Last week we started our series on Spyware. We have a few more articles on this topic for the future before we move to discussing the other little nasties out there that can threaten your business IT assets as well as home computers. This week we talk about what Spyware does, but before we begin, I want to let everyone know that the Small Business Advantage membership is no longer free, but almost free. Don’t worry if you joined free, you are grandfathered in and it will remain free. So for those who have yet to join, come check it out. Currently we have over 300 website templates, Project management software, e-book on PC security, free virus scan software and anti-spyware software, security seals for your websites and much more…all for free to our members. Follow the link below:

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Ok let’s talk Spyware…

For all computer owners and internet users, the mention of the Spyware software is undoubtedly a familiar one. Not only is a large population aware of the existence of the software, but are also at a risk of having their computers infected by it.

In order to be able to understand what the software does, it is important to first have a brief understanding about the software. In a nutshell, Spyware can be understood to be a kind of spy software program that infects the computer and monitors the usage of the internet, and thus accumulates a plethora of information regarding the Internet- related activities of the user.

The software works stealthily and most users are unable to detect its presence on the computer as the Spyware virus latches onto the computer via the means of concealed elements loaded within a number of shareware as well as freeware programs that the user might be downloading from the Internet. The greatest danger posed by Spyware lies in the fact that the user might take a long time to realize of its presence and in the time being the software can cause considerable damage to the computer system.

Thus, defining what the software actually does can be understood from the purpose it serves itself. The Spyware software once nested into a personal computer commences to watch the internet activity of the user of the computer. Details regarding any and every minute spent online are gathered and this collected information is then returned back to the individual who leased the Spyware software onto the computer to begin with. The Spyware software is used by a number of marketers and advertisers in a bid to gain personal information and information regarding habits and preferences of potential customers to gain an edge in their businesses.

The danger from Spyware stems from the fact that the virus can record almost any detail regarding activity over the internet, ranging from websites visited to transactions made, from recording keystrokes to memorizing passwords etc. In some extreme cases, Spyware software has been known to make copies of classified and personal information regarding the user.

There are a number of other things that Spyware software can accomplish, all of which weaken the user of the PC as the information regarded or disclosed is often personal in nature.

The software can cause damage to the main computer system. This can be noticed in two different ways. In many cases the performance of the computer is seen to get retarded and the computer works at a very slow pace. In the extreme cases, the software has been known to cause a lockdown of the whole system.

Some mischief making individuals often release a Spyware virus that attaches to a PC and affects it by capturing the home browser page and adjusting it to a different website, usually one with pornographic content.

Many times the presence of the Spyware software on a PC leads to the building of a toolbar full of viruses and other Spyware related programs in the Internet Explorer, thus causing further intrusion into the personal life of the user.

The various viruses released onto the computer very often cause the Internet Explorer and the Windows Explorer to disintegrate and crash,

The Spyware software can steal confidential information from the PC using keyboard monitoring software. Credit Card related information as well as other ID data is often taken from the PC by this software with the mal intention of identity theft related crimes.

The Spyware software can also monitor the Internet usage of an individual and make records of details about websites visited, time spent, content pursues and so and so forth, and the information and data collected by the software is often relayed to owners and administrators of other related and even unrelated websites.

Protecting oneself against Spyware software becomes imperative in the light of the intensity of personalized information that may be leaked out to undesirable sources.

Last week we provided you with an introduction to viruses, spyware, adware and malware. Our future articles will address each of those subjects. The next few articles we post will be related to Spyware. Please enjoy and apply where necessary.

Spyware is software that places itself onto the computer system without the user’s knowledge. It takes control over interaction of the user with the computer.
Spyware programs are usually designed with the purpose of tracking the user’s activities. The information thus collected, is transmitted to an unknown source.

Usually Spyware is used to keep a close watch on the Internet surfing habits of a user which is then, often used with Adware which is a virus that aims at marketing products by observing the nature of the advertisements the user pays attention to.

Based on the aim of the creator of the Spyware program, it can observe and collect data about email addresses, passwords, keystrokes, web pages visited, cookies, word processor documents as well as anything on the hard drive of the system.

Clearly, Spyware is a serious security and privacy threat as it allows the creator of the software to collect all kinds of information without the user having even the slightest idea that he is being monitored by a third party. Spyware can effectively be used to extract personal information for the purpose of identity theft or fraud. This information can also be sold by the creator to another source. This software is dangerous in the context that it makes the computer system completely vulnerable to being monitored by a third party, and therefore, makes the users Internet activities very transparent which is undoubtedly a serious violation of privacy.

The most common way by which Spyware is transmitted onto the computer system is when the user downloads other software- mainly free software (known as freeware) which is often for trial purposes. This is known as bundling which arises when the creator of the Spyware program pays the freeware producer to attach the virus onto the product.
While downloading the desired freeware, the attached Spyware virus that the user ultimately downloads as well may be mentioned in the licensing agreement. The Spyware creator expects the user to click “Ok” without going through the licensing agreement. However, even if the user glances through it, the inclusion of the virus will be mentioned in a very technical jargon, making its recognition very difficult.

