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ParetoLogic believes that knowledge is a powerful
tool in the fight against the invasion of your privacy. Our Resource section is
designed to give you a good understanding of what Spyware is, how it affects
your computer and how you can protect yourself from this ever-increasing threat.
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Adware
Displays unwanted or intrusive advertisements, or
facilitates the delivery of unwanted ads. The Adware label covers a broad range
of threats that can display ads in browser windows, open commercial Web sites,
and collect data for market research.
Browser Helper Object (BHO)
BHOs are not inherently dangerous. They are DLL
files that are executed by Internet Explorer. Add-in toolbars and sidebars are
BHOs, and many of them are completely benign, like the Google toolbar. However,
a great number of BHOs function as Spyware, tracking Web usage, recording
private data and even displaying ads.
Browser Hijacker
Changes Web browser settings like homepage, search page, error
page, and Favorites/Bookmarks. Browser hijackers are a common form of Spyware,
affecting millions of computers across North America alone. If your homepage
changes unexpectedly or your search results seem strange, you may have a browser
hijacker.
Dialer
Programs that access a user's phone line via a phone-connected
modem. Dialers can make unauthorized calls to pay-per-minute phone services,
costing the user hundreds of dollars in phone charges.
Downloader
Downloads and installs unsolicited files or programs, often
without notifying the user or requesting permission. Downloader programs are
especially dangerous because they allow any type of file, including worms and
viruses, to be downloaded onto the user's computer
Exploit
Exploits a security vulnerability in another program, often to
allow an intruder to remotely access the user's computer. A threat is often
classified as an exploit if it is known to exploit a vulnerability, but its
other effects are unknown.
Flooder
Sends massive amounts of data to a computer or network in an
attempt to overload and disable a network/Internet connection.
Keylogger
Records keystrokes into a log file and may transmit or e-mail
the file to an intruder. Keyloggers can record passwords and logins, allowing
intruders to access pass worded programs and web sites, including online banking
accounts. Most keyloggers log ALL keystrokes.
Malware
A generic term for software designed specifically to do
damage-"malicious software." Malware and viruses seem similar, but Malware is
typically not self-replicating or designed for PC-to-PC distribution.
Remote Administration Tool (RAT)
Allows a remote intruder to access a user's PC and perform
unwanted actions ranging from basic data collection to file erasure and
uploading, restart and shutdown, and even hard-drive formatting. Similar to
so-called "backdoor" applications, RATs give intruders easy access to a PC.
Spyware/Surveillance
Designed to collect data for a variety of purposes, true
Spyware (or surveillance) applications record personal or private information
and transmit it to a third party. Often this data is used for market research
and advertising, but more malicious Spyware programs attempt to steal passwords,
logins, banking details and credit card information.
Trackware/Data Miner
Tracks the user's Web usage, Web searches, or general computer
use. Cookies are one kind of data miner, and although most are harmless, some
attempt to collect private information.
Related
They're not Spyware, but the following are commonly associated
with many Spyware threats.
Trojan
Trojan horse programs take their name from the mythical wooden
horse that carried hidden Greek soldiers into Troy. These programs contain
hidden functionality, often posing as useful applications yet performing Spyware
or Adware functions, or allowing remote access.
Worm
Worms are self-replicating, fast-spreading Internet threats
that are more akin to viruses than Spyware. They differ from viruses in that
they can replace entire files on the host computer. Both viruses and worms
attempt to spread to as many computers as possible, using e-mail, the Internet,
and file-sharing networks as methods of distribution.
Lots of things—very few of them good. Perhaps the ten most
common symptoms/capabilities of Spyware are:
- Displaying unwanted or intrusive advertising
- Ads often appear in their own browser windows
- Many Adware ads are pornographic
- Ads may be “targeted” at the user based on which websites
he or she visits. (e.g. a user who visits movie websites will be shown
movie-related ads)
- Recording private data and transmitting it to a
third party
- Spyware can collect technical information about the
user’s computer.
- Some threats will attempt to steal passwords and
usernames, often for online banking.
- Spyware keyloggers can record every keystroke, while some
surveillance programs can capture images of the user’s display.
- Changing Web browser settings like homepage, search
page, error page and Favorites/Bookmarks
- Threats with this behaviour are called browser hijackers.
- If a user changes the affected settings, they will often
be reset to the hijacked settings on reboot.
- A changed search page may indicate that all Web searches
are being monitored.
- Allowing a remote intruder to access the user’s
computer and perform unwanted actions, some of which can cause serious damage
- Remote Administration Tools (RATs) are among the most
dangerous Spyware threats.
- Remote influence can allow an intruder to shut down
programs, modify and delete files, and steal any and all information stored
on the user’s computer.
- Downloading and installing unwanted files or
programs without notifying the user or requesting permission.
- Downloader components are often labeled as the
“auto-update” features of larger programs. If a Spyware program is allowed
to auto-update, it can download and install anything, including more Spyware
or viruses and worms.
- Download Accelerators can easily auto-download unwanted
files, as can specialized file-delivery programs.
- Downloaders are distinct from file-sharing programs like
Kazaa and Grokster, which allow users to download files from each other.
- Shut down a program/process, or even disable or
shut down a PC
- Plenty of Spyware is poorly written and prone to
crashing, often locking up the user’s machine.
- Some Spyware intentionally disables security software
like firewalls and anti-virus programs.
- Remote Administration Tools (RATs) often allow intruders
to shut down or restart the user’s computer.
- Uses a modem-connected phone-line to call
pay-per-minute phone services or phone-based payment lines
- Programs called dialers can use a phone connected to the
user’s computer to call adult pay-per-minute phone services
- Certain pornographic websites allow patrons to pay their
monthly fee by using a dialer program
- Dialers can be automatically installed by certain
websites using ActiveX scripts
- Exploits a security vulnerability in another
program
- Many legitimate applications have loopholes or flaws in
their code that hackers exploit for a variety of reasons.
- Security exploits are often used to access a user’s
computer and gain remote influence.
- Some hackers attack security vulnerabilities purely for
recognition or to point out flaws in a respected application.
- Floods an Internet connection or network
- Flooder programs send massive amounts of data to a
computer or network in an attempt to overload and disable the connection.
- Network floods can cost businesses thousands or even
millions in lost productivity.
- Denial of Service (DoS) attacks are group attacks that
employ multiple computers in an attempt to shutdown a website or network.
- Distributes a Spyware threat, virus, worm, or
Trojan
- Some Spyware applications attempt to transmit threats
over file-sharing networks.
- Some threats can collect e-mail addresses stored on a
user’s computer and mass e-mail dangerous files.
- Worms and viruses are more likely to distribute threats.
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