[Ham-Computers] RE: BackWeb Registry Keys (long)

[Hsu, Aaron]

This sounds like classic "Ad-ware", much akin to "Spy-ware".  Ad-ware is installed when one installs some other sofware - usually "free" downloaded software.  The most common source of ad-ware are the "free" peer-to-peer file sharing programs available out there (such as KaZaa, Morpheous, etc), but many supposedly "free" programs are are a host to Ad-ware and Spy-ware.

These "free" programs often aren't really free - they're advertising sponsored.  When you install the software, the license agreement often states that some ad-ware or spy-ware will be installed with the "host" software.  If you don't agree to the license agreement, then the installation will fail and you won't be able to use the "host" software.  If you do let the ad/spy-ware program install along with the "host", but then un-install the ad/spy-ware, often the "host" software will also stop working (or it will re-install the ad/spy-ware app).  What does the ad-ware do?  It displays some form of advertising when you run the "host" app.  Also, when you're connected to the internet, it downloads the latest ads to show you when you run the "host" app.  Yes, the downloads might only take up "spare" bandwidth on your 'net connection, but exactly how much "spare" bandwidth do you have if you only use a dial-up (modem) connection?  Some people still only have 33.6K connections (or slower due to line problems) and, compared to "broadband" connections, 33.6K *IS* spare bandwidth! <g>

Spy-ware is more sinister then Ad-ware.  Spy-ware also collects information about your computing habits (such as monitoring the following: where you "surf" the internet, what programs you use the most, how often you use the PC, just about anything the spy-ware authors want to collect).  This information is typically used as "marketing research" material to better target products to customers.  It is usually used in conjunction with Ad-ware to push advertising that corresponds to your interests.

How to get rid of Ad/Spy-ware?  The best way is to use an ad/spy-ware detection and removal tool.  IMHO, the *best* removal tool is also free for personal use - it's called "Ad-aware".  It will scan every bit of your system for known ad/spy-ware apps and give you the option to remove them.  You can also undo changes, just in case.  It works much like a virus scanner works - scans your files and registry for known ad/spy-ware, shows you what it found, and asks you what you want to do.  And, like AV software, it also has a signature update function.  You can get Ad-Aware from here:

http://www.lavasoftusa.com

They've grown from a *small* operation to a very professional software company over the past 2 years.  Another good page on ad/spy-ware can be found on Steve Gibson's website - his research a while back is what started the whole anti ad/spy-ware movement.  He wrote one of the first ad/spy-ware removal programs, "OptOut".  Though no longer available, the "OptOut" info page still has a history of how companies used ad/spy-ware and how they hid their actions.  The direct link is here:

http://grc.com - Main entry page
http://grc.com/optout.htm - OptOut page.

You didn't specifically ask a question in your post, Paul, but I think this probably answers the one you had, hi.  I highly suggest you download Ad-Aware (the free version) and let it run a scan of your system.  Make sure to run a signature update first so it's able to catch the latest ad/spy-ware apps out there!

73,

  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O (ex-KD6DAE)
    {nn6o}@arrl.net
    {athsu}@unistudios.com
    No-QRO Int'l #1,000,006
    . -..- - .-. .-   ".... . .- ...- -.--"
 


-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Ahkolik [mailto:kc7qvs@hotmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2003 9:08 PM
To: ham-computers@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Ham-Computers] BackWeb Registry Keys


Greetings to the list.


This is on the long side, so please forgive me.

I was in the process of cleaning up my system registry, (Win98 SE) when I 
found the following keys.
(Among others)


*** snip ***