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Internet Security
5
Most Common Spyware Threats
Spyware
means any program that can change your computer system
while gathering information about your
activities while you are on the computer. The information is
usually sent to the spyware creator via your internet connection
without your knowledge. In order for it to work correctly,
it must be able to run without the user shutting the computer
down. Being hidden also helps the program to get installed
in the first place. Because of this, spyware is usually disguised
as a Trojan horse. This is a program that quietly runs in the
background, inviting the user to run it, while spreading its
malicious code. This code can do any number of things. It can
start right away or it may simply install a program that won't
start for sometime. Once it does start, it can delete all of
the files on the computer or it can infect the computer and
try to infect other computers on the network. There are a number
of ways spyware is delivered, and as a Trojan horse is the
most common. It usually comes with other pieces of software
that a user might find interesting. This software is usually
shared through a file-sharing network or downloadable off of
the internet. Once the user installs the software, the spyware
also gets installed.
The
most common reason spyware is infecting computers is for
the profit of the spyware creator. In most cases, it gets information
about the computer user and shows them pop-up ads related to
their needs. It can even redirect internet search engine results
to the benefit of the spyware creator. In addition to these
things, spyware can infect your e-mail address book. Once this
occurs, spam will be sent to every single person in every single
infected address book. This spam will usually be an advertisement
of some sort for the spyware creator's website. Once infected
with spyware, the creator can also profit from it by stealing
important information like bank account information, credit
card numbers, or contact information. It can steal the password
information for your software licensing. Spyware can also take
control of your modem to make expensive telephone calls from
the creator. There are currently five major spyware threats
to your internet security.
The
first major spyware threat is Gator or GAIN. This program
displays banner and pop-up ads based on your internet surfing
habits. It comes bundled with many popular software programs.
The major difference between Gator and most other spyware programs
is that users are clearly notified of its download before it
occurs.
Another major spyware threat is CoolWebSearch. This spyware
can do a number of things. First, it can hijack your current
internet settings, making things display wrong, and causing
other system problems. It can reset your homepage, and despite
the number of times you try to change it, you will be unable
to reset it to your desired site. It can also take over your
web searches, displaying only advertiser sites when you search
for information on web items. It installs bookmarks to pornographic
websites in your “Favorites” menu. It can cause your system
to continually reboot. It can also cause serious system slow
downs.
The third major spyware threat is 180searchassistant. This
program has both pop-up and pop-under ads based on the user's
search terms. Moreover, once a site is clicked on, a new browser
window opens to display more advertisements based on the search
terms. It constantly updates by itself, and it can display
pop-up ads even when the internet is not running. It can cause
system slow downs.
The fourth major spyware threat to your internet security
is ISTbar. This spyware program displays pornographic pop-ups,
even when the internet is not in use. It can hijack your browser
settings, reset your homepage, and cause continual cascading
pop-ups while you are using the internet. It will continually
download related files without your knowledge. Moreover, it
can cause system slow downs.
The final major spyware threat to your internet security is
Internet Optimizer. This program redirects your computer to
its advertising sites. It also downloads and continually updates
itself without your knowledge. The worst part about this spyware,
though, is it leaves a back door open to your system so other
viruses can penetrate your defenses.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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