Switched on - Hunt and kill hidden 'spies'
February 08, 2005 Edition 1
Andrew Parker
I'm still on my quest to speed up your PC! I hope you found the last two columns useful. If you tried the steps I suggested but failed to notice any significant performance improvements, there are still a few more avenues to investigate.
Two of these are disk defragmentation and spyware removal.
Disk defragmentation helps to speed up access to information stored on the hard disk, by finding related parts of files that are spread all over the disk and placing them together, thereby reducing the time taken for the computer to find and open files.
Since Windows 95, Microsoft has provided a free defragmenter tool with the Windows operating system. This can be accessed by clicking Start-Programs-Accessories-System Tools-Disk Defragmenter.
While it is easy to run, the free tool often stops and starts over, which can be frustrating as the whole process can end up taking hours. If you're going to try it, I recommend closing all programs, disabling screen savers, and running the defragmenter overnight.
If that doesn't appeal to you, try the new "set it and forget it" defragmenter software called Diskeeper 9, from Executive Software.
This nifty little program is available at www.execsoft-europe.com
You'll need to fill in a few details before downloading a free trial version. This is fully functional and will allow you to carry on working while the program silently re-arranges your hard drive.
After the trial period expires, you can choose to purchase the software if you feel it would be useful, or you may uninstall it using Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel.
Spyware
"Spyware" is a generic term describing software whose purpose is to collect demographic and usage information from your computer. When this is done for advertising purposes, the software is known as "Adware".
The term is also used to describe software that "sneaks" on to the system or performs other activities hidden to the user. Often, several spyware programs run at once, transmitting information back to their respective servers, slowing down internet,
e-mail and system performance. Spyware programs have become very prevalent of late, particularly on ADSL-connected PCs.
I've seen many computers lately that have become heavily infested in a fairly short period, all having sluggish performance and general system instability problems. Spyware software could effectively be the "computer virus of the future".
One of the best utilities available to effectively detect and remove Spyware and Adware infections is Lavasoft's Ad-Aware software, which is a free download from www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
Once you have downloaded and installed Ad-Aware, you will be prompted to check for the latest Ad-Aware reference files. In the same way that it's important to keep the virus definition files within your antivirus software updated, these reference files should be kept current by using the "Check for updates now" button to download the newest reference file before every scan.
Remember, an active internet connection is needed to download these reference files.
Ad-Aware's controls are fairly simple, but you can e-mail online@intech.co.za for assistance if needed.
One of the best sources of information I've found is the Spyware Guide website at www.spywareguide.com - which provides volumes of information on spy and anti-spy programs alike.
