What is Scumware?

[SlyCin56]

Reprinted with permission from CGM Systems, Inc., Technology Consulting - http://www.cgmsystems.com/Resources/scumware.htm

What is scumware?
Scumware, also known as parasiteware, is software that users unknowingly download.

How does it affect me?
Internet Content
Many of the websites that you visit are supported by advertising. When scumware or parasiteware invades your machine, the people who provided those sites are losing their commissions. Since August of 2002, many of the web authors have noticed a significant loss of earnings. In many cases, the websites have become unprofitable. If that trend continues, many of the quality websites will cease to exist.

Privacy
Many of the scumware/parasiteware products transmit your personal data for advertising purposes. 'Nuff said

Security
Any time you run any software, you are exposing yourself to security risks. Can you trust software that is designed to spy on you and/or grab commissions from web authors?

Stability
Occasionally, problems with systems can be traced to the presence of these programs.

What can you do?
There are a number of steps that you can take. First, educate yourself and then consider installing applications that will remove the spyware/scumware/parasiteware. (There are several threads in this forum with additional information and links to other sources - SlyCin56)

Ad aware
There is a product called Ad-Aware that is free for personal use. You can download a copy at http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ If you already have downloaded a copy, you should check to insure that you have the latest definitions.

For Merchants/authors/publishers
If you are not already aware of the issues and you are an Amazon affiliate, check the discussion boards at www.amazon.com. You might also want to check out Andrew Clover's page at http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/

[alfredokofman]

I have used Spybot Search and Destroy in the past and found many adaware and spying progrmas which Adaware didnt find:
http://security.kolla.de/index.php?l...&page=download
and from Tucows:
http://www.tucows.com/preview/310138.html

[Dominique]

Thanks, Cindy and Alfredo!

This is a good program!

[Doolally]

I hope everyone has downloaded a copy and run it on their machine lately.

This part of the Forums may well be quieter these days, but the problem hasn't gone.

[alfredokofman]

Dear Doolally,

Problem is far from being gone, you should also check the integrity of your hosts file.

I would also love you to promote Hampton and Portofino at your sites

[james69]

thanks guys

[rob3786]

I use both Spybot and adaware once a week to keep my computer clean!

[pgaming]

One can never run too many spyware programs because of the varying opinions some companies have of what constitutes spyware. Best thing to do is run all you can everyday. Plus configuring each program properly is very important. Viruses and spyware are becoming more indentical everyday.

Some of what I use

keyloggers.com
spybot
Ad-Aware se
Hi-jack this
Rootkit tools
ccleaner
Zone Alarm
NOD
F-Secure


Just a thought

Greek39

[beatnikjd]

Last fall I was infected with a particularly vicious rogue anti spyware program called winantiviruspro2007. It seemed to know when I was trying to download legitimate anti spyware. When I tried to load spybot my pc would freeze. My browser was hijacked and using my computer became a nightmare. Not being a techie I had my hard drive cleaned and reloaded all my programs. The infection starts with a pop up and if you take any action like clicking the x in the dialog the program loads itself. The only defense is to disconnect from the internet immediately. I found out later I was the victim of what is known as a 'drive by install'. I still can't fathom what kind pf person would do this kind of thing and why any webmaster would distribute this crap.