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Las Vegas Computer Company Goes Guerilla on Spyware



After receiving an alert to a serious vulnerability in Microsoft Windows which allows computers to become infected with no user interaction required, Matt Fleming, owner of Alicent, LLC. decided to test the flaw. Typically, a user must physically click on a link or button to allow these malicious programs to be installed on their computers. The Windows vulnerability allows people to become infected by doing nothing more than viewing a Web site or email with a specially crafted image file. The Web site Fleming arrived at during his test closed his browser window instantly and within seconds, his computer was infected with "SpywareStrike". The software caused pop-up ads to appear on the screen every few seconds alerting him that he was infected with Spyware. It then directed him to a Web site where he could purchase SpywareStrike for $49, which was supposed to fix his problems.



Once he determined that the company was not legitimate, he set up his own campaign against the company by purchasing the non-existent domain that "SpywareStrike" was directing complaints to. He has been personally responding to every email with specific instructions for the removal of this parasite from their system as well as to protect them from future infections.



Tactics like this are becoming more common as rogue anti-Spyware programs begin to flood the market. These programs offer a free scan, sometimes infecting computers with Spyware of their own, creating pop-up ads until the users give in and spend the money for their software, or spending $100 or more for a technician to repair the problem for them. These applications provide no protection against Spyware. Some specific examples of these malicious programs are: SpyAxe, SpywareStrike, SpySheriff, and SpyTrooper.



Computer viruses were originally created and spread with the purpose of disrupting computer usage. Today, these virus-like programs are spreading themselves to generate revenue. Most of these bogus anti-Spyware Web sites are hosted outside the United States which makes is more difficult to track them down and bring them to justice. This places the burden of protecting computers from Spyware on the consumer.



Tips for preventing Spyware infections on your computer:

1. Run Windows Update regularly ensuring all essential patches are installed weekly.

2. Avoid downloading free software without researching the software on Google. If a program has Spyware attached to it, usually the first few results from Google will provide removal instructions for the product.

3. Do not allow a Web site to install anything on your computer unless you are certain what you are installing, Macromedia Flash for example.

4. If you are unsure, navigate away from the page.

For more information, contact Matt Fleming at (702) 804-9289.






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