Computer Protection

1. Computer Protection Group 3 David Hutcherson Sabina Karkin Chris Kelly Andrew Kuo CS 4235B Daniel Lee March 16, 2005

2. Adware & SpywareDefinitions • Adware - “any software application in which advertisements are displayed while the program is running” • Spyware - “computer software that gathers and reports information about a computer user without the user’s knowledge or consent” • Both usually run in the background hidden from the computer user

3. The original form of spyware - tracking consumers’ web browsing habits through the use of cookies Primary use of spyware - figure out what kinds of things a consumer is interested in and then target ads specifically to them 91% of home PCs are infected by some kind of spyware today Background

4. Alternatives • Using Linux, Mac OS, or UNIX • Using browsers other than Internet Explorer, such as the Mozilla Foundation’s Firefox browser

5. Evaluation Criteria • Protection • Size of spyware database • Ability to track cookies, spyware resident in memory • Usability • Interface • Speed of the scan • Thoroughness of results • Support • Technical support • Documentation • Updates • Frequency • Ease of retrieval

6. Spybot Search & Destroy • Background • Developed by Patrick Kolla and Team Spybot • 45 different language versions • Test Methodology • 10 minute browsing of various sites on the Internet using IE 6 with the privacy option set to “Low” & then executing the scan • Installing NetZero & then executing the scan

7. Spybot Search & DestroyResults • Protection • Provides spyware and adware detection capabilities as well as dialers, keyloggers, and trojans • Blocks tracking cookies and potentially harmful Active X downloads • Spyware resident in memory and the registry are flagged • 6 types of spyware from Internet browsing • 1 spyware program from NetZero installation • Usability • Simple & intuitive • Default & advanced mode • Browsing: 2 min 39 sec; installation: 2 min 27 sec • Results not detailed • Support & Updates • Website tutorial • Monthly updates

8. Ad-Aware • Background • Lavasoft established in Germany in the mid 1990s • As of 2005, Ad-Aware is Lavasoft’s award winning software • Test Methodology • Reference file updated • Ad-Aware used to detect existing spyware/ adware currently running on the computer

9. Ad-AwareResults • Protection • Provides protection against spyware and adware programs • Checks for tracking cookies • Checks all the PCs files, drives, memory, and registry • 7 objects were recognized - all tracking cookies • Usability • Easy to use • Do not have to be computer savvy • Provides a data log with descriptive details of the objects found • Support & Updates • Home users & corporate users support • Allows for updates directly from the GUI • Reference file not updated frequently

10. Firefox • Background • Free graphical web browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation • Made available to Windows, Linux, and Mac platforms in over 30 languages • Test Methodology • Spybot Search & Destroy used to detect spyware and adware while using Firefox & IE • Two passes • Visiting sites • Navigating through sites

11. Firefox Results • Protection • Both IE & Firefox successfully blocked pop-ups • Visiting IE, Spybot caught 4 variations of spyware and 5 specific instances in the form of “tracking cookies” • Visiting Firefox, no infections of spyware and adware were found • Navigating through IE, Spybot detected 3 new variations of spyware and 4 specific instances in the form of “tracking cookies” • Again, Firefox prevented any infections of spyware or adware • Usability • Easy to understand • Good features - tabbed browsing, pop-up blocking, incremental finding • Support & Updates • Forums, newsgroups, chat • Bugzilla

12. Questions?