WebCT

Spyware, Adware and Other Deceptive Software

Spyware (also known as adware) is software that enables advertisers or identity thieves to record or track your movements around the internet or collect personal or sensitive information. This software is often installed on your computer without your knowledge or approval. It can be downloaded to your computer simply by visiting some web pages, or it can accompany other software that you have requested to download and install. Some of the more dangerous spyware that can invade your computer tracks keystrokes from your keyboard and then sends that data back to someone who may use if for identity theft. Not all ad software is bad, but it is good practice to read all license agreements and privacy statements before downloading and installing software.

Spyware can affect performance of programs running on your computer. For example, if your computer starts running more slowly than usual, you may have some unwanted software running undetected in the background. Spyware can also prevent you from accessing web sites like WebCT, by "hijacking" your browser and redirecting you to another web site. They may also interfere with downloading other software and installing programs like Java.

There are numerous screening programs available to help with this problem, but we have found that two free programs, Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy, to be the most successful in ridding your computer of these programs. Click the links below to download.

No single anti-spyware program will likely detect all spyware, so we suggest running multiple programs. Each program will scan for spyware and, if found, will give you the option to delete them, quarantine them, or leave them alone. You should remove any critical objects detected.

Ad-Aware - (personal version is free) Click Ad-Aware Personal link in the left navigation and then click the Download Now button and follow the instructions provided.

Spybot Search & Destroy- (freeware, but accepts donations) Click the Download link in the left navigation and then click the first Download Here button shown for the Spybot program. Then choose the Download Here button for any one of the mirror sites listed and follow the download instructions provided on that site.

Note: You have to run these programs manually--they will not automatically detect spyware like your virus protection software does. It is recommended that you run these programs once every two weeks. You should check for updates to the data definitions each time you launch the program so that it will scan for the latest spyware.

Content Developer: Beverley Hoerig