Windows Tutorials - Herong's Tutorial Examples - v5.62, by Dr. Herong Yang
What Is Spyware
This section provides a quick introduction of spyware.
A couple of weeks ago, I had to spend several hours to help a friend of mine to remove spyware on his computer. It was a very interesting experience, and I want to share with you.
First, I searched the Web for a good definition of spyware. Here is what I found:
Spyware is a broad category of malicious software designed to intercept or take partial control of a computer's operation without the informed consent of that machine's owner or legitimate user. While the term taken literally suggests software that surreptitiously monitors the user, it has come to refer more broadly to software that subverts the computer's operation for the benefit of a third party.
Spyware differs from viruses and worms in that it does not usually self-replicate. Like many recent viruses, however, spyware is designed to exploit infected computers for commercial gain. Typical tactics furthering this goal include delivery of unsolicited pop-up advertisements; theft of personal information (including financial information such as credit card numbers); monitoring of Web-browsing activity for marketing purposes; or routing of HTTP requests to advertising sites.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Microsoft Windows
Introduction to Windows Explorer
Introduction to Internet Explorer
"Paint" Program and Computer Graphics
GIMP - GNU Image Manipulation Program
JPEG Image File Format Quality and Size
GIF Image File Format and Transparent Background
"WinZip" - ZIP File Compression Tool
"WinRAR" - RAR and ZIP File Compression Tool
FTP Server, Client and Commands
"FileZilla" - Free FTP Client and Server
Web Server Log Files and Analysis Tool - "Analog"
►Spyware Adware Detection and Removal
"HijackThis" - Spyware and Browser Hijacker Detector
"HijackThis" Report Entry Types
Spyware: WebBar - htwtb.bin and bar.dll
Spyware: SurfBuddy - sbuddy.dll
Spyware: WebSpecials - webspec.dll
Spyware: DSSAgent - DSSAgent.exe
Transponder: Best Offer - farmmext.exe
IE Addon Program Listing and Removal
Vundo (VirtuMonde/VirtuMundo) - vtsts.dll Removal
Trojan and Malware "Puper" Description and Removal
VSToolbar (VSAdd-in.dll) - Description and Removal
Spybot - Spyware Blocker, Detection and Removal
Setting Up and Using Crossover Cable Network
Home Network Gateway - DSL Modem/Wireless Router
Windows Task Manager - The System Performance Tool
"tasklist" Command Line Tool to List Process Information
"msconfig" - System Configuration Tool
Configuring and Managing System Services
Windows Registry Key and Value Management Tools