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Computer Help
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Perhaps the ten most common symptoms/capabilities of Spyware are:
Displaying unwanted or intrusive advertising
Ads often appear in their own browser windows
Many Adware ads are pornographic
Ads may be “targeted” at the user based on which websites he or she visits.
(e.g. a user who visits movie websites will be shown movie-related ads)
Recording private data and transmitting it to a third party
Spyware can collect technical information about the user’s computer.
Some threats will attempt to steal passwords and usernames, often for online
banking.
Spyware keyloggers can record every keystroke, while some surveillance programs
can capture images of the user’s display.
Changing Web browser settings like homepage, search page, error page and
Favorites/Bookmarks
Threats with this behavior are called browser hijackers.
If a user changes the affected settings, they will often be reset to the
hijacked settings on reboot.
A changed search page may indicate that all Web searches are being
monitored.
Allowing a remote intruder to access the user’s computer and perform unwanted
actions, some of which can cause serious damage
Remote Administration Tools (RATs) are among the most dangerous Spyware threats.
Remote influence can allow an intruder to shut down programs, modify and delete
files, and steal any and all information stored on the user’s computer.
Downloading and installing unwanted files or programs without notifying the user
or requesting permission.
Downloader components are often labeled as the “auto-update” features of larger
programs. If a Spyware program is allowed to auto-update, it can download and
install anything, including more Spyware or viruses and worms.
Download Accelerators can easily auto-download unwanted files, as can
specialized file-delivery programs.
Down loaders are distinct from file-sharing programs like Kazaa and Grokster,
which allow users to download files from each other.
Shut down a program/process, or even disable or shut down a PC
Plenty of Spyware is poorly written and prone to crashing, often locking up the
user’s machine.
Some
Spyware intentionally disables security software
like firewalls and anti-virus programs.
Remote Administration Tools (RATs) often allow intruders to shut
down or restart the user’s computer.
Uses a modem-connected phone-line to call pay-per-minute phone services or
phone-based payment lines
Programs called dialers can use a phone connected to the user’s computer to call
adult pay-per-minute phone services
Certain pornographic websites allow patrons to pay their monthly fee by using a
dialer program
Dialers can be automatically installed by certain websites using
ActiveX scripts
Exploits a security vulnerability in another program
Many legitimate applications have loopholes or flaws in their code that hackers
exploit for a variety of reasons.
Security exploits are often used to access a user’s computer and gain remote
influence.
Some hackers attack security vulnerabilities purely for recognition or to point
out flaws in a respected application.
Floods an Internet connection or network
Flooder programs send massive amounts of data to a computer or network in an
attempt to overload and disable the connection.
Network floods can cost businesses thousands or even millions in lost
productivity.
Denial of Service (DoS) attacks are group attacks that employ multiple computers
in an attempt to shutdown a website or network.
Distributes a Spyware threat, virus, worm, or Trojan
Some Spyware applications attempt to transmit threats over file-sharing
networks.
Some threats can collect e-mail addresses stored on a user’s computer and mass
e-mail dangerous files.
Worms and viruses are more likely to distribute threats.
Spyware Removal
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