PC Magazine Fighting Spyware, Viruses, and Malware (Paperback)

by Ed Tittel (Author) "To some extent, it's reasonable to view the Internet as "the ultimate jungle" of lore and story: deep, dark, and full of dangerous denizens..." (more)
Key Phrases: unwanted software, malware item, tasklist command, Fighting Spyware, Internet Explorer, Windows Firewall (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Think there's no malicious software on your computer? PC Magazine thinks you should think again.

Scans by ISPs have revealed as many as twenty-eight spyware programs running on the average home computer--like yours. That's a lot of people prying into what's on your PC, and a DSL or cable connection is a virtual welcome mat. But by following Ed Tittel's advice, you can learn how invasions occur, spot an infestation, repair damage that's already done, and slam the door on those who want to hijack your PC--along with your wallet.

Here's how you can
* Learn to recognize when a Trojan horse, a virus, adware, or spyware has invaded your PC
* Get the tools that can cure an infection
* Dig into the Windows Registry to remove the nastiest of bugs
* Prevent a recurrence with personal firewalls and protective software
* Deal with the onslaught of spam
* Keep your defenses up-to-date


Give it the boot

If you believe you've caught something and you're willing to kiss everything goodbye that you've added to or changed ... since the last time you booted up your computer ... try this. While Windows is first booting up, hit the F8 key .... Choose the Last Known Good Configuration option, and Windows should boot running the version of the Registry that existed the last time your system booted--that is, before you got infected.
-- From Chapter 4

From the Back Cover
Think there's no malicious software on your computer? PC Magazine thinks you should think again.

Scans by ISPs have revealed as many as twenty-eight spyware programs running on the average home computer—like yours. That's a lot of people prying into what's on your PC, and a DSL or cable connection is a virtual welcome mat. But by following Ed Tittel's advice, you can learn how invasions occur, spot an infestation, repair damage that's already done, and slam the door on those who want to hijack your PC—along with your wallet.

Here's how you can

• Learn to recognize when a Trojan horse, a virus, adware, or spyware has invaded your PC
• Get the tools that can cure an infection
• Dig into the Windows Registry to remove the nastiest of bugs
• Prevent a recurrence with personal firewalls and protective software
• Deal with the onslaught of spam
• Keep your defenses up-to-date

Give it the boot

If you believe you've caught something and you're willing to kiss everything goodbye that you've added to or changed ... since the last time you booted up your computer ... try this. While Windows is first booting up, hit the F8 key .... Choose the Last Known Good Configuration option, and Windows should boot running the version of the Registry that existed the last time your system booted—that is, before you got infected.
— From Chapter 4

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 382 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (December 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764577697
• ISBN-13: 978-0764577697
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #608,470 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fighting malware, August 4, 2005

By	W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Tittel can certainly unsettle the reader! He warns of the increasing encroachments against your computer. The biggest single danger is that this might be your home computer. Not a computer at your workplace, for which you might be able to ask a sysadmin for help.

So it's you and Tittel against the 3 menaces. Be aware that the terminology in the text and title may vary from what others use. Often, malware is taken to include viruses. I think he chose to break viruses out separately from malware so that the title would outreach to more people. Malware is still somewhat of a techie term, while spyware and viruses have broader recognition.

Naturally, since we're discussing personal computers, the text tends to focus on those running a Microsoft operating system. But in fact, much of his advice applies to Macs and linux/unix machines. Though users of the former 2 types might take heart in knowing that most viruses or worms won't go after their machines.

Tittel explains that increasingly, it's harder to draw clear lines between malware, spyware and adware. But he shows how to use existing anti-malware products that can scan for these and remove them. These products use combinations of signatures of known malware, and also search for "strange" activity that is typical of malware. However, since new variants of malware are continually being developed and found, you should always download the latest sets of signatures from your vendor, before running the tests.

Tittel also gives a succinct description of phishing. A particularly virulent type of malware that has increased enormously in the last 2 years. He suggests that you scrutinise the links and be very wary of any message that asks for personal information; either in a reply, or in a web page pointed to from that message. Unfortunately, the phishers continue to refine their tactics and many users simply aren't savvy enough to follow Tittel's suggestions. These users may be a minority, but there are enough of them to make this worthwhile for the phishers.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wordy but helpful, March 17, 2006

By	Music Man "Joel" (South Carolina) - See all my reviews

This book gives alot of information, probably more than most will want to read. But if you can wade through all of it you will find some very useful information. It is very techinical information. It does however provide an indepth explanation of how viruses, hijackers, etc work and what you can do to protect yourself. Overall it is a great buy with very much useful info.

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the Best, April 7, 2008

By	private "Icerigger" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

I normally like to write some detailed reviews but not on this book.

If you really want a fast read broken down into areas that let you know how the bad guys are screwing with your computer AND you buy this book.

You will learn what spyware, malware, viruses and trojans are and the best ways-products to use. No second guessing and in fact this book should be required reading for all American students.

On average I find about 35 instances of pests per PC I work on so do yourself a favor. If you want to learn more in detail, get this book.

And don't forget as Red Green says, "if the women don't find you handsome they should at least find you handy".

Mike