Welcome to our spyware links section. Here you will find links
to additional information and additional up to date editorial
articles about spyware. This section is a suppliment to our other
sections which have lots of great information about Gator, Unethical
Contextual Advertising, Spyware and our legal rights. There are
additional editorials in our editorial
section. Most of the articles in this section are geared toward
a general audiance. We have additional news stories in our Legal News Archive which include
many news stories regarding privacy lawsuits and pending legislations.
We hope that you will enjoy checking out the remainder of our
site to find out how advertisers are stealing web traffic misusing
consumers personal data and how web site owners and consumers
can can protect themselves.
| **
Spyware & Adware Test Scan **
If you are viewing this site with Internet
Explorer and see an alert displayed here then it is an indication
that your computer is infected with one or more spyware
programs that we can scan for. If you do not see any alert
displayed in the center of this notice then our scan did
not detect any of the 122 spyware programs we can scan for,
however, there are still many other programs out there that
we can not yet scan for.
Please note: Currently
we can scan for a 122 distinct spyware programs that can
effect PC users and the alert will only be display if a
specific targeted program is identified. Unfortunately,
we are limited to finding only certain types of spyware
and there are many other forms of spyware and adware that
we can not currently test for.
In addition, our test scan does not
work well with NetScape or other browsers, if you suspect
that you might have spyware on your computer please feel
free to check this page while using Internet Explorer.
Also, if you have a Personal FireWall installed it may
interfere with our ability to scan your computer for Parasite
Adware and Spyware. |
Here are some links to additional resources
Thiefware
http://www.thiefware.com/disabler/
Lots of additional information and several scripts to disable
toptext.
Find out about LookSmart's partnership with eZula
http://www.thiefware.com/looksmart.ezula.shtml
Find out about how WhenU Save Now is able to snatch and steal
your affiliate earnings away from you.
http://www.thiefware.com/whenu/
sgtsearch.com
Patrick Crampton has Cascading Style Sheet script which will disable
TopText at http://www.sgtsearch.com/blacklist/ttext.html
SearchKing
http://www.searchking.com/ezulakiller/
This site also has script to disable toptext they also has an
extensive a message board with lots of information.
Whirly Wire Web
http://www.whirlywiryweb.com/removeezula.htm
This site has as a script for you to personally detect if you
have this software (It can even tell you if you have Toptext or
Surf+) on your computer system as well as information on how to
remove the software from your computer.
Take Back The Web
http://www.takebacktheweb.com/instructions.htm
Also battling the good fight -- This site has a redirect script
which will detect the software and then automatically redirect
TopText & Surf+ viewers over to a page to educate the users
on the issues.
Developer Dispatch
http://developerdispatch.com/dispatch/devdis010.html
He has a popup script which will appear if someone comes on to
your site and it detects toptext! You can set up the popup with
your choice of alerts.
Spy Chaser
http://camtech2000.net/Pages/SpyChaser.html
At the time of this release there were 762 known Spyware programs
and Spy Chaser lists them and lets you enter a program name to
see if it's on this list.
www.simtel.net: spychs30.zip (Back up for Spy Chaser above)
At the time of this release there were over 900 known Spyware
programs and Spy Chaser lists them and lets you enter a program
name to see if it's on this list.
www.simtel.net/pub/pd/55621.html
http://www.petitiononline.com/toptext/
Please sign this Petition against this type of technology
Counter Explotation
Excellent Resources on spyware, spamming with technical information
as well
Here is list of known software that also includes
spyware
http://www.suttondesigns.com/EnigmaBrowser/Spyware.html
Here are a number of resource spyware links
http://www.alphalink.com.au/~johnf/spyware.html
Freeware Network - Adware removal
http://www.fwnetwork.com/description/adaware.html
Burzurg.com
Links to a wide range of resources including several on-line virus
scanners, forums, and technical advise.
http://www.burzurq.com/forum/linkage.html
Here are a number of links to additional spyware & security
editorials
Washington Post: A Short History of Computer Viruses and Attacks
Story Highlights: "1945: A moth is found trapped between
relays in a computer operated by the U.S. Navy. From then on,
problems with computers are referred to as 'bugs,' and the process
of removing them is called 'debugging...'" "1949: Hungarian
scientist John von Neumann (1903-1957) devises the theory of self-replicating
programs..."
More on this story at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50636-2002Jun26.html
Web Ads, From Roach To Rich
You might hope that pop-up ads go the way of Pets.com and other
doomed dot-coms, six feet under in the Internet graveyard. But,
alas, pop-ups appear destined to survive, because some advertisers
say the darned things work.
by Leslie Walker
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Richard M. Smith, cybersecurity consultant - from an open on
line discussion
http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/
Cybersecurity and You: Five Tips Every Consumer Should Know
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
A Cybersecurity Primer: Links and Resources for Computer Users
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
A Short History of Computer Viruses and Attacks
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Key Players in U.S. Government's Cybersecurity Efforts
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Privacy Watchdog Says Windows XP Software Logs DVD Play
A prominent Internet privacy advocate says Microsoft Corp. should
have warned consumers that the media player that ships with its
new Windows XP operating system connects to a server operated
by the software giant and reports what DVDs customers insert into
their PCs.
