Spyware—Coming Soon to a PG Near You: internet threats make internet security a must for students Sacha Narine, The Martlet (University of Victoria) VICTORIA, BC (CUP)—In the coming weeks, students across the country will struggle with computer problems. Some will be quickly resolved by nerdy friends, some by calling the computer help desks, and others by trading in a troublesome PC for an attractive and more expensive Apple computer. But for Windows-based users, no matter how power- ful and versatile theit PCs are, they are more susceptible to computer viruses, worms, and other “Trojan horses” than their Apple cousins. The same is true for the rela- tively new binary pest, “spyware”—software that collects information about a PC user or the user’s machine with- out the owner's authorization. Spyware exclusively targets Windows-based PCs and ranges from innocuous pop-up ads to malicious crime- ware, which attempts to hack bank accounts and credit lines. In August, researchers at Sunbelt Software—an inter- national anti-spyware software company—discovered a massive identity theft ring. Thousands of computers across the world were transmitting information to a num- ber of remote servers. The collected data included bank account numbers, passwords, PINs, credit card numbers, personal contact information, social security numbers, etc. Spyware has afflicted PCs since 1999, when the first data-collecting Web game, “Elf Bowling,” harvested info from host PCs, but the sheer scope of what Sunbelt researchers found was shocking and caused many com- puter users to wonder how to prevent identity theft. Internet security companies have developed a number of ways to deal with Spyware and the good news is there are a number of free options. Lavasoft premiered its “Ad- Aware” Spyware-detection tool in 2002, the same year German programmer Patrick Kolla released “Spybot- Search & Destroy.” Both programs were free, and Kolla’s remains so-called freeware, but many of the most sophis- ticated anti-Spyware tools have gone commercial, ranging in price from $20 to $150. Symantec, makers of Norton Antivirus, offer anti- Spyware solutions, as do McAfee and Trend Micro, mak- ers of the popular “PC-Cillin.” Victoria’s own ParetoLogic Inc. developed XoftSpy to detect and remove Spyware and Adware. For basic security, all you need is a little quality time with your PC and a few megabytes of hard drive space. Follow these steps to keep yourself safe from the majori- ty of malicious Spyware. Keep Windows up-to-date Since Spyware almost exclusively affects Windows- based PCs, it’s important to make sure that you keep your operating system up to date. Microsoft Windows Update is the semi-automated system that keeps Windows secure by providing critical patches and security updates, which address vulnerabilities and, more honestly, flaws in Microsoft programming, Get those critical updates installed, one way or anoth- er-then you can move on to more advanced security. Anti-virus is non-negotiable Another reality of modern computing: anti-virus soft- ware is absolutely, positively necessary. Using email or the Internet without a good anti-virus program running is just too risky. Imagine accidentally clicking on one unwanted spam email and having your computer continu- ally restart itself every 30 seconds, making it impossible to connect to the Internet long enough to download a fix. Powerful, free anti-virus tools are available from Avast.com and Grisoft.com. Both programs are reliable and won’t cost you a dime. Firewall: More than a really cool word A firewall is a piece of hardware or software that hides your PC from the prying eyes of the Internet. All Internet-enabled PCs have something called an IP (Internet Protocol) address, a unique number that desig- nates through which channels your PC is accessing the Internet. It is very easy for any other Internet user to discover your IP, but your firewall will determine just how much they can do once they’ve got it. Although Windows XP has a built-in firewall which can be enabled via the Control Panel, you should take a look at third-party fire- wall applications from Zone Labs, TINY Software, Sygate, or Kerio. Zone Labs offers a free version of its popular ZoneAlarm program, which will provide valuable protec- tion from Web-based intrusion and hacking. Automatic Spyware Protection It’s nearly impossible to manually remove most Spyware. You’ll need an anti-Spyware application to make sure your PC is clean, and regular Spyware scans will keep it that way. Free trial and demo versions of powerful anti- Spyware programs are available from lavasoft.com, pare- tologic.com, and symantec.com. Some are time-limited. Visit download.com to read reviews and find more down- loadable anti-Spyware tools. Stay Informed Even with the anti-virus/anti-Spyware/ firewall trio protecting your PC, there’s no substitute for knowledge. Understanding Spyware and learning about the latest and most dangerous threats is the key to staying protected. Spend some time surfing the Web, look at sites like SpywareWarrior.com and SpywareInfo.com, and keep all your software patched and up to date. To the unprepared, Spyware poses a serious threat. Keep on top of it and you'll be free to troll the Internet and laugh at “LiveJournal” kids as long as you like. You can even do homework. That’s always a good idea. Right Hook continued from page 4 months of unsuccessful negotiations between the CBC and the Canadian Media Guild (CMG), which represents about 5,500 CBC employees outside of Québec. James Cudmore, a National Parliamentary Reporter for the CBC and one of the picketers, said he was disappoint- ed by Rabinovitch’s refusal to come outside. “He couldn’t even face his own employees. That’s just not dignified,” he said. During a question-and-answer session that followed the panel discussion, Cudmore asked Rabinovitch about the lockout and whether the CBC has a responsibility to keep up its services for Canadians. Rabinovitch refused to answer the question, saying that a McGill event should not be taken over by CBC- specific issues. “T don’t think that answer worked,” said Cudmore. “The audience knew that he was trying to avoid the question.” Rabinovitch also refused to respond to comments by Raboy that touched on Canadians’ concerns for the CBC’s stability. He did, however, address what he called the “underfunding” of the CBC. “The problem is that the government has not given us one extta cent in about 30 years,” said Cudmotre. The dispute between the CBC and the CMG centres on the corporation’s demand that it be allowed to hire more employees on contract. According to CBC spokesperson Jason MacDonald, fewer than five percent of CBC employees are contract employees. The union contends the number is closer to 30 percent if temporary workers are included. While hosts of some radio programs are currently contract employees, MacDonald dismissed the fear that journalists would become contract workers. “We think that it’s important for reporters to be per- manent employees,” he said. MacDonald acknowledged that the lock-out has com- promised the CBC’s ability to cover many things it would like to cover, but defended the coverage the broadcaster is providing. Cudmore, though, cited Hurricane Katrina, which rav- aged New Orleans late last month, as an example of how the lockout is limiting the range of information Canadians receive, saying that there will be no uniquely Canadian coverage of the event because private networks like CTV and Global rely on stories from American affiliates, instead of sending their own reporters, as the CBC does. WRITE FOR THE OP! Or apply for a position: - Sports Editor - Coquitlam Coordinator - Ad Manager For more information email Colin Miley: othereditor@yahoo.ca