRU just scan for "Most Recently Used?" I just know when my spyware programs come up wtih "MRU" it's just telling me that a program is saving a list of my most recently used files, which some people find to be in bad taste, but is in reality pretty harmless.

Just curious, it coudl mean two things.

PolkThug

I like MRU's. That way you don't have to hunt for files that you use often.

Jstas

Yeah, MRU's have been mostly harmless in the past but there are modules hidden on websites now that exploit the quick launching ability of an application in the MRU list to blow up a pop-up in your face or try and start a Direct X connection to a website to load spyware/adware that can not only push pop ups but stream other data including data miners which follow your every move on the internet. The thing that sucks about this is that it kills your bandwidth and you won't necessarily be able to see what process are doing because they aren't always running on your computer. If they are running on your computer, a large portion of them are usually programs you've come to know and "love" like Microsoft's Internet Explorer or Microsoft Word.

They aren't necessarily a threat to your privacy or security of your system, they are more of a nuisance/hidrance concerning how much of your available bandwidth you are actually getting to use. I've found a few trojan downloaders and software from a company called MarketTools on my systems eating up bandwidth and CPU cycles doing nothing but recording mouse clicks and in some cases, keystrokes. They weren't doing anything but building formatted files to send somewhere with demographic info but the thing is, if they have a vulnerability or exploit available in them, someone with intentions beyond being nosey could take advantage of such things and compromise your system and easily get around things like firewalls and virus checkers. All they need is an open port and if this **** software is out there opening these ports to transmit this info, that's the open window they are looking for.

Granted, the average schmuck out there doesn't even register on the radar screen of someone looking for money, information or whatever other ill-gotten gains but the possibility is there and the easier the target, the more likely it is to be hit.

You don't have to install the software. Personally, I don't ever use the MRU stuff. I try to keep files organized in a way that I can easily find them without a recently accessed list or a searching function. That just stems from my UNIX experience. This works out for me so it works for me and I'm just passing it on. I have a problem with people using the hardware and bandwidth that I purchase with my hard earned money to make a buck for themselves. Kinda irks me.

bobman1235

Good to know, th anks for the info

AsSiMiLaTeD

Are these programs better than something like AdAdare or Spybot?

Jstas

Here you go, read this:

http://it.slashdot.org/it/05/12/30/1310243.shtml?tid=220&tid=109&tid=172

It's a good example of how things like MRU's and supposedly passive functions in common programs are being exploited to screw you over.






IMO, nothing replaces the AdAware SE and Spybot: Search and Destroy duo. Together, I have yet to have anything get past them.

The Spywareblaster runs in the background on your system and blocks malacious programs that try to change the settings on your DirectX controls to allow free access to outside programs. It provides tighter controls than Spybot or AdAware can provide and Spybot even recommends that you run and use it under the "Immunize" tab of it's tool. That is function everyone should be using too.

SpywareGuard is an active program that helps keep Spyware from being installed on your system. It is added, more in-depth, specific functionality for combating spayware. It takes up next to nothing in processor time and other system resources.

MRU-Blaster has already been discussed.

For me, these programs added functionality that I was looking for. They may not for others and it's entirely up to you. I use them, from what I have seen, I like them. The really nice part is that it keeps me from having to do excessive and repetative work. I get called by quite a few people to service thier computer systems because they think they need new hardware when all it is is crap they picked up from the ****, online casino and silly little game sites. I spend hours cleaning thier systems off because they don't. It's frustrating, boring and outright mind-numbing. So any free software I can find to help limit my time doing such mundane tasks for people who refuse to learn, I will embrace and gladly proclaim the virtues of on every forum, chatroom and website I can.

That and I have been waging my own little war on the spammers and ad/spyware generators for the past 5 years.