Spyware and malware information
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Spyware: Just like the name, the term spyware comes from two words, that is spy and software. Hence, spyware is any computer program that spies and track users computing behavior, including private data, without users consent. Adware: Adware stands for any computer program that displays ads. There are 2 type, the good type and the bad type. The good type of adware is any computer software that displays ads in exchange for registration fee. |
As long as the software doesn't spy users behavior, then it is considered as good adware.
For example, Eudora client e-mail is a shareware program. After certain period, users can choose whether to register and remove the ads or keep the free version with ads supported. However, Eudora don't track or spy users activity. The bad type is when the adware spies users computing activity or even interfere with other application, in order to force users to visit certain website.
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Keylogger: Keylogger stands for keystroke logging. There are two type of keylogger, hardware and software. Just like the name, keylogger will detect users keystroke. On one side, keystroke logging is created fro a good purpose. In an organization, keylogger can help monitoring workers activity, in order to improve work quality. FBI sometimes uses keylogger for investigation purposes. |
However, often, keylogger is used by hackers and crackers to detect victims keystroke, in order to crack their username, password, credit card numbers etc.
Hijacker: Just like it sounds, hijacker is another type of spyware that takes over and changes your system behavior. Often, hijacker changes Internet Explorer browser, such as homepage or adding certain bookmark. Others might change your startup and desktop.
Trojan Horse: In the context of computer software, a Trojan horse is a program that installs malicious software while under the guise of doing something else. Though not limited in their payload, Trojan horses are more notorious for installing backdoor programs which allow unauthorized non permissible remote access to the victim's machine by unwanted parties - normally with malicious intentions. Unlike a computer virus, a Trojan horse does not propagate by inserting its code into other computer files. The term is derived from the classical myth of the Trojan Horse. Like the mythical Trojan Horse, the malicious code is hidden in a computer program or other computer file which may appear to be useful, interesting, or at the very least harmless to an unsuspecting user. When this computer program or file is executed by the unsuspecting user, the malicious code is also executed resulting in the set up or installation of the malicious Trojan horse program.
Worm: A computer worm is a self-replicating computer program. It uses a network to send copies of itself to other nodes (computer terminals on the network) and it may do so without any user intervention. Unlike a virus, it does not need to attach itself to an existing program. Worms always harm the network (if only by consuming bandwidth), whereas viruses always infect or corrupt files on a targeted computer.
Cookies: HTTP cookies, usually called cookies are small files created by server to web browser and then sent back by the browser, unchanged, each time the browser access that same website. It is used for authenticating, tracking, and maintaining specific information about users, such as preferences, contents of shopping carts, username. While affiliate tracking cookie is another type that can be used to track any customers lead by an affiliate. This one is useful in affiliate marketing and e-commerce. Because of this, not all cookies are bad.
However, lately, cookies has raised privacy concern, since they can be used to track surfing behavior. Most modern browsers allow users to decide whether to accept cookies, but rejection makes some websites unusable.
Phishing sites: Phishing sites a type of website used by cyber criminals to fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as username, passwords, credit card details, usually by using the name of trusted organization, such as eBay and Paypal. Sometimes, phishing sites uses spoof security padlock symbol to trick the victim.
Rogue anti-spyware: Rogue/ suspected/ suspicious anti-spyware is type of spyware remover program which the value as spyware remover is questionable. Most of them uses false positive or fake scanning result in their trial version, so that users will buy. More about rogue anti-spyware.
Copyrights (C) 2007 by Azlan. All rights reserved.
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