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Like many things in life, we tend to ignore those things that don't directly affect us. Computer viruses have been around since the early 90's but it wasn't until Nimda hit a couple of years ago that a lot of the corporate world found itself in hot water. Spyware is one of those growing threats that many of us tend to ignore or just not recognize. Pop-ups, browsers going to the wrong place, home-page changes by itself, menu items missing, slow-downs (sometimes to the point of being unusable) are all indicators that you've been infected with Spyware. Spyware is growing at an incredible rate. In March 2004, Earthlink & Webroot Software Inc. (a leading anti-spyware manufacturer) released these findings: on over 1 million PCs scanned for spyware, an incredible total of 29+ million spyware instances were detected with 5.7 million of those being Trojans, Keyloggers and Adware. "Having a good anti-spyware program is just as important as having a good anti-virus package and a firewall," says Steve Swaney, Sr. Engineer and Partner at DataTrends Technology. "Many people think that Spyware and viruses are the same thing – but they're not and most "Anti-Virus" programs do not detect or block "Spyware."" According to Dell Computer Corporation, 12% of its tech support calls are due to Spyware and the time to correct them is at least double that of other calls. Back in 2003, the National Cyber Security Alliance released a study showing that 9 out of 10 PCs connected to the internet were infected with some sort of spyware. So just what is Spyware and how do you get it? It is loosely classified as any program that allows monitoring or control of your PC without your knowledge. This includes: Trojans, Worms, Adware, Browser Hijackers, Pop-up producers, Keyloggers, Tracking Cookies and many more. Two of the more common delivery methods of Spyware are via SPAM and Pop-up ads. You can't trust that the writer of the pop-up didn't make the "X" or "Close" button of the pop-up be the "Install Now" button for the program. There are no rules to mal-intent so, if you don't know what it is – don't click on it! The safest way to close a Pop-up is to go into Task Manager and "End Task" on it but that takes time (10 seconds maybe) 6 pop-ups just cost you a minute. You can also pickup Spyware by visiting websites that have been exploited or by downloading music, games or videos. Unfortunately, you can't trust that shareware and freeware aren't also Spyware – in fact, both AdAware & Spybot claim that another anti-spyware program, SpyWareNuker, is actually a known spyware program. What's being done about it? Some of the more popular download sites (like CNet, Web Attack & ZDNet) have begun listing software as "Freeware, Shareware or Adware." Another company, Spyware Guide has a free search engine that will allow you to check on a shareware program to see if it has been listed as a "no no." For your convenience, you can link to it from here: http://www.spywareguide.com/product_search.php Think
you might be infected? Webroot Software Inc., one of
the leading manufacturers of Enterprise level Anti-Spyware software,
Spy Sweeper Enterprise, offers a free "Spy Audit"
so you can scan your PC remotely: http://www.webroot.com/products/spysweeper?rc=1526 So, what's the answer for your Firm? I'd highly recommend that every firm install an Enterprise Version of Anti-Spyware software (just like you have done for your Anti-Virus software.) The pricing is similar (under $30/ user). Why Enterprise level software? All of your desktops can be managed from one server console which alleviates you from having to check PC by PC. It also performs "proactive" continuous blocking where the free downloads are "reactive" only, meaning that the damage has already been done. There are a few good packages to choose from. I'm partial to Webroot's Spy Sweeper Enterprise edition. It gives you good centralized management, automated deployment of definition updates and product upgrades, customizable protection and security policies, reporting capabilities, and detection and elimination of spyware. You can find out more about it at: http://www.webroot.com/products/spysweeper/enterprise?rc=1526 Kevin
Dunn is the president and co-founder of DataTrends Technology
Corporation; since moving to Atlanta in 1990, Kevin and DataTrends'
partner companies (Clockwork32 and Client Profiles) have worked
with over 1000 law firms to provide hardware, software and services
for the technology driven legal industry. Kevin can be contacted
at 800-225-8560 or by e-mail: kdunn@clientprofiles.com.
The company's website can be found at http://www.clientprofiles.com.
DataTrends is proud to be a silver business partner of the AALA!
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Spyware, Malware, Adware, Trackware
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Editor: Debra F. Goldman (DGoldman@GMLJ.com) (This publication is the property of the Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators. Reproduction or reprint without prior permission is strictly prohibited. Click here to request reprint permission.) Designed/Distributed By 
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