Spyware

Spyware is a means of eavesdropping and can be installed on the computer without the user's knowledge or consent by just going to the wrong website. This happens when the website executes a script on the computer (if you have not disabled scripts). Specifically, spyware is computer software that contains surveillance tools that can monitor keystroke activity, take screen snapshots, do email and chat logging, gather information about the computer user and the user's information and reports it back to the requesting server. The threats for loss of personal confidential information and identity theft are very real. Most spyware come bundled with free programs that you download from the internet. Almost all filesharing applications come loaded with spyware and may also have the ability to download and install more spyware. Before you download free software from the internet, read the policies if available, and determine why it is being given for free. It is a good practice not to download anything from the internet that you do not know about and do not trust.

Spyware is also responsible for browser hijacking leading to changing your home page on your browser. For example, if you are planning a Florida vacation, you may be surprised to see relevent ads on travel deals to Florida as pop ups, emails or other messages. This happens because your internet activities are being monitored by the spyware. If your computer is infected with spyware, the information you transmit over the internet is captured and you will get targeted for ads.
Spyware programs run in the background of your computer without your knowledge and decrease processor performance and memory and eventually slow the overall performance of your computer.

Spyware is not classified as a virus and anti-virus programs do not block it. Spyware requires specific tools to identify and remove the spyware. Spyware is also sometimes referred to as adware. There are many good spyware tools available.

Common Spyware & Adware

• Hotbar - Toolbars for MS-Outlook and MS Internet Explorer.
• Bargain Buddy - Monitors and reports to a server and brings relevant ads.
• Comet Curser
• CyDoor
• Wildtagent Games
• Incredifind
• Alexa

Spam

Spam is unsolicited junk email sent to a large number of people, usually for advertising or marketing on the internet. The act of doing this is called spamming and the people who do this are called spammers. Spammers collect email addresses from various sources and also buy from companies which share email addresses. Spam emails may have a link to click in order to unsubscribe from their email list. It is not recommended to click on those links as that would only confirm your email address and cause more spam to be sent. It is a good idea to filter spam email addresses from reaching your inbox or report them as spam to your email service provider.

Do not forward emails that sound too good to be true or threaten you for not forwarding the email, such as: "Easy money making tips", "Bill Gates is sharing his fortune", or "You do not love your friends/relatives if you don't forward this". Some spam emails claim that if you forward the email to 20 of your friends that their system will track it and you will earn a great deal of money and continue to earn money as your friends forward them. Don't be fooled, as there is no such thing as a system that tracks and pays you for forwarding spam emails. When you forward this type of email, you are not only revealing your email address but also revealing the email addresses of your friends and relatives and giving spam to them. The spammer's intent for persuading you to forward spam emails is to collect valid email addresses for additional spam.

• Do not open any spam email or click on any links that they recommend including unsubscribe
• Do not forward spam emails to your friends and relatives as these are ways of revealing email addresses to spammers
• Strictly don't trust any email that comes from a source that you do not know
  
  

Unsolicited commercial e-mail protection act
( MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE Public Act 42 (2003), House Bill 4519 (2003)
(Approved July 11, 2003; effective September 1, 2003) )

Michigan's Anti-Spam Law 12/2003

Spam Reduction - Tips For Reducing Junk E-mail 12/2002

Recommended Steps to Avoid Spam, Spyware, Virus

• Install an anti-virus program on your computer and schedule daily scans for computer viruses.
• Install a pop-up blocker and anti-spyware program.
• Install a hardware firewall or software firewall or both.
• Use layers of protection. However, using more than one software firewall or multiple antivirus programs on the same computer is not a good idea. Use a combination of hardware and software firewalls.
• Constantly monitor your computer against any threats or attacks.
• Keep your computer updated with all operating system updates and patches, anti-virus updates, anti-spyware updates and other software updates.
• Do not click on suspicious links and do not open suspicious emails.
• Disconnect from the internet or turn off your computer after use.