How do you know when programs are installed and run without your consent?

[afamative]

Hello,

How can one correctly find out what programs have been installed (maybe programs that come for free downloads) and actually run and do things not sanctioned by the computer owner.

I have noticed that even when my machine is idle but connected to the internet, there is appreciable traffic to and from the machine. This is actually new to me and my machine. My anti virus program is up to date, my windows update is up to date, I have used some anti spyware removal tools without any finding any spyware on my machine.

My machine runs slowly even at start up. I have defragmented my hard disk.

I can't remember what I have not done yet I have this feeling that some programs may be running at the background and doing things I will certainly not want done on my machine.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[B&T]

What is the OS?

[afamative]

Thanks. Windows XP Pro

[winbyte]

It could be a simple matter of spyware running in the background. Get a program such as spybot, adaware, spysweeper etc and run it to see what kind of crap is clogging the arteries of your computer. Google for those, most have a free trial version or is out and out free.

[Nino]

Also, if you are not using a firewall, you could try one.
Not only can it report attempts to connect to your computer, it also tells you which programs attempt to access the internet and asks for your permission.

There are free versions out there that you can try:
ZoneAlarm
www.zonelabs.com

Outpost Firewall
www.agnitum.com

[afamative]

Thanks. Will check out the tools and see if they pick something up.

The confusing thing is; what stops other spyware programs coming with the removal tools? I understand most spyware come from free downloads, infatc my machine got infected once with a virus from google.com while downloading the google toolbar.

Will still get the anti spyware tools you recommended.

[B&T]

ctrl - alt- del will give you the task manager. you can look at the apps and processes that are running. this assumes you know what you are looking for :D

[afamative]

I always look at the task manager but the problem is this; when I don't know a particular application to look for, how and why should I stop any process or program?

Like you said, if I know of a program that isn't supposed to be there I will simply stop it but if I don't, too bad.

I have noticed just few errors (3) today when I have seen up to 200 in just 20 minutes of being connected, all from oustide my machine.

I may have to see if this problem is coming from the ISP itself.

Thanks.

[XJnick]

I have noticed that even when my machine is idle but connected to the internet, there is appreciable traffic to and from the machine.

Some ISPs send out pings or such every so often to the computer. Maybe that's the traffic you see? Or is it steady traffic?

[davidjovan]

Download this program called Starter from here. Install and run it. It shows everything that starts up w/your machine. Disable what u don't need.

http://www.snapfiles.com/download/dlstarter.html

[afamative]

XJnick,

It's not steady traffic, l didn't notice anything today. Sometimes some programs I have been using even get highlighted as new installed programs on the start menu.

davidjovan,

Thanks for the link. I will check it out right away.

[extras]

Other than ZoneAlarm, Kerio has a firewall free for
home/personal use.
I'm testing it. So far, it seems nice.

http://www.kerio.com/us/kpf_home.html

[afamative]

Hi extras,

This firewall, is it really different from what Microsoft is offering? My internet connection is firewalled.

I have been reading of late how people are canvassing for Internet Explorer to be dumped as it has so many security holes.

The whole thing is confusing and frustrating, you do all you can to have a healthy computer and things start happening even without you wanting them to.

[davidjovan]

I found this browser called Avant Browser. Functions and feels like IE but with additional features. Check out what they say about it here http://www.snapfiles.com/get/ieopera.html

and then you know the king of all browsers, Opera, that lets u get around all those scripts they use to restrict access to pictures, yada, yada.

http://www.opera.com

[extras]

Hi extras,

This firewall, is it really different from what Microsoft is offering? My internet connection is firewalled.


When it comes to the security, I don't trust MS at all.


I have been reading of late how people are canvassing for Internet Explorer to be dumped as it has so many security holes.


Probably, most softwares have security hole somewhere.
But IE has many and they are well known (to bad people).
IE cannot be used in a secure manner unless you use
local filterring proxy.


The whole thing is confusing and frustrating, you do all you can to have a healthy computer and things start happening even without you wanting them to.

MS and some other big corporation don't tell the truth,
just like many politicians.
Stop trusting what they say, and you don't have to get confused.

Currently, we have to use Windows for certain hardwares.
But IE and OE can be dumped painlessly.
I think it's suicidal to use these.

However, don't overtrust other browser/mailer/OS.
Everyone makes mistake.
All programs have bug.
Nobody is invulnerable.

[afamative]

I guess it's time to move on and forget IE. Everyone can't be wrong.

I have received the same info/comments from almost everywhere IE is discussed apart from Microsoft itself.

Politicians, business owners, hard to differentiate between the two.

Many thanks for all the responses.

[XJnick]

Hi,

I too would NEVER trust Microsoft with security. As for a personal Firewall, I like and would recommend ZoneAlarm from http://www.zonelabs.com/ (they do have a free version).

As for the browser, I use Mozilla Firefox and couldn't be happier. It is a stable browser with many good features which IE lacks, and is more secure. You can download it from http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/ :D

[extras]

If you use firefox, checkout this extension. Very useful.
Web Developer 0.8
http://update.mozilla.org/extensions/moreinfo.php?application=firefox&id=60&vid=63

A few other extensions I found useful.

CloseTab on double click
http://update.mozilla.org/extensions/moreinfo.php?id=18&vid=230&category=

Focus Last Selected Tab 0.6
http://update.mozilla.org/extensions/moreinfo.php?id=32&vid=33&category=

LiveHTTPHeader
http://livehttpheaders.mozdev.org/

There are many other.
(Mixing too many extensions may cause strange behavior)

[XJnick]

Hi,

extras, I do use quite a few extensions and really like them! I hadn't heard of the web developer one you mentioned. It sounds interesting, though. thanks for the links :D

[dhom]

and then you know the king of all browsers, Opera, that lets u get around all those scripts they use to restrict access to pictures, yada, yada.

http://www.opera.com

Opera is a wonderful browser. I found it when I was reading through the W3schools website:

http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_opera.asp

(Edit: oops! I've fixed the link above so it points to the right page.)

I'm using it now with a network account that is totally locked out of the Windows registry, and everything still installed and runs fine. It had most of the features I wanted without needing to add any extensions. It does seem to me to be a bit slower and less stable than FireFox, though.

[esc]

When I'm running my Windoze systems, I run Ad-aware. SpyBot and SpywareBlaster. Largely because I don't trust Micro$loth and Windoze. :rolleyes:

SpyBot come with a resident application called TeaTimer. It monitors changes to your registry. It tells you about them and gives you the option of allowing the change or not.