Let's get rid of Spy ware

[YellowRubberDuckie]

Everyone is suing everyone for everything these days. Why don't we all get a class action suit going to get rid of all this spy ware bullshit? I have to run Ad Aware every day sometimes five times a day. also, is there a program that enables another user to run your computer from a remote location? Because either that, or my computer is completely possessed. Every day, random programs will just start up out of the blue, and I haven't done anything. Also, I'll be typing, posting on DU or writing an email, and my window will just go inactive, and stuff will start. Can someone please tell me what the hell is going on?
Duckie

[NashVegas]

1. Better Yet -

Why not just stop downloading freeware programs we don't really need?

[YellowRubberDuckie]

2. I agree....

[AntiBushRepub]

4. short answer, yes

There absolutely are programs that allow others to completely control your computer remotely without you knowing...

including things like turning on your mic and listening, turning on your webcam and looking into your house... eopening and closing your CD drive.. all kinds of things...

I am with you.... the scum-ware has to go....

Take back our PCs!

-An

[Blue_Chill]

3. I'm with you!

It should be illegal to add any programs to my computer without getting my OK.

[FireHeart]

8. It might be.

But if you READ the agreements attached to virtually all freeware/shareware products, you'd be surprised what you are agreeing TO.

Be cautious. Don't download anything you don't need and when you DO download something, read the licensing agreements carefully.

Avoid Real Media at all costs. They are a nasty bunch.

[grytpype]

5. Use Linux and open source software.

If you use corporate software, don't be surprised when the corporatists take over your computer.

http://debian.org

[Bossy Monkey]

6. An awful lot of programs (Real products most notoriously) phone home

trying to open an Internet connection whether you want them to or not. I finally just expunged all Real products from my computer, including the Registry.

It's also possible that you're infected with a trojan; most of them try to control your computer remotely, in a sense. Keep your virus definitions updated. You might also want to get Spybot Search & Destroy and Zone Alarm, assuming you don't have them already. Former catches some things AdAware doesn't, and also will inoculate your computer against future spyware/malware. Latter is a free firewall. At the moment with the Welchia/Nalchi fallout, it's blocking nearly 10,000 intrusions a day. Wheee!

[YellowRubberDuckie]

7. Thanks!

I'm ironing out some kinks right now, but it's already blocked something. Thanks, again.
Duckie