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/02/174673.html
http://www.linuxsecurity.com/articles/
Gator Digital Wallet Allows Hacker Back Doors
Gator, a digital wallet program installed on millions of computers,
contains a security flaw that could enable malicious sites to
take control of a user's computer. An ActiveX plug-in installed
with the Gator program can be hijacked by attackers and used to
place back-door software or other "malware" on the victim's
computer. Gator is installed with many popular file sharing programs
such as AudioGalaxy.
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/02/174709.html
http://www.computercurrents.net/news/
What They Know Could Hurt You
by Michelle Dello
Spyware trojan found in Gnutella applications
Wired News Jan 3, 2002
http://www.wired.com/news/privacy
Protect your identity as you surf
By Neal Brandstetter
(8/14/01)
The Internet is a dangerous place, full of profiteers who sell
your personal data to information brokers and cunning criminals
who have nothing better to do than steal your Social Security
number, obtain credit cards in your name, go on spending sprees,
and ruin your credit rating. So whether you're shopping at Macys.com
or chatting with your buddies over ICQ, you'll need to take certain
precautions to keep your personal info from falling into the wrong
hands.
http://www.cnet.com/internet/0-3762-8-6796944-1.html
An Unwanted Gift for Free File-Swappers
Spyware trojan found in Gnutella applications
Jan 3, 2002
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/
No Exploit Required To Read Morpheus Users' Files
By Brian McWilliams, Newsbytes
04 Feb 2002, 2:54 PM CST
While reports of a new security vulnerability in the Morpheus
file sharing service remain unconfirmed, many fans of the network
are accidentally exposing the complete contents of their computers
to outsiders.
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/02/174203.html
Audiogalaxy Installer May Have Harbored Nimda Virus
By Brian McWilliams, Newsbytes
09 Jan 2002, 11:23 AM CST
Thousands of fans of Audiogalaxy Satellite, a popular alternative
to the Napster file-sharing application, may have been infected
with the Nimda virus, according to users who recently downloaded
the program.
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/02/173512.html
http://www.computeruser.com/news/
File-sharing may bring porn to kids
by Maxim Kniazkov
Aug 2001
http://ww.smh.comau/icon/0108/01/news3.html
File-sharing Network Has Trojan Visitor
By Steven Bonisteel, Newsbytes
05 Jun 2000, 1:34 PM CST
Virus-protection companies have reported the release of yet another
rogue program written in Microsoft's Visual Basic scripting language.
However, this one - unlike the infamous "Love Letter"
e-mail worm - is designed to be propagated through the fast-growing
file-sharing network known as Gnutella. The Gnutella Worm apparently
does no harm anyway and it is being described as a wake-up call
for users who might be too quick to trust those with whom they
exchange files using the freely available Gnutella software.
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/00/150081.html
http://www.info-sec.com/viruses/00/
New Twist On Web-Forms Hack Scarfs Browser Cookies
By Steven Bonisteel, Newsbytes
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A.,
07 Feb 2002, 8:45 AM CST
An independent network security researcher has uncovered a new
way to steal the secret browser "cookies" of Web surfers
with the help of Internet servers that were never intended to
communicate with browser software. Browser cookies may contain
such private information as user IDs and passwords. Malicious
hackers could wield seemingly ordinary- looking Web pages to send
commands to servers behind such barriers as corporate firewalls
using common Internet server software other than Web servers that
can "echo" hijacked submissions from HTML forms.
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/02/174306.html
http://www.computeruser.com/news/
HTML 'Hack' Could Use Browsers To Open Net Security Hole
By Steven Bonisteel, Newsbytes
KARLSRUHE, GERMANY,
20 Aug 2001, 3:50 PM CST
An independent computer programmer in Germany has discovered that
malicious hackers could wield seemingly ordinary-looking Web pages
to send commands to servers behind such barriers as corporate
firewalls. The trick relies on the same HTML-based technology
builders of legitimate Web pages use to capture information visitors
might enter into online forms. Many common Web browsers can be
tricked into passing on commands from hackers unbeknownst to the
browsers' users.
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/169207.html
Google Denies Pop-Up Ads Are Its Fault
By Brian McWilliams, Newsbytes
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.,
29 Jan 2002, 11:20 AM CST
Responding to complaints from users, online search giant Google.com
has joined the chorus of jeers against one of the great annoyances
of Web surfing: pop-up advertisements. In a statement linked from
the front door of the popular search site today, Google reassured
fans that it does not allow pop-up ads of any kind on its site,
which receives more than 21 million visitors per month. A possible
explanation for pop-ups at Google that has been confirmed by the
experience of some newsgroup participants, are the ad-serving
programs that come bundled with some free software such as the
BearShare and Audiogalaxy music-sharing programs. "These
tiny 'time bombs' can show pop-ups at random intervals or based
on anything you type on a Web page," said Google. The search
company recommended using special software to remove such "malicious"
programs, and filing a complaint about the adware with the Federal
Trade Commission.
