Definition of Spyware Spyware is software that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge and that may send such information to another entity without the consumer’s consent, or that asserts control over a computer without the consumer’s knowledge. In short, Application that send information from your computer to the creator of the spyware without your attention.
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Definition of SpywareSpyware is software that aids in gathering information
about a person or organization without their knowledge and that may send such information to another entity without the consumer’s consent, or that asserts control over a computer without the consumer’s knowledge.
In short, Application that send
information from your computer
to the creator of the spyware
without your attention.
History of spyware
The first recorded use of the term Spyware occurred on 16 October 1995 in a Usenet post that poked fun at Microsoft’s business model.
In 1999 Zone Labs used the term when they made a press release for the Zone Alarm Personal Firewall
As of 2006, Spyware has become one of the preeminent security threats to computer system running Microsoft Windows operating system.
Classification of Spyware “Spyware” is mostly classified into four types:
1) System Monitors
2) Trojans
3) Adware
4) Tracking cookies
1) System monitorsA system monitor is a hardware or software component
used to monitor resources and performance in a computer system.
2) TrojansNon-self-replicating type of malware program Having some malicious codewhen executed carries out action determined by the nature of
the TrojanTypically causing loss or theft of data, and possible system
harm.The Trojan often acts as a backdoor, contacting a controller
which can then have unauthorized access to the affected computer.
3) Adware Adware, or advertising-supported software, is any
software package which automatically renders advertisements in order to generate revenue for its author.
The advertisements may be in the users interface of the software or on a screen presented to the user during the installation process.
4) Tracking cookiesTracking cookies are not viruses or malicious code. Cookies are only text files and therefore cannot be
dangerous to your computer. The main purpose of cookies is to identify users and
possibly prepare customized web pages for them.
Gator, Cydoor, and eZulaThese three are spyware programsAll three are “spybot” or “adware” class programsThey are typically packaged with popular free software.They all send and retrieve information from remote
servers using the HTTP protocol.
GatorGator is adware that collects and transmits information
about a user’s Web activity. Goal is to
◦ Gather demographic information◦ Generate a profile of the user’s interests for targeted
advertisements. Gator can be installed on a user’s computer in several
ways. ◦ When a user installs one of several free software programs
produced by Claria Corporation (the company that produces Gator), such as a free calendar application or a time synchronization client.