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'Spyware' has become a commonly used term to embrace all types of intrusive and/or damaging software. Parasiteware, Spyware, Adware and Malware are probably the most distinct categories |
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ParasiteWare |
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Tracking links used on websites can be overwritten, thus sending prospective purchasers, members etc., to a different location or changing the referal ID. This basically steals revenue or visitors from honest webmasters. ParasiteWare represents little in the way of a security threat to the visitor. |
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Adware |
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Sometimes known as Adbots, adware can log your online surfing and spending habits and create annoying pop-up ad windows as you surf. Adware is often bundled with other software without the user's knowledge or installed using a "drive-by download" - a misleading dialogue box or other method of stealth installation. Keep in mind that by removing Adware sometimes the program it came bundled with for free may stop functioning. |
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Spyware |
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Spyware is more dangerous than Adware as it can record your keystrokes as you type them, passwords, credit card numbers, sensitive information, where you surf, chat logs, and can even take random screenshots of your activity. Basically whatever you do on the computer is completely viewable by the spy. You do not have to be connected to the Internet to be spied on. |
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Many spyware vendors use polymorphic techniques to avoid detection and removal and may use routines to re-install the spyware after it has been detected. Don't panic and don't start deleting files. |
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Malware |
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Malware (malicious software) is designed specifically to damage your machine or interrupt the normal surfing environment. Examples are 'page hijackers' and 'dialers'. |
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Homepage Hijackers |
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Applications that attempt to reset the user's home page with one of the hijackers choosing. Most Hijackers use stealth techniques or trick dialogue boxes to perform the operation. They are a low security threat, though obnoxious.. |
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Dialers |
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Software usually used by pornographic vendors. The dialer will cause the user's modem to connect to the internet using a premium rate number charging your phone bill with huge costs. While dialers do not spy on users they can cause huge financial harm to the victim. |
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Symptoms |
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Poor system resources, running out of memory, lots of hard disk activity, a monitor that flickers a lot, slow connection, computer running slower and taking longer to start and shut-down, increase in SPAM received. |
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Options |
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Be careful where you download files from, don't open unknown e-mail attachments and surf responsibly. If you visit 'questionable' sites then expect questionable results. |
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