"We wish you luck in your quest to quell pop-ups," said
Google.
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/02/174036.html
http://www.google.com/help/nopopupads.html
How to subtract Internet ads before they multiply
Wendy Dittamore,
Senior Editor,
ZDNet Help & How-To
Thursday, June 28, 2001
As you know, there are all types of advertising online: banners,
pop-ups, long, short, moving ads, and so on. Another thing that's
very clear about the Internet: you can't get something for nothing.
In order to visit your favorite Web sites for free, you have to
put up with those flashy, animated messages from companies trying
to pull in some sales. Or do you?
http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/stories/story
Gator
News Update
Gator and the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) declare a truce
to the legal battles over Gators Pop-Up Ads. "Gator has agreed
to stop selling the Companion Pop-up Banner vehicle in its current
form," he said. "We will put this product on hold as
we talk with IAB members to co-develop a new version that is more
publisher friendly, designed to create a revenue stream for them
by monetizing unused banner inventory."
http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/172528.html
The Attack of Ad-Replacing Software
From Entrepreneur.com: Gator software may be taking a bite out
of Web sites'revenue by employing guerrilla marketing tactics.
eMarketer analyst Jonathan ...
Is Your Money Being Stolen?
New Advertising Software May Be Taking Your Revenue
This an article about Gater
http://html.about.com/library/
The Word Spy - gator
.. that a person is visiting. When a particular company's
site comes into view, the
Gator software pops up a banner ad for a rival company.
www.logophilia.com/WordSpy/gator.html
Shooting Back At Gator's 'Ambush Ads'
(washingtonpost.com)
.. Moreover, when I installed Gator's software, I discovered more
than a dozen advertisers
using Gator to run ambush ads at rival sites. When I visited the
site ...
Gator wrestling: How much advertising can you
...
From ZDNet.. Why? Because the Gator software allows the company
to watch what you are doing in your browser and send advertisements
based on your behavior. Here's the catch ...
Is ad software invading our privacy?
.. the endless requests for passwords and other information. The
Gator software, I learned upon visiting the site, is a free download.
It promises to be able to ...
www.users.qwest.net/~swidemark/gator.htm
Scumware Resources, Tools, Forums, Articles
.. An Outrage "Gator software is touted as "FREE"
but the user pays a much higher, and hidden price. Gator watches
every page that the user visits and when it ...
Scumware Resources, Tools, Forums, Articles
.. An Outrage "Gator software is touted as "FREE"
but the user pays a much higher, and hidden price. Gator watches
every page that the user visits and when it ...
Forget Smart Tags;
TopText Is Doing What You Feared
By Danny Sullivan, Editor
Search EngineWatch.com, Aug. 22, 2001
http://searchenginewatch.com
TalkBiz News
by Paul Myers, 2001
An interesting editorial article on the impacts and implications
of several these types of programs
The Parasite Economy
There's a new software business model in town -- symbiotic plug-ins
that pay for the privilege of piggybacking on the hot download
of the moment.
By Damien Cave
http://www.salon.com/
Informative Advertising: A Better Way
by Paul "the soaring" Siegel
http://www.learningfountain.com/infoad.htm
Latest on-line ad gimmick: hyperlinks
Tom Spring, PC World.com (US)
http://www.bms.com.mt/news/2001/Aug/051.htm
Ad wars - articles about ad-blocking
Sites seek to blast ad blockers
Publishers have been promised a new weapon to combat software
that wipes advertisements off the Web, bringing a potential challenge
to ad-free surfing
http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/stories/news
Declan McCullagh's Politech
(Technology in Politics)mailing ...
Declan McCullagh's Politech (Technology in Politics) mailing list
archive Gator software
reportedly spies on users, company stonewalls From: Declan McCullagh
What is Spyware
http://www.spychecker.com/spyware.html
What is Spyware - Also know as Adware
http://www.zdnet.com/
The Trouble With Spyware &
Advertising-Supported Software
http://www.cexx.org/problem.htm
From the same site here is more information
on Gator
Here is list of known software that includes
spyware
http://www.suttondesigns.com/EnigmaBrowser/Spyware.html
Here are a number of resource spyware links
http://www.alphalink.com.au/~johnf/spyware.html
Here are several news articles from Cnet
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-5921593.html
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-6759036.html
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-6986199.html
http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-6797640.html
http://dmoz.org/Society/Issues/Business/
Allegedly_Unethical_Firms/Ezula/
Directory listing a variety of articles on ezula
Now not to change the subject, but what the heck -- I'm on a
roll -- here is some information the abuses of spamming.
http://www.eos.ncsu.edu/eos/info/
computer_ethics/abuse/spam/
FAQ: How do spammers get people's email addresses ?
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/net-abuse-faq/harvest
Would you like to contribute an article on this problem?
Drop us a line at
Additional Resources
Additional Editorial Links
Legal Information
Please show your support by adding a link back to your site
on our Supporters page and help us raise awareness by displaying
one of our logo banners on your site
