Counter-Espionage For Your PC

CBS' Larry Magid On Fighting Spyware And Phishers

(CBS)  Defending yourself against phishing attacks requires you to be a bit circumspect when you get a message that appears to be from a bank or other legitimate company you may do business with. If they ask you to click on a link or provide information, don't do it. If you want to provide information to such a company, type in the URL yourself, or - better yet - call the company to see if the message is legitimate. If they're asking you for personal information, it's probably a scam.

There are numerous tools you can download or purchase to help protect yourself. One of the better tools to combat spyware is Spybot Search and Destroy, which you can get for free from Download.com. This software will scan your PC to locate spyware and then allow you to remove it. You have to use it on a fairly regular basis to be sure you're protected from the ever-growing list of threats.

WebRoot's Spy Sweeper is an excellent commercial anti-spyware program that automatically regularly sweeps your computer to locate and remove spyware. You can download a free trial copy from Webroot.com, but you have to pay $29.95 for a year's worth of updates and support.

Spyware is just one of several threats to your PC so, for many users, it makes sense to purchase an application that will guard against spyware as well as viruses, hackers, spam, phishing and other pests.

Many of the companies that sell anti-virus software now offer Internet safety "suites" that protect you from a multitude of sins. Symantec, famous for its Norton Anti-Virus, now has a Norton Internet Security Spyware Edition ($79.95) that includes Norton AntiVirus, Spyware Protection, a personal firewall (to keep out intruders), privacy controls, and parental controls to help keep your kids away from inappropriate web sites.

McAfee, another major anti-virus company offers an Internet SecuritySuite ($49.99), designed to protect you from spyware and adware, unwanted inbound and outbound Internet traffic, malicious e-mail, phishing web sites and "offensive online content, including pop-ups and ads."

Zone Labs, which has long offered a firewall program to keep intruders and hackers at bay, has recently expanded its offerings. Its ZoneAlarm Security Suite includes software to protect against spyware, viruses, spam, and abusive instant messages. It also has parental controls to filter out inappropriate web sites.

The company's strategy is to use best-of-breed applications for each category: its own firewall protection and spyware protection along with anti-virus software from Computer Associates and anti-spam software from MailFrontier.

I've been using the new version 6.0 for a few weeks and while no security product gives you an ironclad guarantee, this software certainly succeeds at stopping spam (that I know for sure) and it appears to do a good job blocking viruses and spyware.

Whatever protections you decide to purchase or download, make sure you have the latest version of the operating system (Windows XP users should be using Service Pack 2, which has a lot of security features) and be sure your protection software is up-to-date.

It's wise to remember that you can never be 100 percent certain that all malicious invaders have been detected and blocked: some spyware and viruses do a very good job at staying under the radar.

Finally, as is the case with airbags, seatbelts and any other form of protection, don't be complacent - even if you do have security software in place.

Software protection can help, but it's no substitute for vigilance and safe computing habits.

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A syndicated technology columnist for nearly two decades, Larry Magid serves as on air Technology Analyst for CBS Radio News. His technology reports can be heard several times a week on the CBS Radio Network. Magid is the author of several books including "The Little PC Book."