Spyware stuck on your system? Here's how to get rid of it
Preston Gralla,
Executive Editor,
ZDNet Software Library
Friday, January 4, 2002
If you've downloaded certain versions of the file-sharing programs LimeWire, Kazaa, or Grokster, you may have also received something unexpected: a piece of spyware so pernicious that some virus makers consider it a Trojan horse.
The Trojan spy that came along for the ride is the "W32.Dlder.Trojan." F-Secure, maker of the Anti-Virus for Workstations software, says the Trojan silently connects to a Web site and reports on your computer's ID number, the browser you're using, and the URLs of the Web sites you visit. Additionally, says the software company, it "opens a security hole in a system by downloading and activating executable files."
Want to protect yourself against spyware and Trojan horses? I've found three anti-spyware and anti-Trojan programs at ZDNet Downloads that will make sure your PC--and your privacy--is protected.
Ad-aware detects W32.Dlder.Trojan, as well as many other kinds of spyware, and removes the ones you tell it to. (Free/Windows)
ZoneAlarm detects Trojans, and protects your PC from hackers in many other ways as well. It's a must-have for anyone concerned about security. (Free/Windows)
Trojan Remover won't look specifically for spyware, but it does scan your system for Trojans, and removes any that it finds. (Shareware/Windows)
Use these programs, and you can say good-bye to spyware and Trojans, no matter how they got on your PC.
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