Does your computer make you SCREAM?

Local technology experts call spyware a ‘mass annoyance’

April 14, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

How often do you log onto the Internet? If you’re like most Americans, you probably surf the Web every day, spending maybe an hour or two at home — or even at work — looking up the latest news on your favorite celebrity, checking your e-mail for juicy gossip, paying your credit card bills or finding a perfect recipe for dinner.
With millions of Web sites available with a few taps of your fingers, there seems to be no limit to what you can do while online. But the Internet’s appeal and popularity among the young and old has also made it — and its users — the target of certain types of malicious programs that can invade computers and make Web surfers vulnerable to everything from browser hijacks to identity theft.
At the very least, the programs can cause even the most basic computer functions to slow to a frustrating crawl.
The programs, called adware and spyware, are classified as any programs that keep track of a user’s browsing history — such as which Web sites you visit or where you spend money — and relay that information back to another party.
“Technically, it spies on your system,” said John Green, a bench technician with SimplePC in Greenwood.
Adware, Green said, can be something such as a “cookie” that keeps track of advertisements users have seen and allows some ads to be stored on their computer. When users see pop-up ads or banners on Web sites, the adware keeps track of which ads the users have seen so the same pop-up or banner isn’t displayed repeatedly.
“Most (programs) aren’t too bad, but some can be detrimental,” Green said.
Spyware tends to be more malicious than adware and can somewhat take control a user’s computer and Internet browsers, local information technology experts said.
Adware and spyware are “tending to be almost one and the same” today, according to Lonny Daniels, a technician with Priority Information Technologies in Greenwood.
“Adware used to be just pop-ups that try to sell (the user a product),” Daniels said. “That was just annoying, but now they try to get information or track your whereabouts on the Web.”
The programs can be as simple and harmless as collecting information about browsing habits so that marketing companies can generate specialized advertisements to appear on particular computers, Green said.
“The more dangerous ones can actually key log (track which keys are pressed) to steal passwords or delete files because the program wants to be malicious,” Green said. “The more dangerous ones will send information back to their creator. Some will actually let another user have remote access to the machine. Someone can take over the computer and use it to spread more (malware).”
The scary part about malware, experts said, is that most users don’t even know they have downloaded the programs.
“It’s virtually impossible to avoid getting something (today), unless you only go to government, news or medical sites,” Daniels said.
Many malware programs — especially adware — are sneaked in with the fine print of other free downloads and shareware programs that require the user to accept a licensing agreement. When the user agrees to download the wanted program, the adware comes right along.
“In the small print, it says something about the program’s download,” Green said. “For the most part, the damaging ones are downloaded without any knowledge or acceptance by the user ... A lot of it is piggybacked with other programs and are pre-bundled in advance — that’s why they are free.”
Programs such as toolbars, screensavers, specialized cursors and games can also be targets of malware.
“If it’s free on the Internet, it’s probably not free,” Daniels said, adding that “questionable” Web sites — such as those with adult content — and e-mails with attachments but no subjects can also be problematic. Some users’ browsers automatically allow Web sites to install applications without the user’s knowledge, though the user can change his browser properties to prevent this.
Some malware programs are becoming more creative, displaying alarming pop-up ads that tell the user his computer is infected with spyware or viruses, and that he must act immediately to fix the problem. But if the pop-up is clicked, the user might actually be installing spyware onto his machine.
“They’ll tell you your system is infected, but that probably isn’t real. (The programmers) have gotten very creative and good at making (the malware programs) look like legitimate error messages,” said Adam Creswell, a technician with Genesis Computer Systems in Greenwood. “If you click OK ... a programming language launches a small bit of code that copies itself to your hard drive. It’s always there, but you might not see it or know it’s there.”
Once the malware is in the computer, it can create a number of problems, such as excessive pop-up advertisements that can bog the computer’s system and slow its operation.
“And we’re talking really slow,” Daniels said, adding that, sometimes, wiping the hard drive clean and re-installing vital software can be the only option to correct the damage. “When you tell (the user) what is going on, they have no idea ... They’ve gotten so used to seeing pop-ups that they think it is normal.”
Other symptoms can include extra toolbars in browser windows and pop-up ads that appear even when the user isn’t surfing the Web.
Some of the more corruptive programs can actually “hijack” a user’s browser, prohibiting them from visiting certain Web sites or rerouting their browsers to sites other than those they have requested, experts said.
“If your homepage suddenly changes without you doing it, that is a pretty good indicator that you have spyware,” said Nick Atkins, lead technician with Lander University’s ITS department.
And the problem is one technicians see on a daily basis, as Internet users can be infected with spyware or adware each time they log onto the Web.
“A vast majority of the computers that we get in to repair are the result of viruses, spyware or adware,” Creswell said, adding that his company has cleared hundreds of adware and spyware programs from just one computer.
Besides being careful about what Web sites they go to or what programs they download, there are also anti-spyware and adware programs available to help users ease the assault on their machines. Ad-Aware and Spybot Search and Destroy are two popular programs that are effective, experts said, and are available in free versions.
But keeping browser security patches and anti-spyware programs up to date is extremely important, Green said, because hundreds of spyware programs and viruses are introduced each month.
Daniels recommended that users update those programs every two days and perform scans of their system at least once a week — even more if the user is on the Internet a substantial amount of time.
Though some adware programs are legitimate software that companies use to generate revenue and better target a particular audience, most users think the programs are deceptive and unfair, experts said. And because many malware programs originate outside of the United States, national laws have little effect on preventing the issue, they added. “It is deceptive. Ninety-nine percent of the people, if they knew the trouble they were about to cause their computer, they wouldn’t go through with it,” Creswell said.
Atkins said many of the people whose computers are infected with malware find it to be aggravating.
“It’s really a mass annoyance,” he said, “and more or less an invasion of privacy. People are not agreeing, per se, to have their information sent out.”
Green agreed with that sentiment, saying that even non-malicious programs might push the boundaries of ethics for some users.
“The general consensus is that it is an invasion of privacy,” Green said. “People want the anonymity of browsing the Internet without their information being collected.
“Americans are not into Big Brother watching, whether it is legitimate or not.”
On the Internet: http://www.lavasoft.com/

