This is a quick note.
I just recovered from one of the newest kinds of computer attacks --
it's called "Bundleware." This new nuisance attaches itself to your
system when you visit certain websites (see list
below), or when you install certain Internet-based software packages
(see list below). Unlike most viruses, it
is not transmitted via e-mail and does not replicate itself.
However, it will cripple your computer.
It's part of a class
of invaders known as "spyware." The underlying intent of spyware is
to gather information about you, about your Internet browsing,
pondering and buying habits and to ship this information off to
interested parties who will design advertising schemes to further
entice you.
Spyware consists of
little programs that run on your computer, monitoring your
activities and then transmit information back to the "mothership."
These programs invade your computer as you browse the Web. It's
estimated that some 15 percent of free Internet sites now have some
kind of spyware that they load you down with.
Bundleware, also
known as VX2.BetterInternet, is spyware on steroids. It not only
contains spyware, but it also contains back doors through which
hackers can invade your computer, pop-up ads and little schemes to
add "features" to your computing and browsing experience.
In my wrestling match
with Bundleware, my browser was hijacked every time I tried to open
it and go anywhere on the Web, including some sites that were not
healthy. I had pop-up ads jumping out at me continuously. It added
new buttons to my browser toolbar. It rearranged my icons. It ate my
documents (it ate this article and I had to start over again from
scratch). While I was typing, it would cause my system to pause
continuously, and when it paused my keystrokes were eaten. Whenever
I looked back at the screen, I noticed that I had typed gibberish.
And the most annoying thing was that my usually powerful computer
system had been greatly reduced in power and speed because these
little spyware programs that were doing such a good job of annoying
me needed my computer's computing power to fuel their little devious
plots.
Removing Bundleware
is a long and difficult process. Your antivirus program will do
nothing for you here. The initial invasion happens without bringing
attention to itself, and so it is deeply entrenched before you even
know it. Typical tools to remove typical spyware, such as the
wonderful and amazing Ad-Aware, merely remove parts of Bundleware
for a second or so. Bundleware seems to notice that pieces are
missing and puts them back in (the monster seems to grow back any
limbs that you cut off).
The telltale sign
that you have been invaded by Bundleware is the presence of a file
named inetadpt.dll in your \windows\system32 directory. You can find
it by running a search and filling in that name. If you find that
file, you have been invaded and probably need professional
computer help to get rid of this nuisance.
Bundleware resides in
the winsock area of Windows, the area that directs Internet
communications. It installs applications off the Web that run on
boot. It insidiously installs redirection routes in your hosts file.
And it dumps large amounts of spyware programs on your hard drive.
Dealing with any of these problems individually without dealing with
the residual infection in winsock will result in reinfection with
Bundleware.
If you want to try to
deal with this problem on your own, be prepared to do some searching
on the Internet for sources of information on Bundleware. The
important keywords to search on are "Bundleware" and
"VX2.BetterInternet." The best and most reliable information I found
on Bundleware was on
www.computercops.biz. The important tools you will find
mentioned may include LSPFIX.EXE, Hijackthis.EXE and Ad-Aware.
Before proceeding, know that this takes a lot of expertise and
know-how to correctly remove. You have been warned: Proceed at your
own risk!
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