Spyware,Spyware?

[E.T.]

Ive generally ignored Spyware, like viruses. I dont see them as a real threat. I have yet in five years to be affected by them [as far as I know anyway].

Questions on Spyware:

[1] How serious a threat can they be?

[2] Do they have the ability to obtain my purchasing transactions over the net, considering the encrypting protection?

[3] Can Spyware monitor my emails, IM's & other personal activities?

[4] Can Spyware slow down my load speeds?

[5] AOL & Spyware: I just terminated my AOL account a few days ago. Since then, Ive received a few notices indicating I have Spyware tracking me. I interpret these warnings as nothing more than spam, telling me what I already know, I have cookies attached.
This brings me back to question # 1: How serious should I take Spyware?
Should I investigate/apply a utility for deleting Spyware?

Anything, experiences included, regarding Spyware appreciated.

E.T.

[moya]

You don't see viruses as a real threat? I don't know too much about Spyware other than the obvious stuff (although I do regular cleaning with Ad-aware), but I do know that you should at least take virus threats seriously and keep your anti-virus software and windows updates up to date!

[Lara]

Spyware shouldn't be ignored. It can slow your system down, and more.
Check this site out for some pretty good information.
http://www.unwantedlinks.com/spyware-info.htm

Personally, I use Adaware and scan my computer at least once a month.

[E.T.]

Thanks for advice. :)

Maybe my choice of words isnt the best to describe my experience with viruses, but somehow in nearly five years of online activity, viruses have eluded my PC. In fact, I have yet to make contact with any friends or buisness contacts that have suffered viruses.
["ignorance is bliss", eh?].

How about you guys, ever catch a virus?

In the mean time, I'll investigate Ad-Ware & Laras link.

[mike009]

Oh, hell yeah ... I've had viruses. Course I've been using computers for over 15 years now. Viruses used to be spread by floopy disks, mostly on the boot sector. Which would mean that they would only activate (format your harddrive, etc.) if you accidentally booted with the floopy in ... if you can imagine that.

I'm so surprized that outlook vb code has become the major infecter these days. Basically, any program that you install on your machine could have a virus strapped to it. With so many computers interconnected, and shareware and freeware so accessable, it's surprising that, to date, Outlook viruses (written in Basic!!!? :rolleyes: ) are the biggest problem.

Adware and Spyware are tricky devils. Gator.com is one of the more prominent... but there are many others. Mostly installed with shareware & freeware apps like DivX, Kazza, etc.

These apps can also come in the form of an ActiveX or Java control. Anything you allow to execute on your machine can do serious harm.

Bottom line: keep a backup of anything you deem important!

[Lara]

I got you beat by several years Mike :) But not tellin how many!
I've had a few viruses hit my computers as well E.T. Probably not as many as Mike though.
My Hubby has me beat, since he downloads a lot.
Another free adware program is Spybot.
I'd like to get Pest Control, but don't want to pay the $50. for it.

A lot of adware/spyware programs boast you can download and detect any spyware for free. Problem is, once they detect all the spyware, you can't deleted it unless you buy the program. You can manually remove, but that's a royal pain and dangerous if you don't do it exactly right. It involves deleting registry files.

[E.T.]

Hey guys, while were on the subject of internet security, how do you feel about giving out personal information online?

Is it still not considered risky to give your social security # out over the web [as in for financial transactions]?

I was @ amazon yesterday & noticed a tempting offer to receive $30 credit towards on site purchases if I apply for their credit card....I got put off when I noticed ALL info including SS# was required to be submited online. [too bad they didnt offer this in part over the phone]. Am I paranoid about nothing?

[Lara]

Any information given over the internet is vulnerable. Amazon is supposed to be pretty secure, but the posibilities of hacking are always there. Giving out your social security# over the net? I'd be very hesitant to do that, but that's just me.

[E.T.]

"Giving out your social security# over the net? I'd be very hesitant to do that, but that's just me."

....& me too. Identity theft is my big concern. I understand that if a crook has your name, date of birth & SS#, they have your identity.

[btw, thats a classy sig Lara]

[Isostran]

I played around with some spyware (subseven) but with all the homeland security and I.T. Sec its about as dangerous as someone stealing your mail out of your mail box but in the comfort of your own home. The biggest open door is P2P software like Kazaa or Lime light, as soon as you have the 3rd party software installed you might as well hang up all your files as infected. Bootsector viruses and replicators seem to invade at will and trojans are in 30% of all Exe progs. But if you use MIRC for downloads then you might have some peice of mind but the threat is always there. I installed Nortan Internet Security and it seems to help as long as you update, just watch out when you clone MAC addreses on your router because it doesnt matter if you have a Firewall they can still get through on the WAN port. "Who put this hair on my head?"