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Thread ID: 59547	2005-07-05 09:04:00	Spyware issues	Bodes (8475)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
369662	2005-07-05 09:04:00	I downloaded “spybot” and came up with 187 issues and deleted these. Had a problem after this with a file called “media access” so using the advice of the knowledgeable members of this forum downloaded “adaware” which found another 120 issues! Does this mean spybot missed the issues adaware picked up and if so is this normal? In any case, the problem I had with the media access file seems to be fixed (no more duplicating windows and can’t find it on the program file list in explorer) – so thank you to those who responded under my thread last night “spybot problem”. Whilst searching my “C” drive program files I noticed “Xerox” folder with another folder therein called “nwwia” which has nothing in it. So I thought just right click and delete this – but alas a box pops up saying it can’t be deleted (just like the media access folder last night – but that folder had things in it). Any ideas on what this folder is and should I be worried?	Bodes (8475)
369663	2005-07-05 09:16:00	Check it out through a Search Engine, see if you can find some info on it and if you decide you don't want it then boot into Safe Mode ( by pressing F8 during boot up) and try removing it from there. HTH........m And yes one malware program will not pick up exactly what another malware program will pick up, depends on definitions, updates, malware tricks, sunspots.... :eek:	mark c (247)
369664	2005-07-05 09:57:00	Ad-Aware and Spybot will not remove everything either and as 307 have already been found there is a possibility that more exist. You should run HijackThis and get the log file checked. Have you realized by now that most of this spyware has been installed as a result of you using Windows programs. There are other options.	Safari (3993)
369665	2005-07-05 10:05:00	Safari, You do realise that a huge amount of spyware is given permission to install by the user, especially now that many of the loopholes have been closed with updates. What say you when Kazza is distibuted for the MAC with a half dozen parasite programs and installed by the user, If 5 seconds later the comp is getting popups, net access is going crazy and the home page has been changed would this be the users fault?,or would it be that the software has suddenly lost its superority?	Metla (12)
369666	2005-07-05 10:15:00	I was really pointing out that there are other web browsers apart from IE. I did not even have Macs on my mind when I posted but I could develop that theme.	Safari (3993)
369667	2005-07-05 10:23:00	I wasnn't getting at that, I was just musing the other day about the amount of spyware that is installed by users,and how I have seen a drop in certain types on machines that are patched. Which got me thinking about parasite programs, the common user and the types of delivery methods that the scammers would use if Mac was able to get a bigger user base and become a worthwhile target. The reports of Apple viruses (yes, I know the reports are without substance) all point to the user having to install the virus, And from my experience a huge number of the genera Windows using population will blindly install and run spyware/adware without a seconds thought. So, I figuired I would bring the subject up with our resident Mac expert.......	Metla (12)
369668	2005-07-05 10:43:00	Does this mean spybot missed the issues adaware picked up and if so is this normal? Whilst searching my “C” drive program files I noticed “Xerox” folder with another folder therein called “nwwia” which has nothing in it. So I thought just right click and delete this – but alas a box pops up saying it can’t be deleted They are best used together for this reason. However the second scan would have had a lot of cookies too. Always good to remove the ones it focuses on. Get Hijackthis as suggested and run that to. There is a program called Unlocker which you can use to delete the annoying folder. Or boot into safe mode and then try to delete it normally.	pctek (84)
369669	2005-07-05 10:44:00	The state of OS X's security is rather healthy. At the heart of the operating system is a Unix core that has been lovingly audited by the devoted open source community for years By default, OS X users do not log on to a Mac as the root user - with access to the directory that includes all other directories. This effectively isolates the amount of damage that could potentially be done to a machine. So while a user could switch to root, it is only through a fairly obscure path and certainly not something that could be enabled accidentally. In addition, the majority of applications - widgets aside - do not auto-install and require an administrator password to proceed. Spyware – programs that record information, such as browsing habits or keystrokes, and send it to a remote server – runs rampant on Windows, but there are currently no real spyware programs that affect the Mac and I believe due to the nature of the operating system they would be extremely difficult to install if it was attempted.	Safari (3993)
369670	2005-07-05 10:51:00	um, That didn't answer any of the questions I raised, If addional software is downloaded and installed the user would have to have full permission to install run it?....correct? And parasite software could also be installed at teh same time and be able to run unhinred?....correct? Thus we would have a spyware infected machine? These are real questions, Im not referring to hijacks auto-installing through a browser, (was that a marketing speech you just gave me?, I am well awere that Windows has an issue with spyware,and that Mac at present doesn't)	Metla (12)
369671	2005-07-05 11:01:00	but there are currently no real spyware programs that affect the Mac and I believe due to the nature of the operating system they would be extremely difficult to install if it was attempted. sorry i certainly can't agree that it will be difficult to install spyware on a MAC or any linux pc. if you can install a normall program, you can install a spyware program. the only difference between the two is which side of the fence you are on. most "spyware" are legit programs. proberly only half would use a malicous method of install. the rest are simply installed by users.	tweak'e (69)
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