Here’s a nice list of anti-spyware tools that won’t cost you a mint.

I think the latest “predictions” regarding online threats by the fine and fair Department of Homeland Security are just their way of saying “We’re paying attention, and some legislator has a bill in waiting to pump up his/her profile prior to elections.”

Tops on the list of “predictions”….spear phishing (already happening), and brokerage account break-ins (don’t worry here, the brokerages are already pretty good at losing the data themselves).

The safety recommendations include the ultra-creative “turn on your firewall,” “install and update anti-virus and anti-spyware,” and “perform regular operating system updates.”

The insight, the forethought!

Wendy Selzer proclaims she doesn’t like anti-spyware zealots, and is putting her backing behind the latest institutional effort. It is awfully easy to pump up a new initiative backed by big money and academic smarts, but StopBadware.org isn’t the end all, be all of anti-anything, and the effort isn’t exactly their sole brainchild either.

Like spam before it (long long before it), it was the anti-spyware zealots who were on the front lines, fighting the battle, and making everyone aware of its existence. It is about technology, not politics. It is obscure to most - it isn’t the core subject matter for talking heads on national television. The zealots brought the matter to the attention of “the man,” and they deserve a little more credit than Ms. Selzer is giving.

And don’t count on one organization to solve the problem either. Despite massive institutional intervention, I am getting more spam than ever.

When the question is asked, it usually relates to some kind of video surveillance. But when it has to do with purported anti-spyware programs circulating the web, maybe someone should ask the question again.

I was wondering when someone would provide a generic solution for the spyware. You are forced to install several anti-spyware packages because the firms that make them classify their targets based on which way the wind blows. I thought if someone put together a free package which was distributed anonymously over the net, the spyware companies would have nobody to get mad at. My wishes have not be granted, at least not with respect to spyware.

But on the anti-virus front, there are some free choices that might be worth trying. I am uncertain as to how and when (and by who) a free anti-virus package will keep definition files updated, but free is free after all. Maybe they become that generic solution for you commercial anti-virus’s shortcomings.

While I don’t buy into the idea that new Windows machines coming with firewalls turned on and trial-ware for viruses and spyware eliminations makes the world a much better place, at least someone is actually aware there are issues.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is now warning banks to beware of spyware. Of course, Reuters just had to reach by comparing spyware data theft to the CardSystems data theft, which just keeps getting bigger.

Lets first set the record straight by saying that a data intermediary storing information in reckless disregard of its customers retention policies, and then having that data swiped, has absolutely nothing to do with spyware.

Yes - spyware can be a menace to banking transactions, and the warning is justified. But banks can do little to stem the tide when it is consumers that are downloading spyware-laden software. Having banks provide specific warnings directly to consumers (and maybe even give away some solid anti-spyware software to their online banking customers), would be a good logical next step.

We have heard this a few times before, based on various security firm tests. But just so people don’t get complacent about internet security (or think that the firms doing the tests are just there for pushing products), here it is again…

It can take as little as 12 minutes for an unprotected PC connected to the internet to catch some sort of nasty bug. That is less time than it takes to get anti-virus, anti-spyware, and a firewall installed on a fresh PC.

Microsoft has been talking about Sender-ID for some time. Now they are making headlines in pushing the technology into their mainstream applications. But one major publisher cannot tell the whole story (they never do).

Word has it that as of yesterday, Microsoft’s Hotmail service now requires incoming email to be Sender-ID compliant. Some email marketing firms can jump on the bandwagon for their clients, and get emails through Hotmail without much trouble. But what about the little guy?

You can bet that a lot of emails are going to get bounced, or wind up in the junk mail folder. While MIcrosoft might think this is a good move, as floods of people will now move to their camp, many others will not, and the only ones who will suffer are Hotmail users.

On a separate note, Microsoft is set to release an update of its anti-spyware beta software. I wonder if this update will block all functionality of the Google Toolbar?

While it usually takes a few different anti-spyware tool installs to ensure you are rid of the nasties, you may be best off sticking with some of the bigger names. There are some lesser known anti-spyware apps floating around that claim to be ridding you of spyware, but are really just a ploy to get you to buy a subscription. As if figuring out the difference between spyware, adware, and malware wasn’t already hard enough (thanks in no small part to all the babble coming from the purveyors), we now have “ransomware” to ad to the list.

Ransomware does not really protect you from spyware. You download the free trial, and install in on your machine. The program immediately starts notifying you of bugs your other programs failed to find. Then, you think this is great protection, and you buy a subscription. Unfortunately, the bugs these programs are finding don’t exist - the program falsifies the notifications. The moment you enter your newly purchased password, the program stops “finding” the fake bugs.

What’s worse, some of these programs embed themselves in Windows registries, so even after you delete the program, manually or otherwise, they keep popping up.

Simply unbelievable what some people will do for a few quick bucks.