Is There A Spy On Your PC?
A key logger records everything you type on your keyboard and sends if off to the bad guys. It's an easy way for them to snag your user names, passwords and account numbers.
In its January issue, PC World Magazine (www.pcworld.com) reports that Websense, (www.websense.com) a computer security firm, says "the number of unique keylogger programs in use by criminals more than doubled between April 2005, when there were 77 of them, and July 2005, when the company saw 179." (Read: Privacy Watch: More Criminals Use Keystroke Loggers)
So how do you protect yourself? PC World says "if you use a software firewall, keep your antivirus software up-to-date, and avoid running programs that you receive via email or instant messaging, your chances of stopping a keylogger before it can harm you are good." How can you be sure there isn't a key logger already on your computer? Your best bet is to scan your machine regularly with a good antispyware tool.
Both PC World and PC Magazine (www.pcmagazine.com) give top marks to Webroot Software's Spy Sweeper. (www.webroot.com) The editors of PC Magazine call SpySweeper 4.5 "the most powerful antispyware tool we've seen yet." They say it offers "clear information about found threats and blocked attacks."
Here's a note for anyone who uses a Mac. While the chances of your machine getting infected with spyware are remote, there is a product that claims to help keep your system clean. It's called MacScan and it's sold by SecureMac. (macscan.securemac.com) I do not know anything about this program.
For more information:
Spotlight on Mac Security: Are You Worrying Too Much about Security-Or Not Enough?