Anti Spyware
Spyware & What It Is ? What it Does ? & The Definitions
Definitions:
1.) Software designed to monitor a person’s computer activity & transmits the information over the internet.
2.) Another term used for this is, “data miner”.
3.) When used incorrectly, the term may refer to software which modifies browser & or security settings, This is installed without your authorisation or proper notification also displaying advertising without actually monitoring the user.
Origin:
The term “spyware”, as applied to advertisement-serving software, is believed to have originated by Steve Gibson of GRC.com
Description:
Advertising spyware monitors the surfing & searching activity of the persons using the pc or laptop on which it is installed. The information is then fed over the internet,to the company responsible for developing the software. The information is then stored in a database, for marketing purposes. Information from this database is then sold to third parties. The software will display advertisements thought to be relevant to the interests of the persons using the infected computer.
Spyware can easely be installed in a numerous different ways. Most common methods are bundling (sometimes called Foistware). When the spyware company pays for a software publisher to include the spyware in their products. Another common method is to manipulate security flaws in popular web browsers for installing the software.
Typically, a specific tracking number is assigned to each installation of the spyware. This specific tracking number, as well as data about how the now corrupt computer is being utilised, this is passed on to the company responsible for creating the spyware. This lets the company maintain a database on the behaviour of the users whose computers are infected by their spyware.
Advertisements may be displayed which are related closely to the content or topics about which the users are reading or for which they are searching. These advertisements most commonly appear as pop-up windows or banner ads that are embedded into an unrelated function or programme.
For the term “advertising spyware” to apply properly, a piece of software must pass along information about the behaviour or activities of the users of the infected computer without them even knowing about it. It is not necessary for the software to display advertisements in order to be labeled as “spyware” or “advertising spyware”. The fact that the information is collected for marketing purposes distinguishes it from “surveillance spyware”.
Example:
Blackstone Transponder was a program which monitored the addresses of web sites visited and information entered into web site forms. The information is believed to have been sold to various other parties. The software would pop up advertising windows tailored to the computer user(s).
Subtype: Surveillance Spyware
Definition:
Software or Hardware device designed to keep track a person’s activities, typically without that person’s knowing of it.
Origin:unknown
Description:
Software spyware can record keystrokes, log electronic chat conversations and log the contents of emails. Some spyware will take periodic screenshots of what is being displayed on the pc monitor. Software spyware can be used to monitor communications transferred to and from the computer, to collect passwords and track other computer activities.
A small hardware device can be attached between the computer and the keyboard to record which buttons (keystrokes)are being pushed on the computer. This is an effective way of stealing passwords and can not be traced by software antispyware products. Other examples of hardware spyware include small cameras and microphones that are hard to spot or radio transmitters that can be attached to vehicles or clothing.
Example:
software spyware which track your email, chat sessions, keystrokes, programs being run, file sharing activity and user logon and logoff. The logs of these activities can be sent by email to any address specified by the person who installs the software. They make credible attempts to hide its activity from any person using the computer, although many antispyware programs can detect this.
Keycatcher is a small hardware device which plugs into the port used by a computer’s keyboard. The keyboard then is plugged into the Keycatcher device. All buttons pressed on the keyboard are recorded into flash memory and can be retrieved at a later time. Keycatcher cannot be detected by antispyware programs but can be spotted very easily if someone looks at the back of the computer.
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