Spyware from just opening e-mail or an attached actual pic?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Keith
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K

Keith

I have been talking to some people (and my computer has been acting
strangely) who said I can or may be able to have spyware downloaded to
my computer by just opening an Email or clicking on an actual Picture
(jpeg file) someone has sent.

Does anyone KNOW if this is true, or is it impossible to receive a
spyware by just "opening an e-mail" or just opening a pic "that when
you open - in the case of a picture - actually shows as a normal
picture"?

Thanks!
 
It's absolutely possible to be infected by merely opening an e-mail...if
the e-mail contains executable code. And it's entirely possible to hide
malicious code in a graphic - in fact, you can put just about anything
in a graphic file. Moreover, by downloading the graphic you are
confirming to a spammer that your e-mail address is valid.

There are two ways to combat this:

1. Read mail in plain text instead of HTML. In Outlook Express: Tools >
Options > Read > check mark in 'Read all mail in plain text'. You'll see
only the text of the message.

If you're receiving mail from a trusted sender /and/ you know that the
sender intended to send you mail in HTML format, you can display the
HTML formatting from the View menu: View > Message in HTML

2. Block images embedded in HTML e-mail. In Outlook Express: Tools >
Options > Security > check mark in 'Block images and other external
content in HTML e-mail'.

Once again, if you're receiving mail from a trusted sender /and/ you
know that the sender intended to send you mail in HTML format with
graphics, you can display the HTML formatting and download the graphics
from the View menu: View > Blocked images.

It goes without saying that you /never/ open an attachment unless it's
from a trusted sender and you /know/ the sender intended to send you
that specific attachment.

But the best way to protect yourself is to exercise caution before
opening any email...even email from someone you recognize.
 
Wow - OK, that was eye opening...what is the best anit-spyware out
there? Something that will not only stop your general spam stuff, but
stop stuff like spyagent, e-spy, etc., that someone may dump on you
with you being naive enough not to think about it?
 
Or an Anti-spy program to stop things like "remote spy" or "ispynow"
.....like I said, this has been a real eye-opener.???? I just found
those by a quick internet search.
 
Keith said:
Or an Anti-spy program to stop things like "remote spy" or "ispynow"
....like I said, this has been a real eye-opener.???? I just found
those by a quick internet search.
Click to expand...

Spend some time at these links (at least some of them!) to have your
questions answered. You can install all the security software in the
world but if you don't practice "Safe Hex", you'll get infected anyway.

http://www.getsafeonline.org/
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971 - So How Did I Get
Infected Anyway?
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm - The Parasite Fight
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2006/02/05/82584.aspx - MVP
Harry Waldron - The Family PC - How to stay safe on the Internet
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - Eric Howes on
Rogue Antispyware Programs

Malke
 
good free ones:
Microsoft Windows Defender
Adaware SE
Spybot Search & Destroy
Spywareblaster
SuperAntispyware
AVG Antispware (you trial it for 30days and then if you do not want the
pro,you can make it a totally free program)

I run them all with no problems. If they made one really good
antimalware/spyware program you would not need all the rest but they do not
so you need backups.
Keep them up to date and you will have no problems
robin
 
"...If they made one really good antimalware/spyware program you would
not need all the rest but they do not..."

That statement displays an alarming ignorance of the nature of non-viral
malware. The sad truth is, malware is very tricky to pin down, since
there are so many varieties and they are constantly changing. No one
program can catch them all. And in many cases, a malware infection is
impossible to remove without damaging the infected computer, no matter
whose software you use.

Therefore, the right strategy is to have one antivirus program - but
not more than one - installed on the computer and running in the
background, and at least one anti-malware program installed on the
computer and running in the background, with several others installed
but not running in the background, for on-demand scans. It has not been
definitively established whether or not it's a good idea to have more
than one anti-malware scanner running in the background.

When it comes to choosing a program, you should look for the best
performing program, even if it has a price.

The best strategy of all is to take pains to avoid getting infected in
the first place. Protective software is your second line of defense.
 
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