Chiles to transfer to Lander

Ex-GHS hoops star given unlimited release by Anderson University

April 14, 2006

By MICHAEL STONE
Index-Journal sports editor

LaShonda Chiles is coming home.
The Anderson University women’s basketball star was informed by the school today she would be released from her scholarship Tuesday, allowing her to transfer to Lander University for her senior season.
“I’m just happy it’s over with,” the Greenwood High School graduate said.
“I can play in my hometown in front of my folks.”
Chiles had tried to transfer to Lander last May, when then-Anderson coach Kevin Pederson became the coach of the Lady Bearcats.
But Anderson wouldn’t release Chiles from her scholarship because she had waited too long after the season before requesting her release. NCAA rules state athletes without release must sit out one season before playing for their new schools, and Chiles chose to return to Anderson and play for new coach Jeff Dow instead of transferring to Lander and sitting out a season.
After Chiles’ 2005-06 season ended March 11 when the Lady Trojans lost to Glendale in the East Regional semifinals, she again requested her release.
The school granted her release, but with the stipulation that Chiles couldn’t transfer to any school that “employs an individual who coached you while you were attending Anderson University.”
Chiles appealed the release terms to the school’s athletic oversight committee and hired an attorney, Easley’s Thomas B. Smith, to represent her.
The oversight committee canceled a scheduled Wednesday meeting and instead the university announced it would be granting Chiles an “unlimited release” in a statement Thursday.
“The university made the decision in the best interest of the women’s basketball program and the student athletes who work hard to represent the university with integrity and sportsmanship,” the statement read. “Granting this transfer will give our athletes a well-deserved chance to move ahead with their off-season work without the distraction of this issue.”
It also allows Chiles to rejoin Pederson and Stephanie Pond, another Lady Trojans transfer who sat out last season when Anderson would not give her a release.
Chiles said she isn’t ungrateful to Anderson or Dow, and doesn’t have any hard feelings toward the school.
“That was a big part of my life and I accomplished a lot there,” she said. “I hope I didn’t make anyone mad or that anyone holds a grudge against me.
“I think the main part is you want to be happy. I want to play in front of my home town with the coach that recruited me, believed in me when no one else did.”
Lander University can’t comment on Chiles until the school receives the letter from Anderson releasing her, said Bob Stoner, Lander’s assistant athletic director for media relations.
Chiles, a 5-foot-2 guard, has had an incredible career for the Lady Trojans and is on track to become the all-time leading scorer in Division II basketball.
In three seasons at Anderson, Chiles — starting 99 games — helped the Lady Trojans to an 85-15 record, three Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference tournament titles, two CVAC regular season titles, and three trips to the NCAA Tournament.
She was a second-team All-American as a sophomore and a three-team All-American last season. She’s scored 2,162 points and scored in double figures in 77 straight games. She also has 453 assists and 233 steals in her career.
The Lady Bearcats struggled in Pederson’s first season with the team. Because of transfers and injuries, for much of the season the team had only seven healthy players and finished 5-23 overall, 1-19 in the Peach Belt Conference.
But with Ponds — a 6-2 center who averaged 15.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore at Anderson — added to a roster that should return eight players, Chiles is looking forward to putting on a Bearcat uniform.
“I did try to keep up with them last year,” the exercise science major said. “They struggled trying to get to know each other and a new coach, but they improved.
“Stephanie is a great player, really good in the post. I’m really looking forward to playing with her.”

