POST Computer Systems

Depending on the type of pest that plagues your computer,
it may be very easy to detect an infection. That's the good news.
The bad news is some of the most dangerous infections,
especially from spyware, can be very difficult to detect.
That's why most of the checking and removing of pests
is done with software designed to do just that. Nevertheless,
there are some general symptoms you should know.

Your Computer Has a Mind of Its Own:

Spyware, trojans and other pests contact other computers, and each pest is program of its own, therefore they use system resources such as CPU cycles, memory and an Internet connection.

Slow Computer:

There are several reasons your computer may be running slow, but if you use it on a regular basis, then you're familiar with its noises, hang-ups and how it reacts. Older computers tend to run slower. Some applications cause computers to run slower. Computers are machines, they do not have moods. A sudden change in how your computer is running could be a sign of spyware or adware.

E-Mail Symptoms:

If you're getting a lot of bounced back mail and see evidence of e-mails being sent without your knowledge, then it's possible that trojan spamware has found its way onto your computer. Spamware is a trojan that can turn your computer into a spam launching pad and create headaches for unknowing computer users, especially if a virus is sent. Even if your computer is not being used to send spam, trojans can steal a copy of your e-mail address book and send it back to a spammer.

Noises, Bells and Whistles:

Victims of some trojans report CD drives opening and shutting, or programs opening and closing. Is your hard drive whirling away when you're not doing anything? Is there an unknown icon in your Windows system tray (lower right corner of your screen)? If you have an external modem, there may be lights indicating data tranfers blinking when you're not doing anything online. These are all signs a program may be up to no good in the background.

Offline Symptoms:

Keyboard loggers can capture passwords and user names, so if the bank, brokerage or credit card accounts you access online appear to have been tampered with, your computer may be a place to start looking for clues. User names and passwords to e-mail and Web-based applications are also vulnerable.

Instant Messaging Pestware:

An application called "Buddylinks," which requires end-users to download, install, and agree to an end-user agreement, is known to spread marketing messages via AOL's Instant Messenger (AIM). It appears to be a recommendation from an AIM user that encourages contacts to visit a Web page to download a video game, such as the "Osama Found" game.

Buried in the software's accompanying End User License Agreement (EULA) is a statement that AIM users who download it explicitly give their permission to send marketing messages to their Buddy List contacts. In this way, the program can spread itself by sending links to the Web page — while seeming to come from a known contact.

Rootkits:

A rootkit is a collection of tools an intruder brings along to a victim computer after gaining initial access. A rootkit generally contains network sniffers, log-cleaning scripts, and trojaned replacements of core system utilities. Although the intruders still need to break into a victim system before they can install their rootkits, the ease-of-use and the amount of destruction they cause make rootkits a big threat.