From: BillK (bill@wkidston.freeserve.co.uk)
Date: Sat Feb 01 2003 - 10:49:24 MST
Xupiter, like Gator, is spyware that can be installed on your computer
without your knowledge if your Internet security settings are set too
low. Xupiter is an Active-X browser plug-in that gets installed
automatically on your computer when you visit certain web sites or click
on an advertising link. Applications that install in this manner are
also referred to as "drive-by downloads." A pop-up ad can also install
Xupiter on your computer.
Solutions:
1) As Max suggested, use Mozilla for browsing. Or any other non-MS
browser that does not support Active-X controls.
Get it free from:-
http://www.mozilla.org/
2) If you -must- use Internet Explorer, install SpywareBlaster.
SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from
ever being installed.
How? By setting a "kill bit" for the CLSIDs of spyware ActiveX controls,
it prevents the installation of any of them from a webpage. You can run
Internet Explorer with Active-X enabled, but you will never even get a
"Yes/No" box popped up, asking you to install a spyware Active-X control
(Internet Explorer will never download or run it!). All other Active-X
controls or plug-ins will work fine.
Get it free from:-
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/spywareblaster.html
3)Install SpyBot Search and Destroy.
SpyBot-S&D searches your hard drive for so-called spy- or adbots; that
is, little modules that are responsible for the ads many programs
display. Many of these modules also transmit information, including your
surfing behavior on the Internet.
If SpyBot-S&D finds such modules, it can remove them.
Get it free from:-
http://security.kolla.de/index.php?lang=en&page=about
Finally, bookmark http://www.spywareinfo.com/ so you can read all about
the nasty things trying to get at your computer while you are browsing.
Be careful out there!
BillK
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