Opinion

S. C. should strengthen law on gas price gouging

April 14, 2006

South Carolina’s Attorney General Henry McMaster recently announced that several upstate gasoline retailers donated $500 each to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief. It was part of a settlement resulting from an investigation into gasoline price gouging in the wake of that Gulf Coast hurricane last year. None, however, admitted any wrongdoing.
That’s gratifying for many in the Palmetto State, including some motorists in the Greenwood area and the Lakelands.
While the price of gasoline spiraled upward and the availability of the fuel grew worse day by day, many motorists complained.

THEY VOICED SUSPICIONS, too, that they believed price gouging was indeed a factor.
That, as might be expected, was one of the milder complaints that were heard during that time. Whether their suspicions are justified doesn’t matter. They are in the unique position of saying “I told you so!”
The majority of retail and wholesale dealers kept the faith with their customers, and they should be commended for their efforts. There should be a law, though, to cover such situations. More hurricanes and other natural calamities are sure to come in the future and the same kind of problems are liable to occur again.
State lawmakers, then, ought to take action to help discourage price gouging.

MCMASTER PROPOSED A law last year and once again is urging the Legislature to approve it. It would give law enforcement agencies the authority to investigate and prosecute criminal price gouging. Current law allows only law enforcement agencies to act during a state of emergency declared by the governor.
Did many complain about prices after the hurricanes? McMaster’s office received more than 1,500 complaints. There likely were more who did not bother to register their displeasure ..... but simply griped out loud.
Be all that as it may, McMaster’s proposal to change the law on price gouging should be heeded by lawmakers. Too many South Carolinians are hit too hard by natural price increases. They don’t need gouging to add to their worries.

Obituaries

Ruth C. Aiken

ABBEVILLE — Ruth C. Aiken, 71, of 807 Kay Road, widow of John Robert Aiken, died Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center, Greenwood.
Born in Abbeville County, she was a daughter of the late James and Carrie Martin Chapman. She was a member of Flat Rock AME Church and a homemaker.
Survivors include a son, John Oliver Aiken of the home; two sisters, Mozella C. Bobo of Abbeville and Mary Bell Burton of Chicago; a brother, Lewis Chapman of Abbeville; two grandchildren.
The family is at the home of a niece Kathy Chapman, 308 Gray Rock Estate.
Services will be announced by Brown and Walker Funeral Home.

Mary Gary Boozer

GREENVILLE — Mary Gary Boozer, of 124 Pleasant Ridge Ave., died Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at Greenville Memorial Hospital. Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of Hotsel Boozer and the late Mary Lou Quarles Boozer.
Survivors include her father of Abbeville; a daughter, E. Nicole Gary of Greenville; three sisters, Mae Lee, Margaret and Edith Boozer, all of Greenville; six brothers, Joe and George Boozer, both of Greenville, Roosevelt, James Henry and the Rev. Anthony Boozer, all of Abbeville and Fred Boozer of Seville, Tenn.; two grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Saturday at New Beginnings United Methodist Church. Burial is in Greenville Memorial Gardens.
The family is at the home.
Watkins, Garrett & Woods Mortuary is in charge.

Dorothy Ann Canovali

DONALDS — Dorothy Ann Canovali, 76, of 547 Bowie Rd., wife of Paul R. Canovali, Sr. died Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center. She was born in Pittsburg, PA to the late Stephen and Justine Bochochen Kushner. Mrs. Canovali was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother.
She is survived by her husband of the home, three daughters, Sandra L. Schick of Donalds, SC., Patricia Sanflippo of Paris, PA., and Suzanne Bellotti of Harrisburg, PA, one son, Paul R. Canovali, Jr., of Richmond, VA., a brother, George Kushner of Pittsburg, PA, a sister, Helen Kroft of Wexford, PA, six grandchildren, Daniel P. Bellotti, Christopher M. Bellotti, Gabriel F. Bellotti, Justin Canovali, Mikayla Canovali, and Jenna Canovali.
Private Funeral Services will be held in the Harris Funeral Home Chapel.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Parish Life Center Fund, 915 Mathis Rd. Greenwood, SC 29649.
Online condolences may be sent to the Canovali family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com
HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, of Abbeville, is assisting the Canovali family.
PAID OBITUARY

