Products & Services 
Internet Access Spyware, Adware & Pop-ups
Note: Network
administrators for individual schools and districts are responsible for
firewall installation and maintenance, as well as for any system-wide anti-spyware
implementation. RINET provides the following information as a value-added
service to our members. Please contact your school's account manager for
computer support.
Definitions:
Pop-ups: This term usually refers to small browser windows containing
advertisements that "pop up" on a computer screen. These ads can be generated
by websites on-the-fly or by adware lurking on your hard drive.
Adware: Adware is software that is bundled with advertisements. Often
these advertisements are shown in the form of irritating pop-ups. Some of
this software can insert itself surreptitiously on your computer while you
are using the internet. In other cases, computer users download "free" software,
not knowing that by doing so they are actually agreeing to being served
with popup advertisements.
Spyware: Spyware lurks on your computer, sending private information
about you back to a sponsoring network. It can also change your system's
settings, perform undesirable tasks, redirect your Web browser, etc. Like
adware, spyware often inserts itself on your system while you are using
the internet.
Not only is it annoying, both adware and spyware can decrease your system's performance and left unchecked it can cause serious issues for your computer down the road.
Note: PCs running Windows XP with Service Pack 2 have some built-in protection against pop-up windows. Service Pack 2 will also turn on the XP firewall by default. However, this will not address the underlying problem of adware and spyware. Users who have not installed SP2 should investigate potential conflicts with other software before doing so.
Step 1: The first thing to do is download a free and trustworthy adware and spyware removal program. I use Adaware from Lavasoft. The program works like anti-virus software. Please keep in mind that if you disable the adware that comes with some free software (such as KaZaa) you may disable the software itself. (If you must have KaZaa for your legal p2p needs, try a Web search for "Kazaalite".)
Step 2: If you are also concerned about stopping the pop-ups generated by visiting web sites, you may want to do a web search for "popup blocker". There are many, many options. One free option is the Google toolbar.
Step 3: Now that you've cleaned up your system, being an informed computer user is the best prevention. Only download software from reputable companies. When you do download a piece of software, read the End User License Agreement before you install. See if the software's creators admit to collecting personal information or to bundling their software with ads generated from an advertising network. When you are surfing the Web you may see popup advertisements that look almost like a genuine Windows dialogue box asking you to download or install something-don't do it.
Unfortunately, surfing smarter is not enough. You still need run your adware removal program regularly.
Advanced users can also investigate the use of a personal firewall. Network administrators may want to look into purchasing anti-spyware software at the server level, much like with anti-virus software. Consider adware and spyware removal an essential part of your desktop computer maintenance routine.
FYI: below is a partial list of some popular spyware perpetrators. TopText, Cydoor, OnFlow, Medialoads, Delfin, WebHancer, New.net KaZaa, Grokster, Morpheus, Limewire, AudioGalaxy, iMesh, DivX Alexa, Hotbar, Comet Cursor, eWallet, CuteFTP, BonziBuddy RealPlayer, WebHanser, Hotbar
