Many people don’t realize they can choose to use a browser other than Internet Explorer which comes with Microsoft operating systems. Anyone who uses a Web browser is at risk for spyware, but anyone using Internet Explorer for viewing Internet Web pages is particularly vulnerable, even if they are using anti-spyware programs.
(The Internet Explorer icon
looks like this)
Other higher education institutions have already suggested use of an alternative
browser. Penn State University recently suggested their 80,000+ users leave
Internet Explorer for safer alternatives:
(http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=55301109).
UW-Milwaukee suggests using an alternative browser such as Mozilla
Firefox.
(The Firefox icon looks like
this)
Firefox is a standards-based browser which may be downloaded free of charge. It
will easily import your bookmarks as well (see:
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/).
UWM help desk instructions and documentation for Firefox are available at https://support.imt.uwm.edu/myfaq/index.php?action=show&cat=387722.
It should be noted that all software is a target for spyware. While some programs are better by design, none are perfect and all require updates to stay as safe as possible. Firefox provides automatic and free updates for its product and is, by default, configured to download and install these automatically.
As Firefox is used by more and more people, it may indeed become a better target for spyware and virus writers, but many experts believe that the risks are lower with this product than they are for Internet Explorer.
Some spyware is detected by anti-virus products such as McAfee and Norton, but for the most part, such products don’t detect spyware. Use legitimate anti-spyware software.
SpyBot is an excellent choice because it is truly free and it includes a
real-time spyware detector. For more information, see
https://support.imt.uwm.edu/myfaq/index.php?action=show&cat=387699.
Ad-Aware is also another good product although it does not contain the same
monitoring capabilities as SpyBot.
Software companies are constantly producing new products claiming to add value to your computing experience, and releasing software “patches” for existing products to remedy security problems. Operating systems and hardware both seem to be in a never-ending cycle of upgrades. Producers of malicious software products often play on the need for constant tweaking and upgrades. So how is a computer user to know the difference between valuable utilities, upgrades and patches and malicious software?
a. If you are considering downloading software, ask yourself “what problem am I trying to solve?” and “have I checked with authoritative sources to verify the legitimacy of this product?" If you think you need to install something, verify this by going directly to the product's Web site and read the fine print, particularly when you are agreeing to an “End User License Agreement.” Then double check the product at other locations by performing an internet search through Google. If a product is spyware, a virus or a scam, there will usually be information about that. Be clear on the problem you are trying to solve. Don’t let an advertiser convince you that you have a problem you don’t know about.
b. Patching software is an important part of keeping your computer and your information secure. You can do this by only downloading patches and other fixes or upgrades from the manufacturer’s official Web site. For example, Microsoft has a Web site specifically set up for helping you keep your computer up to date.
Microsoft does not use direct marketing via spam email or pop-up ads to get people to install patches. Most legitimate software creators rarely, if ever, resort to direct marketing tactics to get you to install updates or new products. Most direct marketing software offers are neither legitimate nor a good idea. Usually if an offer is free to you, it is because it is being paid for by an advertiser to get at your information. If you do get an offer, verify its legitimacy at a known Internet site, not the link sent to you in the questionable email.
Aside from being simply irritating, pop-up ads can be a source of spyware and other malicious software. Consider using one of the pop-up blocking options included in Firefox and Internet Explorer.
UWM offers free spam-blocking options through the PantherMail program. Users can choose one of three levels of filtering for unwanted email.
See: http://www3.uwm.edu/security/steps/.
For more information about spyware
and safe browsing tips, please visit the security Web site at
http://www.security.uwm.edu.
