This newest wave of malware is mostly of a type of generally called “spyware” or “adware” or other similar names. Adware usually comes from rather benign origins – somebody trying overly hard to sell you things. Spyware is worse in that it watches where you go on the Internet to discover your interests and then offers you ads to match what it thinks are appropriate for you.

These programs seemed benign enough at first. Until recently most anti-virus programs didn’t even bother to look for them. Major search engines even offer their own versions of spyware. But in the last few months, these programs, now all grouped as “spyware”, have gone obviously bad.

For a measure of just how serious the onslaught is and how suddenly it has occurred, note that on July 14, Microsoft issued seven new security updates for its various Windows operating systems, doubling the total number of security updates issued in the previous six months. These security updates all have to do with some aspect or form of these malware threats.
If you have a Macintosh, or if your PC runs the Linux operating system, then you may not have experienced much of this yet; but there is malware are out there for your computer too and the preventative steps apply to your systems as well as to Windows PC’s.

What to do?

That depends on whether or not you think that your computer has been infested. If you don’t think that you’ve been attacked yet, then do these things (the order is not crucial if you do them all as soon as possible. Today is good.):

First; make sure that you have a “firewall” between your computer and the Internet. If you use a dial-up modem or if you connect your computer directly to a broadband (DSL or cable) modem, then you need to have a software firewall right in your computer. Search “Help” on your computer to find the firewall that comes with your operating system, or, if yours doesn’t have a firewall, you can find one to download one on the Web. Prices range from free to expensive, but no matter which you choose, be sure to search the Web to check the provider’s reputation before you start to depend on them.

Second; update your Windows with the latest security and other updates free from Microsoft. If you have a Mac, go to Apple; if you have Linux go to the maker of the Linux distribution that you use. In Windows, Mac and Linux, you will find a program listing for “Update”. (Search “Help” on their website or on your computer to find it.) Click on that to take you to the appropriate location on the web and follow the instructions there.

Third; update your anti-virus software “virus definitions”. If your definition subscription is out of date or if you don’t have anti-virus software, download a program from the Internet. Again the prices range start at free and range upward. Sometimes you can get a firewall as part of the deal. Check reputations and features – be sure that the program you select will also monitor your email for viruses and other malware.

If think that you DO have an infection then you still need to perform the steps above, but, depending on the type (or types) of malware that you have, you may need to get rid of the malware first. Some of the nasty variations will actually attack anti-virus &/or anti-spyware programs.

Getting rid of the spyware or other malware is usually easy, but not always. The longer you wait, the riskier it will be for your computer and removing the malware will become more difficult. To find the right solution, describe your symptoms in as few words as possible, such as: “explorer freeze spyware“ and then search for those words in Google or your favorite search engine. If you happen to know the name of the malware or the malware maker (sometimes found in the URL), use that in your search. Usually your search will turn up the name of a piece of software that, when you download it and run it on your computer, will remove the malware from your computer. Sometimes special steps are needed and you’ll usually find the instructions for those also.

Once you get your computer clean, immediately set up your firewalls and anti-virus programs.

The final step is to take care when you're using the Internet. Simple things like: don't open mail with attachments that you aren't expecting. On the Web, don't click on ads that offer free programs or services -- like setting your clock, or that tell you things like "your computer may be infested with spyware”. On the ‘net, a little care goes a very long way.

(Mike Pepper is a freelance “Computer Tech” serving small business in the Harlem Valley region. Ann & Mike own the Coffeerooms™ website with millions of pageviews each month.)