visiting websites of some of those new escort agencies or adult sites.

In recent days, after checking messages in TER boards and following links, I noticed that there are a bunch of spywares installed in my computer which I removed subsequently.  They are hard to detect and could easily gather personal info and sent them back to their creators.

I use ZoneAlarm from Zonelabs and Ad-Aware 6.0 from http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/ (thanks to danno in LA board for the direct link) to block and remove dataminers, spywares and melwares.  (I only used the free versions of these 2 programs.)

Since I don't usually visit any adult sites with free porns, I figured the latest batch of spywares I got is from links in messages posted in TER boards.  Don't have hard proof though.

Happy hobbying to all.

p.s. Since there seems to quite a number of responses by LA members towards this post, I think other TER members might benefit from this warning, hence the repost.

Don't think that porn is the only attacker.  Yahoo, ESPN online, Google (major spyware user), and many others use this type of parasite to get information.  You are wise to use those programs to protect yourself.  A pop up blocker should also be employed.

The problem with finding a spyware program to use is that many are just replacing what they find with their own.  That is why two or more are a good practice.  I also only use the freeware, but it is becoming more evident that many people also do so and there are programs getting inside.  

Google claims to have a blocker for free, but when it was put on my computer by a family member my other programs went crazy finding new spyware that I had not seen before.  I don't trust Google's programs.

I notice that none of these 'clean up' softwares are available for Mac.  So, a question for techies out there, are Apple COmputors somehow more  immune from spywares than PCs?  I notice that the computer virus outbreaks rarely if even infect Macs (could be we are not worth the effort being only 5% of the market).



-- Modified on 1/7/2004 1:59:45 AM

I run a MAC G5 with the latest OSX and use Virex (comes with a package Apple sells) Never had a virus problem in emails or downloaded files.

The Mac OS probably IS more secure than Windows, albeit not so much in design as in execution. I'm forced to use a Windows box at work, and I'm astounded at how many "critical updates" MS must release to patch security holes.

Since the current Mac OS (OS X) is actually a pretty face on top of the most common flavor of UNIX, it is designed to be network-accessible, and it IS therefore more vulnerable than earlier Mac operating systems, which were entirely proprietary.

But the biggest reason that Macs are "immune" is that malicious people want to do the most damage they can as QUICKLY as they can, so they attack the OS that runs 90% of accessible PCs.

Macs CAN store and transmit worms that are spread as email attachments or VBA scripts within Word files, so even though your Mac might not be affected by such trash, it can spread it to someone else.

Many spyware programs for Windows platforms come in the form of ActiveX controls. Some versions of Windows Internet Explorer (IE) install so that these ActiveX controls are installed by default. To configure security in IE to prevent ActiveX controls from being automatically installed:
1. open IE
2. Go to tools, select Internet Options
3. Select the Security Tab
4. Hit the Custom button
5. Under ActiveX controls and plugins
    check Prompt for Download ActiveX controls
    check Disable for Download unsigned ActiveX controls
    check Disable for Initialize ActiveX controls not marked as safe

This will cause a prompt to come up when ever a website wants to install an ActiveX control or plugin on your PC.

Another hint.   Pop up adverts are getting sneaky. Sometimes the "decline" or "close window"  link within the popup will actually install a control. So to be absolutley sure you aren't getting spywar this way, click on the x button at the very top right corner of the popu since it is part of the OS and not part of the advert.

Be careful.  I downloaded Adware and ended up with a nasty, still unremoved virus that blocks all my documents and Word applications.  I've got updated Norton and still got the virus.

I've been using a Mac since 1984 (online since 1992), and I've never had a virus or any spyware.  Although, I've yet to upgrade to OS X