Is your computer suddenly running slower?  Does it appear that your internet connection has slowed down to a crawl?  Perhaps some of the following items are to blame…

Peer to Peer (P2P) File Sharing

Many users have installed software (such as Kazaa, Morpheus, or Spinner) that allows them to download music, movies, video clips, and other software for free.  What most of these users don’t realize, is that what they are doing may be illegal and against MCCCD policies.  Additionally, when Peer to Peer file sharing software is installed it usually begins sharing certain files on the user’s hard drive automatically – often without the user’s knowledge.  When this happens, people from the internet can copy these files from your machine.  This sharing can slow both your computer and your internet connection down.  When many computers on campus have P2P file sharing going, it can generate a lot of network traffic and slow down the entire campus’ internet connection.  Some files that users can download through P2P programs may contain viruses or other harmful software.  Finally, some users don’t realize that many of these P2P file sharing programs install Spyware and Adware without the user’s knowledge.

For more information, please see these websites:

http://www.dist.maricopa.edu/legal/dp/inbrief/compstandards.htm

http://www.guardian.maricopa.edu/policy/music/index.html

Adware and Spyware

What is Adware?  Basically, it is software that gets installed on a computer (with or without the user’s knowledge) that gathers info or feeds advertisements to that computer.  Typically Adware and Spyware only affect Windows PC’s – not Macs.  The theory behind Adware is not necessarily bad, but in practice it can get quite annoying.  Some software authors will release programs for free, but place Adware in them in order to generate revenue.  The Adware portion will bring up advertisements and pop-up ads on your screen – the software author gets paid for any ads you click on.  The theory is that once a user gets sufficiently annoyed with the ads, they can purchase an “ad-free” version of the software.  Certain Peer to Peer file sharing programs contain Adware – for example: Kazaa.  Users that have Kazaa installed will often report having pop-up ads appear on their screens even when they are not surfing the web. 

Another common way for Adware to get onto computers happens when a user is surfing the web.  Suddenly a window might pop up offering to install a FREE piece of software.  Examples of this would be: Gator, Weather Bug, or Date Manager.  Each of these pretends to be a useful piece of software; Gator pretends to be a password manager, Weather Bug provides you with current weather conditions in your area, and Date Manager is an appointment and calendar tool.    However, each of these software titles will install Adware and Spyware in addition to the “useful” application.  Even removing these pieces of software will often leave the Adware and Spyware installed.

What is Spyware?  Spyware is basically a type of Adware.  Some spyware is not generally harmful – it gathers information on a user’s surfing habits in order to build a “consumer profile” on the user.  This info is then sent over the internet to the spyware author and is then sold to companies who may start hitting that user’s computer with pop up ads that fit his or her profile.  Some spyware searches a user’s hard drive and gathers info on what types of software and files are on that computer.  Other types of spyware will attempt to steal passwords and other personal information from people.  In any case, a person who is not very careful while surfing the web can find their machine filling up with Adware and Spyware – and it does pile up quickly.  Spyware and Adware can really slow a computer down.

How does someone get rid of all of this unwanted Spyware and Adware?  There are specialized software programs available to do this task.  Some of these are free for personal use – which means you can use them at home on a computer that is not owned or used by a school or business.  That also means you can’t legally use them to clean Spyware off of the machine in your office here at MCC.  There are, however, anti-spyware programs that are free to everyone – including businesses and schools.  One such program is called Spybot-Search & Destroy and can be downloaded from http://www.safer-networking.org/.  Once you have cleaned the Spyware from your computer, you can help to keep it clean by using a program called SpywareBlaster.  SpywareBlaster (a free program) stops most spyware and adware from installing in the first place.  SpywareBlater can be downloaded from http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html.

In addition to protecting computers from viruses, Symantec Anti-Virus version 9 now handles the task of cleaning and protecting computers from Spyware and Adware.  The IT department has begun deploying this newer version.  Most MCC computers are protected by Symantec Antivirus.  If you are unsure whether or not your computer is protected, you can visit this website: http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/its/tss/v_protect.html for more information.  Please note that Symantec Antivirus is only available for school owned computers.  We are not yet licensed to install this on employee owned computers.

“Free” Wallpaper/Screensavers and Internet Radio

When responding to a user’s complaint of a slow computer, one of the first things the Technology Support technicians look for are desktop wallpaper/screensaver programs and Internet Radio software.  Most of the time, removal of these programs improves the computer’s performance drastically.

Some users like to have special screen savers or background images on their computer’s desktops.  Certain software, such as WebShots, provide this service.  However, many users report computer slowness and other problems after installing this (or similar) software.  Typically, these problems go away when this software is removed.  Some “free” desktop/screensaver programs also install adware and spyware on your machine without your knowledge.  Many of these programs keep a connection open over the internet to check for new pictures or screensavers automatically.  This can cause your connection to slow down or even be vulnerable to viruses or malicious hackers.

Many users enjoy listening to music as they work on their computers.  Some users will use internet radio programs that allow them to “stream” music or even regular radio stations right to their computers over the internet.  Some internet radio programs will use a lot of network “bandwidth,” though, and this can cause your internet connection to slow down.  There have actually been cases where a few internet radio users have brought MCC’s entire internet connection to a crawl.  Not all internet radio programs cause problems, but because of past encounters we recommend that anyone who is having problems remove internet radio from their computers to see if the problem continues.

Please see this article for more information on desktop wallpaper programs:

http://ccitinfo.web.arizona.edu/newsletters/march2002/problems_with_webshots.html

Summary

While “free” music and “free” desktop wallpaper may be fun and interesting, they can cause problems and legal issues for the community college district.  Many programs that you can get for “free” on the internet often come with a hidden price.  Sometimes this price is your privacy, other times the price may be that you have to view so many advertisements that your computer can do little else.

If your computer is experiencing slowness or obvious “pop up” ads, please contact Technology Support Services and have a service call logged to have your computer cleaned up.  Please keep in mind, though, Peer to Peer file sharing programs (such as Kazaa, Morpheus, and Spinner) will be removed by the TSS technicians.  We will also remove internet radio programs and other software that is known to cause problems.

You can reach Technology Support Services by calling 480-461-7217 or emailing tss@mcmail.maricopa.edu