Bessie Clem

GREENWOOD — Bessie James Clem, 90, resident of 1110 Marshall Road, widow of Freddie Lee Clem, died April 12, 2006 at Wesley Commons.
Born in Pickens County, October 17, 1915, she was a daughter of the late Clarence E. and Lula Pace James. She was retired from Greenwood Mills, Chalmers Plant, and was a long time employee of Abney Mills, Grendel Plant.
Mrs. Clem was a member of Abney Memorial Baptist Church, the T.E.L. Sunday School Class and the Panola Community Club Surviving are a daughter-in-law, Nancy Clem of Greenwood; two grandchildren, Pace Clem of Rock Hill and Valerie Bassett and husband Kevin of Summerville; a great-granddaughter, Marley Ann Bassett of Summerville.
Mrs. Clem was predeceased by a son, Carroll J. Clem on January 4, 2006.
Funeral services will be conducted 4:00 PM Saturday at Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ted Williams officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Larry Massey, Joe Hawkins along with Men of Abney Memorial Baptist Church.
The family is at the home of her daughter-in-law, 108 Chestnut Ridge in Rock Creek and will receive friends at the funeral home from 2:30 to 4:00 Saturday afternoon.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Abney Memorial Baptist Church, 208 Panola Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Clem family.
PAID OBITUARY

Dianne Devlin

Services for Dianne Devlin, of 231 Woodrow Ave., are 1 p.m. Saturday at Milway Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Lonnie Jones. The body will be placed in the church at 12. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are Steve Ponell, Donnie Ashley, Levisco Harrison, Clifton Crawford, Kelsey Saxon, Calvett Quarles and Woodrow Thomas.
Flower bearers are Latonya Louden, Charlene Ponell, Mia Sibert, Ojetter Williams, Davita Staff, Lizzie Wideman and Rosetta Williams.
The family is at the home and at the home of a sister, Towanda Chiles, The Garden at the Parkway, 1508 Parkway, Apt. 6-A.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Virginia Rose Feda

IRMO — Private service for Virginia Rose Feda, 80, will be held in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Charlotte Chapter, Cooper Long’s Team, 9140 Arrow Point Blvd., Suite 380, Charlotte, N.C. 28273. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is in charge.
Mrs. Feda, wife of the late James J. Feda, Sr., died Wednesday, April 12, 2006. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Rose Kovarik Kulisek. She was a member of Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church.
Surviving are her sons, James J. Feda, Jr. and his wife, Michelin of Irmo, and Gary S. Feda and his wife, Mercini of Hopkins; daughters, Patricia A. Pigg and her husband, Charles of Greenwood, Catherine F. Long and her husband, Karl, III, of Charlotte, and Karen M. Yarborough and her husband, Stephen of Irmo; grandchildren, Joseph, Justin, and Taylor Feda, Brittan Feda, Alyssia Feda, Erin McManus, Matthew and Michael Pigg, Sims, Turner, and Cooper Long, Zachary and Morgan Yarborough; and a great-grandson, Whitaker McManus.
PAID OBITUARY

Lillie Beatrice Smith Hentz

GREENWOOD — Lillie Beatrice Smith Hentz, 70, of 2619 Montague Avenue, widow of Alonzo “Wimpy” Hentz, passed away Thursday, April 13, 2006.
Born in Bradley, she was a daughter of the late Blanton Smith and Elizabeth Perrin Smith. She was a member of Pine Grove A.M.E. Church where she served as a stewardess, and a member of the Missionary Society. She worked as a dietitian at Connie Maxwell Children’s Home until her retirement.
She is survived by five sons, Stevie Hentz of Simpsonville, Alonzo Hentz, Jr. of Newport News, Va., Chief Master Sgt. Fitzgerald Hentz of Panama City, Florida, Malcolm R. Hentz of Greenwood, and Marcus R. Hentz of Greenville; two daughters, Joyce H. Carroll of the home and Stephanie H. Burton of Greenwood; two brothers, Blanton Smith, Jr. and Willie James Smith, both of Greenwood; six sisters, Zarelda S. Terry, Lucy Smith Tolbert, Eleanor S. Jennings, Vickie S. White, Betty S. Wideman, and Patricia Smith Tolbert, all of Greenwood; 20 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by one son, Barry Hentz.
The family is at the home, 2619 Montague Avenue.
Funeral arrangements will be announced later by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.
PAID OBITUARY

Flossie A. Jenkins

LOVEVILLE, Md. — Flossie A. Jenkins, 81, widow of David Vernon Jenkins, died Thursday, April 13, 2006 at Bayside Care Center.
Services will be announced by Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals, S.C.

