Contents
What is Spyware?
Spyware is a broad category of malicious
software designed to spy on or to take control of
an infected computer. Spyware differs from viruses
or worms, spyware doesn't
self replicate. Like many of today's viruses, and worms,
spyware are designed to exploit vulnerable computers for
commercial gain. Typical tactics for spyware is delivering
unsolicited pop-up advertisements, stealing personal
information, monitoring browsing habits of users for marketing
purposes, and routing HTTP requests to advertising
sites.
According to an October 2004 study by America Online,
and the National Cyber Security Alliance, 80% of the surveyed
users' computers had some form of spyware in it. Many
of those users did not even know that they had spyware
programs installed in their computers.
What is Adware?
Adware frequently refers to any program which
displays advertisements, weather or not it does so with
the user's permission. Sometimes spyware is categorized
as adware, and vise versa, since the term 'spyware' is
so broad, and abstract.
Methods of Propagation
Spyware and adware do not spread directly from one computer
to the next, like a virus or a worm, instead they usually
try to trick the user into installing itself onto their
computer, much like a Trojan
horse. Spyware and adware are usually embedded within
other downloadable software such as freeware.
Often spyware and adware authors pay freeware programmers
to embed their spyware and/or adware into their product.
Another way of distributing spyware and adware involves
tricking users with pop-up advertisements; for example:
a web site might display a pop-up advertisements that's
designed to look like a standard Windows dialog box
containing a message - "Would you like to check
for more Internet Explorer updates?", "Yes or
No". No matter which option the user presses, the
spyware or adware will go ahead and silently install itself
into the system.
Some spyware and adware authors also try distributing
their malicious software by exploiting security holes
in vulnerable Internet Explorer versions.
Protection
The best way to get help protect your
computer against spyware and adware is to install an anti-spyware
software. Also installing a firewall will help
plug in security vulnerabilities found on Internet Explorer.
Self awareness also plays a key factor when defending
your computer; it is not wise to go browsing on random
web sites and downloading files off of it. You should
instead visit web sites you know and trust.
