Smith College Technology And Resource Adviser

PARASITEWARE ON WINDOWS COMPUTERS

"Parasiteware", also known as "spyware" or "adware", is unwanted software that can install itself on your Windows computer when you download files from the Internet.

In some cases, these programs are downloaded and installed along with file-sharing and instant messaging applications. (The actual file-sharing and instant messaging applications are not known to cause problems themselves.)

Why is parasiteware a problem?
Which programs are known to cause problems?
How can I avoid inadvertently installing these programs?
How can I tell if any problem software is already on my computer?
What should I do if I find one of the problem programs?
Can McAfee VirusScan help protect my computer from spyware?
What if I've removed all the problem programs I can find, but I still can't connect to the Internet?

Why is parasiteware a problem?

In addition to monitoring the websites you visit and the software you've installed on your computer, these programs can also cause problems with your network connection. In the worst case, they can make you lose your Internet and local network access altogether.

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Which programs are known to cause problems?

Here are some of the programs known to cause connection problems:

BonziBUDDY
ClickTilUWin
Comet Cursor
Dlder.exe*
eAccelerator
FREE Forte
Gator's Offer Companion
New.Net
OnFlow Player
Radiate Advertising
SaveNow
TopText
Web Client
Web Hancer
Webcelerator
Zone Alarm
For further information about many of these programs, see: http://in.tech.yahoo.com/011107/22/18d34.html

* This problem program might have been installed on your computer if you downloaded certain versions of Grokster, Bearshare, LimeWire, Net2Phone, or KaZaA. To find out, go to Start | Find | Files or Folders and search for: dlder.exe

If you find it, you can use a program called dlder-remove.exe to remove it. This program does not install any files; it simply removes all traces of the dlder.exe program. Here's the procedure:

Click here: dlder-remove.exe
In the Save As window, navigate to your Desktop and save the file there.
The dlder-remove icon will appear on your desktop. Click on it to run the program.

How can I avoid inadvertently installing these programs?

Always choose a custom setup. If you download an application that requires a separate setup or installation procedure after the download, always choose the custom option. A custom procedure typically shows you a list of all the software components bundled with the application, and allows you to de-select unwanted components before they are installed.
Don't accept "helpful" offers. Sometimes problem software is attached to files you've recently downloaded, but isn't actually installed. Instead, you'll see an offer to store your passwords for you, or to speed up your Internet connection. If you accept the offer, the problem software is installed. Your best bet is to never accept these offers, since they typically cause far more harm than good.

How can I tell if any problem software is already installed on my computer?

1. Close all applications.
2. Click on the Start button and select Settings, then Control Panel.
3. Double-click on the Add/Remove Programs icon.
4. Click on the Install/Uninstall tab.

You'll see a list of all the software you can uninstall from your computer yourself. Compare what you see to the list of problem programs above.

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What should I do if I find one of the problem programs?

Click on the name of the program, then click the Add/Remove button. This will remove the program from your system.
After you remove all undesired software, reboot your system to finalize the changes.

It may be impossible to remove some programs if you want to keep their associated file-sharing applications. However, removing what you can still does a lot of good for your computer.

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Can McAfee VirusScan help protect my computer from spyware?

Yes, but only if you have installed VirusScan 8.5.0i Plus, which includes McAfee's new AntiSpyware program. Unlike Ad-Aware or Spybot, the AntiSpyware program runs continuously in the background, automatically detects and removes any spyware it finds, and keeps its spyware definitions up-to-date all on its own.

To download a free copy of VirusScan 8.5.0i Plus (for Windows XP & Vista only), visit the Smith software download page: http://www.smith.edu/smithsoftware

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What if I've removed all the problem programs I can find, but I still can't connect to the Internet?

On Windows XP computers:

Click Start, then Run.
The Run window will open. In the Open field, type: winipcfg and press Enter.
The IP Configuration window will open. If the current selection is "PPP adapter", click on the down arrow at the right of the field and select your Ethernet card from the drop-down menu.
You should see a list of address numbers. Click the Release button, wait a few seconds, then click Renew.
A new IP Address number should appear. Go to the IP Address section below.

IP Address:

If your new IP Address begins with "131", it means you have a working network connection. But if you still can't access the Internet with your browser:
1. Check your list of installed software again to see if you missed any of the problem programs listed above.
2. If not, try uninstalling your actual file-sharing programs, then reboot to see if your browser is working again.
3. If you still can't connect to the Internet, call the User Support Center at x4487.
If you don't see any new IP address, or you see all zeros, or you see an address beginning with "169", you do not have a working network connection.

This could mean that your Ethernet card or the software drivers that control your card are not installed properly. Or, the card itself, your cable, or your wall connection might be physically broken. Please call the User Support Center at x4487 for help with further diagnosis.