What Are Spyware Programs? What Can Spyware Programs Do?
Spyware programs can accomplish a
multitude of malicious tasks. Some of their deeds are simply annoying
for the user; others can become downright aggressive in nature.
Spyware can:-- Monitor your keystrokes for reporting purposes.
- Scan files located on your hard drive.
- Snoop through applications on our desktop.
- Install other spyware programs into your computer.
- Read your cookies.
- Steal credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal information.
- Change the default settings on your home page web browser.
- Mutate into a second generation of spyware thus making it more difficult to eradicate.
- Cause your computer to run slower.
- Deliver annoying pop up advertisements.
- Add advertising links to web pages for which the author does not get paid. Instead, payment is directed to the spyware programmer that changed the original affiliate’s settings.
- Provide the user with no uninstall option and places itself in unexpected or hidden places within your computer making it difficult to remove
Here are a few examples of commonly seen spyware programs:-
(Please note that while researchers will often give names to spyware programs,
they may not match the names the spyware-writers use.)
CoolWebSearch, a group of programs, that install through “holes” found in Internet Explorer. These programs direct traffic to advertisements on Web sites including coolwebsearch.com. This spyware nuisance displays pop-up ads, rewrites search engine results, and alters the computer host file to direct the Domain Name System (DNS) to lookup preselected sites.
Internet Optimizer (a/k/a DyFuCa), likes to redirect Internet Explorer error pages to advertisements. When the user follows the broken link or enters an erroneous URL, a page of advertisements pop up.
180 Solutions reports extensive information to advertisers about the Web sites which you visit. It also alters HTTP requests for affiliate advertisements linked from a Web site. Therefore the 180 Solutions Company makes an unearned
profit off of the click through advertisements they’ve altered.
HuntBar (a/k/a WinTools) or Adware.Websearch, is distributed by Traffic Syndicate and is installed by ActiveX drive-by downloading at affiliate websites or by advertisements displayed by other spyware programs. It’s a prime example of how spyware can install more spyware. These programs will add toolbars to Internet Explorer, track Web browsing behavior, and display advertisements.