GRC | OptOut -- Users FAQ

NOW SpinRite 6.1 – Fast and useful for spinning and solid state mass storage!

Now Spyware Doesn't Stand a Chance!

by Steve Gibson, Gibson Research Corporation

The OptOut User's FAQ

This site contains TWO completely different FAQ pages:

	This "OptOut User's FAQ" page contains the answers to questions about the operation, capabilities, and features of OptOut program itself.
	The other Privacy FAQ page contains answers to more general questions about Internet privacy, including spyware and malicious web sites. If that's what you're looking for, you can find it on the Privacy FAQ page.

PLEASE NOTE: This OptOut FAQ page currently relates to the existing freeware version of OptOut. After the commercial version is released this page will contain FAQ questions and answers pertaining to the significantly enhanced commercial release of OptOut.

You may click any of the red button targets to jump directly to a Q&A of your choosing, or scroll down and read through the entire page . . .


	What Spyware is OptOut able to detect and remove?
	When will OptOut be upgraded to handle additional spyware?
	OptOut found the Aureate spyware on my system. So, how can I determine which program brought it into my system?
	OptOut found Aureate spyware in my system, which makes me nervous. But if I remove it and change my mind later, is there any way to undo the removal?
	How do I know exactly what and where OptOut found spyware? And how can I tell what changes will make to my system?
	Can OptOut keep an eye on my system and alert me if any spyware shows up?
	How do I remove Optout from my system?

	What Spyware is OptOut able to detect and remove?
	The current, freeware, release of OptOut is only aware of the Aureate spyware. Although OptOut's "Spyware" tab contains greyed-out mentions of "Conducent/Timesink" and "Comet Cursor", OptOut does not currently detect or remove them. The forthcoming commercial release of OptOut will detect and remove all spyware known to us.

	When will OptOut be upgraded to handle additional spyware?
	The first freeware release of OptOut will not be upgraded, but the commercial release of OptOut will be continuously updated — at no charge to its users — to detect and manage all spyware known to us. Please see the OptOut Program page on this site for the whole story.

	OptOut found the Aureate spyware on my system. So, how can I determine which program brought it into my system?
	The original release of OptOut was not designed to determine the source of the system's spyware infection. The commercial release of OptOut will be able to perform an "ultra-deep" scan of the system to locate the files which use and depend upon the spyware.

OptOut found Aureate spyware in my system, which makes me nervous. But if I remove it and change my mind later, is there any way to undo the removal?

The original release of OptOut did not have an "undo" feature. The commercial release of OptOut will be able to "sequester" any spyware to render it completely ineffective while holding it in purgatory. You can therefore "undo" the spyware's removal if you later determine that it was necessary, or permanently discard it from the system. (Sort of like using the Windows trashcan from which things can be retrieved until the trashcan is emptied.)

	How do I know exactly what and where OptOut found spyware? And how can I tell what changes will make to my system?
	All releases of OptOut incorporate a detailed logging facility. This will be further enhanced in the commercial release, but it's entirely useable in the first, freeware, version. Just see the "Log" tab on the OptOut panel.

	Can OptOut keep an eye on my system and alert me if any spyware shows up?
	Yes, absolutely. The "Options" tab in the first release of OptOut has a check box option labelled "System Startup Quick Check". Enabling this option instructs OptOut to run briefly every time Windows starts up to make sure no spyware has "arrived" in the system since the last restart.

	How do I remove Optout from my system?
	Just delete the OptOut program and you're all done. The freeware release of OptOut does leave a tiny bit of debris in the system registry. So, if you want to delete that also, use the Registry Editor to delete the key named: "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Gibson Research\OptOut!" This will remove every last trace of OptOut.

To continue, please see: Privacy In The News

You are invited to browse these pages for additional information:

1	OptOut Homepage

5	Suspected Spyware

9	Privacy On The Net

2	Code Of Conduct

6	The OptOut Program

10	GRC Privacy Forums

3	Spyware Analyzer

7	OptOut User's Guide

11	Keeping Informed

4	Known Spyware

8	OptOut User's FAQ

12	GRC Privacy FAQ

Gibson Research Corporation is owned and operated by Steve Gibson. The contents
of this page are Copyright (c) 2024 Gibson Research Corporation. SpinRite, ShieldsUP,
NanoProbe, and any other indicated trademarks are registered trademarks of Gibson
Research Corporation, Laguna Hills, CA, USA. GRC's web and customer privacy policy.

Last Edit: Oct 06, 2003 at 14:29 (7,674.55 days ago)

Viewed 3 times per day