What Is Spyware - ALL Spyware Definition in One Place

What is Spyware - ALL Spyware definition in one place Adware Adware is any type of advertising-supported software that will play, display, or download advertisements automatically on a user's computer once the software has been installed on it or while the application is in use. Some adware can also be spyware due to its privacy-invasive characteristics. BackDoor A backdoor in a computer system (or cryptosystem or algorithm) is a means of circumventing regular authentication, securing remote computer access, accessing plaintext, etc., while remaining to be undetected. A backdoor may appear to be an installed program or a modification to a program or hardware device that's already installed. Baiting Baiting uses tangible media and relies on the curiosity or greed of the victim. Baiting involves an attacker leaving a malware infected media such as a CD ROM or USB flash drive in a public place where it is likely to be found, appearing to be legitimate and appealing, and waits to be used by the victim. Baiting is easy to perform as in this example where an attacker might create a malware loaded CD with a company logo on it, and the words "Company Reorganization Plan" on the front. The media is left on the lobby floor of the targeted company. An employee could find it and then insert it into a computer to satisfy their curiosity. By inserting the CD into a computer to view its contents, the user unknowingly installs malware on it, allowing the attacker access to his computer and possibly, the company's computer network. If there is no mechanism to block the malware, then computers set to "auto-run" inserted media could be immediately compromised when the CD is inserted. Botnet Botnet is a collection of software robots, or bots, that are automatic and self- directed. Botnet is often associated with malware but can refer to the network of computers using distributed computing software. Botnet generally refers to a group of compromised computers called zombie computers running software that is usually installed via worms, trojans or backdoors, under a common command-and-control infrastructure. Browser plugin A browser plugin is a software program that extends the capabilities of your Internet browser in a specific way. Not all browser plugins are harmful and some may be helpful. This category contains mostly dubious browser plugins such as "Search Assistant", toolbars, etc. that have been known to transmit user data to their creators or have been installed using covert means. Commercial network A commercial network management tool is mostly used in (large) corporations. It can log the network traffic passively (sniffing) or examine the logs of proxies, etc. Nothing is installed on the individual computers, the software runs on a central server. They can only log items that pass through the network, but not local items such as the entered passwords, keystrokes or screenshots. Crimeware Crimeware is a distinct type of malware designed to automate financial crime by performing identity theft to access online accounts of users at financial institutions and online retailers for the express purpose of stealing funds from those accounts or performing unauthorized transactions to the benefit of the thief controlling the crimeware. Crimeware is often used to export private information from a network for financial exploitation. Crimeware is viewed as a growing concern in network security as this type of threat seeks to steal confidential information. Computer virus A computer virus is computer software that has the ability to replicate itself and infect a computer without the informed consent or knowledge of the computer user. Certain malware, adware and spyware have been incorrectly termed as a “virus” because they lack the ability to copy themselves. A real virus spreads from one system to another through an executable code when its host is transferred to a target computer; such as being sent over a network or the Internet, email or transported via removable media such as a CD, DVD or USB drive. Infected files residing in a network file system or any instance where a computer can be accessed by another one increases the chances of spreading a virus infection. The term "computer virus" is considered to be malware, a much broader term which also encompasses several types of malicious software including worms, trojans, and others. Although technically different, viruses are often confused with computer worms and trojans. Unlike a virus, a worm can take advantage of security holes in order to spread itself among other systems, while a trojan appears to be harmless but has an underlying plan. A worm, trojan or virus, once executed, can endanger a computer’s data, operation, or network ability. User awareness of some computer viruses and other malware may be readily apparent while many other types go unnoticed. The increasing number of computers being connected to local area networks and the Internet is creating an environment for computer viruses to spread. Increased use of email and instant messaging are additional ways computer viruses spread. Computer worm A computer worm is a self-replicating computer program that sends copies of itself within a computer network and it can do so without any involvement by the user. A worm doesn’t need to attach itself to an existing program in order to spread. Worms typically cause some harm to the network, most notably by consuming bandwidth. Data miner A data miner's primary function is to gather data about an end user. Some adware applications may employ data mining abilities. Email bomb An email bomb is a form of network abuse by sending enormous amounts of emails to an address in an attempt to overflow the mailbox or overwhelm the mail server where the email address is hosted in what is called a denial-of-service attack. Email spoofing Email spoofing is a fraudulent email activity in which parts of the email header and the sender address are modified, appearing as if the email was sent from another source. This technique is commonly used for spamming and phishing to conceal the origin of an email message. By altering certain properties of the email header, such as the From, Return-Path and Reply-To fields, fraudulent users can make the email appear to have been sent from someone other than the real sender. Sometimes the source of the spam email is indicated in the Reply-To field. If the initial email is replied to, it will be delivered to the address specified in the Reply-To field, which might be the spammer's address. But most spam emails, especially malevolent ones carrying a trojan or virus, or those advertising a website, falsify this email address, sending the reply to another potential victim. Exploit An exploit is a portion of software, data, or string of commands that take advantage of a computer bug, glitch or vulnerability disrupting normal behavior on computer software, hardware or other electronic device. Usually this includes seizing control of a user's computer system or attacks that allow privilege escalation or a denial of service. Fast flux Fast flux, DNS technique, is used by botnets to conceal phishing and malware distribution sites behind a continuously changing network of compromised host systems utilized as proxies. Fast flux can also refer to a combined peer-to-peer network, distributed command and control, web-based load balancing and proxy redirection to make malware networks less detectable and more resistant to counter-measures. Fast flux may be seen by Internet users in phishing attacks linked to crime organizations, including attacks on social networks. Fraudulent dialers Dialers are used to connect computers to the Internet but fraudulent dialers are designed to connect to premium-rate numbers. Fraudulent dialers are often installed through security holes in a computer's operating system and will change the computer settings to dial up through the premium-rate number. The additional monies are collected by the provider of the fraudulent number. Some dialers inform the user of benefits for using the special number to access special content which is usually illegal materials or downloads. Users that have DSLs or other broadband connections are usually not affected since a dial is dependent on regular phone lines. But, if an ISDN adapter or additional analog modem is installed, the dialer may be able to connect. Malicious dialers can be identified by: A download popup opens when a website is opening. The website may or may not discreetly display a price. The download initiates even if the cancel button has been clicked. Without any notice, the dialer installs as a default connection. The dialer perpetuates unwanted connections without any user action. No notice about the price is presentedbefore dialing in. While connected, the high price of the connection is not shown. The dialer cannot be easily uninstalled if at all. Hacker A hacker is a someone who breaks into computers. A hacker subculture has evolved and is often referred to as the computer underground. Hackers proclaim to be motivated by artistic and political ends, and apparently have no concern in using criminal means to accomplish them. A hacker could also be unrelated to computer security, such as a computer programmer or home computer hobbyists. Hijacker Hijacker is an application that attempts to take control of the user's homepage and replace it with one that the hijacker chooses. It is a low security threat, but is annoying. Most hijackers use stealth techniques or trick dialog boxes to perform installation. Browser hijackers commonly do one or more of the following: Change your "search" page and passes all searches to a pay-per-search site Change your default home page to the company page.

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