Spyware is also transmitted to the computer system by regular visits of certain sites. The user may be asked to install a particular application which will enable him to view the site ‘properly’, to open a greeting card or to watch a video or listen to a song on a website. Once the user clicks on it, it may turn out to be a Spyware instead.

Another common way by which Spyware is extended onto a computer is through ActiveX controls. Once these start to load, the browser asks the user if he wants to install it. Every time the user loads a new page, he will be presented with the same prompter, until he gives up and just clicks ‘Yes’. However, they end up installing Spyware onto the system.

However, Spyware can also be used to benefit users by allowing parents to use it as a surveillance tool to monitor the websites visited by their children. It can also be used to track the web surfing activities of employees by employers to observe what goes on when they’re absent. This ‘wanted’ Spyware can be bought and installed in the same manner as any other software and helps to track activities such as websites visited; programs used, keyboard strokes, etc. When used in this positive manner, the data collected is not sent out to an unknown source but is referenced from the same computer by the concerned parent or employer.

Over the years, due to worsening of Spyware threats, various techniques have been created to combat the problem. Products such as Steve Gibson’s OptOut, Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware SE and Patrick Kolla’s Spybot- Search & Destroy- are dedicated towards eradicating or blocking Spyware.
Anti-virus firms too, (Symantec, Sophos, McAfee) have also added anti-Spyware features to their anti-virus software. Zone Labs, too which created Zone Alarm firewalls, have released anti-Spyware programs.

This week begins a series of posts on the little nasties that can hinder your computer systems at home and in your small business computer netowrking environment.

Virus:

A computer virus is a program that replicates itself and infects a computer without the user’s permission. A virus extends to another computer system when the host is transferred to it, for instance, if the user sends it through a portable medium such as a floppy disk, CD, DVD or USB. Most computer systems are connected through local area networks which increases the chances of the spread of a virus. Some recent viruses are known to affect a personal computer over networks such as Instant Messaging, Websites or even through a simple email. Viruses generally affect the computer system in a number of ways, depending on the nature of the virus and its degree of destruction. It can severely hamper the basic functioning of a computer or it may remain dormant in the system, without the user ever experiencing any serious connectivity problems.
Anti- virus software is capable of identifying and removing viruses
but is only effective when they are updated regularly.

Spyware

Spyware is a software that not only has the ability to collect all kinds of personal information picked up from the user’s activity with Internet surfing, but can also create obstacles in the functioning of the computer by installing new software and redirecting activity concerned with Web browsing. It changes settings of the computer system which leads to a slower Internet speed, special home pages and loss of proper functioning of other programs. Spyware usually tricks the user into installing it onto the system by presenting it in such a way that makes it seem like a useful and desirable service. Other ways in which Spyware is transmitted is through the installation of shareware, in which the virus is attached to the desired software. Spyware is also transmitted onto computer systems through a manipulation of the security features which are designed to curb unwanted installations on websites.
Over the years, due to worsening of Spyware threats, various products such as Steve Gibson’s OptOut, Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware SE and Patrick Kolla’s Spybot- Search & Destroy- have been created which are dedicated towards eradicating or blocking Spyware.

Adware:

Adware is software which intrudes on the user’s privacy. However, while Spyware is designed to hamper with confidential information, Adware usually aims at marketing. Adware tracks the user’s web browsing habits, the nature of advertisements he clicks on, the bookmarks he makes and other routine online functions. A more serious form of Adware forces the user to look at certain websites or adverts. This kind of Adware is designed with the purpose of directing us towards the installation of Spyware. Some programs which effectively remove this virus are Ad-aware and Spybot- Search & Destroy. However, sometimes Adware may have to be removed manually. For this, the user must first disconnect the Internet connection. Surprisingly, most Adware applications have a fully functioning de-installation option which can effectively remove the virus. Next the user must run a complete scan of the computer- which allows the user to clean quarantine or delete as required.

Malware:

Malware is a virus which tampers with the browser, redirects searches and leads to undesirable pop-up ads. Malware usually leads to a slowing down of the speed of the computer. Even after removal of the virus, it has the ability to reinstall itself- making it very difficult to permanently remove it. Like Spyware, Malware is usually attached to preferred software such as Kazaa and iMesh. The virus also presents itself to be a useful feature which will benefit the computer system, in order to deceive the user into installing it. Anti-virus firms hardly pay any heed to Malware. Regular anti-virus programs are used to remove Malware. However this is not entirely useful and a dedicated anti-Malware remover is required. The only precautions that users may take in this context include running regular virus scans and avoiding the virus altogether by being careful while surfing the Internet 

Please enjoy this brief 5 minute video on detecting virus, spyware, malware, and adware.