Jeanette Maxie

GREENWOOD — Eugenia Jeanette Elliott Maxie, 90, resident of Magnolia Manor, former resident of 2517 Montague Ave. Ext., widow of Joe F. Maxie, died April 13, 2006 at Hospice House of Greenwood.
Born August 22, 1915 in Oconee County, she was a daughter of the late Samuel Cherry and Annie Jeanette Davis Elliott. She was retired from Belk’s Department Store as department head in lingerie.
Mrs. Maxie was a member of Lowell Street United Methodist Church and the Cheerful Workers Sunday School Class along with the Dorcus Circle and the Eight Notes Singing Group, all of the church. She was also a member of the church choir. Surviving are two sons, Wayne and wife Margaret Maxie and Lamar and wife Sally Maxie, both of Greenwood; two grandsons, John Christopher and wife Julie Maxie and Scott Elliott Maxie; and one granddaughter, Gina Wood Maxie.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dick Waldrep and Rev. John Thomas Hayes officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Richard Elliott, Derrell Maxie, Bennie Maxie, Eddie Maxie, Frank Wideman and Thomas Mitchell. Honorary escort will be members of the Cheerful Workers Sunday School Class.
The family is at their respective homes and will receive friends at Blyth Funeral Home from 1 to 2 Saturday immediately before the service.
Memorials may be made to Lowell Street United Methodist Church, 300 Lowell Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646 or to Hospice House of Greenwood, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646 or to a charity of one’s choice.
To make online condolences or for additional information visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the Maxie family.
PAID OBITUARY

Dean New

ABBEVILLE — Harold “Dean” New, 71, resident of 447 New Rd. husband of Peggy Canfield New died Thursday April 13, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood, SC.
Born in Abbeville Co. SC he was a son of the late Albert and Irene Finley New.
He was a retired conductor with the Seaboard Railroad and was an active member of Lebanon Presbyterian Church.
Survivors are: his beloved wife of over 50 years Peggy Canfield New of the home, 1 daughter Robin N. Crocker and her husband Tony of Abbeville, SC, 3 grandsons Jeoffrey Crocker and his wife Christy of Abbeville, SC, Bryan Crocker and his wife Shannon of Greenwood, SC and Jeromy Crocker of Greenwood, SC, 4 great-grandchildren Morgan, Christian, Ryan and Madison Crocker, 2 brothers Tommy and Sanford New both of Abbeville, SC and a sister Doris New of Abbeville, SC.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday April 15, 2006 at 3:00 PM in The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Arnold Johnson officiating. The burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2:30 PM Saturday afternoon prior to services. The family is at the home 447 New Rd. Abbeville, SC.
Memorials may be made to A Place for Us, PO Box 797 Greenwood, SC 29648 C/O Mrs. Tammie Price or to Lebanon Presbyterian Church 698 Mt. Carmel Rd. Abbeville, SC 29620.
THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
PAID OBITUARY

Leonard W.Scott, Jr.

CHARLESTON — Leonard W. Scott, Jr., 79, died Thursday, April 13, 2006 at the Hospice House in Greenwood.
He was the son of the late Lucille and Leonard Scott, Sr. He was a member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church of Charleston, retired following 40 years of service from Westvaco and was a veteran of World War II.
Surviving is his wife of 57 years, Virginia Gerken Scott; two daughters and their spouses, Jeanne and Bill Oglesby of Columbia and Nancy and David Bell of Donalds; three grandsons, Billy Oglesby of Folly Beach, Jay Brogdon of Charleston and Donald Bell of Donalds; two granddaughters, Kimberly Parker of Rock Hill and Lauren Russell of Donalds; a great grandson, Austin Bell of Donalds; a sister and her husband, Betty and Harold Cooper of Mt. Pleasant; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in Bethany Cemetery, Meeting Street, Charleston.
The family will receive friends at J. Henry Stuhr, Calhoun Street, Charleston on Friday from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 405 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403 or to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY