Adware - Spyware - Malware
Forum: User Feedback
Topic: Adware - Spyware - Malware
started by: ke4nt1
Posted by ke4nt1 on June 25 2004,06:51
Finally, spybot is back in business, with some new updates.For months, their last update was back in March 2004.
Of course, on running it on my fully patched copy of XP, it
detected about 75 new copies of '*ware', which Ad-aware didn't
ever find, even after a fresh update of Ad-aware...
My next thought was, what about DSL and Firefox/Dillo ??
Can they harbour these types of files?
(Even if they are harmless to Linux, do they stilll function ?)
( work, track, phone-home, monitor clicks-keystrokes-log, etc...)
Now, since I usually run LiveCD from a fresh boot, that's
understandably clean and pristine to start.
But what about my 'restore' of my bookmarks, cache, etc AFTER
bootup ? .. Since 'Firefox' has the same features in the linux
version as the M$ version(history, password recall, cache, etc.)
Is there a risk involved here? and how does one remove these
files, or block/filter them, and be sure they are not carried over
during the next 'filetool.sh' restore?
ke4nt
Posted by l0st on June 25 2004,08:03
It is always possible to install adware / spyware - even in linux. But it seems that it isn't happening right now.Just watch out...
Also, referring to the firefox issue, as long as you don't install unknown extensions, you're OK.
Posted by TyphoonMentat on June 25 2004,17:40
As far as I'm aware, spyware and malware are near enough impossible to get on Linux - sure, you might have some in your cache, but as they're Windows executables they won't run. Linux isn't an operating system which needs antivirus software in general, and that's one of its greatest advantages.
Posted by l0st on June 26 2004,02:41
You're missing the point - I'm talking about linux spyware.If anyone's dumb enough to run an unknown shell script (which is bound to happen when linux becomes mainstream) you've got malware.
Posted by hasty on June 26 2004,14:04
Best just to run from the live CD then 
Create your own with your chosen dsl extensions and they'll never track you down, especially if you keep switching iSP's..........
BTW thanks Ke4nt1 for the heads up about spybot. I hadn't checked lately.
Posted by hasty on June 26 2004,14:59
Remembered http://www.privoxy.org/To quote their home page
"Privoxy is a web proxy with advanced filtering capabilities for protecting privacy, modifying web page content, managing cookies, controlling access, and removing ads, banners, pop-ups and other obnoxious Internet junk. "