-----Original Message-----
Does Microsoft have a knowledge base or article concerning
Spyware and removing it?? I've been told that the "Error
on Page" (script error) I've been receiving when view
certain sites with IE 6 may be caused by spyware. I've
been told that there is many Vendors and softwares out
there that have software for removing these things but I
was most interested on what Microsofts take and suggestion
was on the topic??
The spyware I'm refering highlights Keywords on the site
your viewing....
*************************************************
HTH...from Microsoft's technet newsgroup
CP
Q: How can I tell if I have spyware or other malicious
software on my system and how can I get rid of it if I
have it?
A: Spyware, Trojans, viruses, snoopers, and other types
of malicious software are often hard to detect when
present. Your computer may slow down, Windows Explorer may
crash frequently, your Internet access may be slow or
unavailable, and you may get unexpected error messages
when trying to open programs. Viruses, Trojans, and worms
are software that install themselves secretly and without
your permission and replicate themselves from your system
to other systems. Spyware are software that install
themselves with your often unknowing but explicit
permission. They do not usually replicate themselves.
There are two types of tools to remove viruses and spyware:
An anti-virus tool protects your system from viruses,
worms, and Trojans that infect your system without your
permission and replicate themselves to your unfortunate
friends and associates and embarrass you in the process.
These malicious uninvited programs are sometimes quite
dangerous, if not to you, then to others you may infect or
unknowingly attack. Some viruses will install attack
software on your system, making your computer an unwitting
accomplice in a malicious and damaging attack against
someone else, as directed by the virus distributor. You
have a responsibility to protect your system against these
threats in order to protect your friends, other Internet
users, and valuable web sites on the Internet against
coordinated, massive denial-of-service attacks from virus-
infected machines. You are particularly vulnerable to
these infections if you have a broadband Internet
connection. Norton/Symantec, McAfee, and Trend Micro make
good anti-virus products for sale. Find more information
on Virus Protection Strategies at:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/topics/virus/defa
ult.asp and specificlly find additional information about
anti-virus vendors at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/catalog/default.aspx?
subID=22&xslt=search&qu=security&scope=1.
An anti-virus scanner cannot protect your system from
spyware that you deliberately, but unknowingly, install on
your computer when you or someone who uses your computer
downloads and installs free software from the Internet.
Therefore, you need a spyware scanner to remove these
mildly malicious programs that spy on your Internet
behavior, pop-up unwanted and intrusive ads when you
browse the Internet, hijack your home page, hijack web
sites, and slow down and crash your system. Note that
removal of spyware will sometimes disable the free
software from which the spyware originated. The license
agreement you failed to read usually explains what
software is being installed and whether it is necessary to
use the free program that you really want. There are
sometimes versions of free software available without the
spyware.
Some available spyware removal tools are Adaware available
from:
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/ or
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ and Spybot
available from
http://security.kolla.de/.
