Spyware: The Misery To Computer Users
By:
Pasquale Crociata
Andrew Fishstein
Tonya Miller
Spyware is every computer’s worst enemy. It slows down a person’s computer and takes personal information from a computer, without the user’s permission. It can also install additional software, as well as redirecting web browser activity, and access websites blindly that will cause harmful viruses. It may even adjust a person’s computer settings, which may result in different home pages and the loss of internet or other programs. A way a person can tell if they have spyware is if one of the following functions are on a users’ computer: advertising, collecting personal information, or changing computer configurations.
The first recorded use of the term spyware occurred on October 16, 1995 in a Usenet post that made fun of Microsoft’s business model. According to a study by AOL and the National Cyber-Security Alliance in 2005, 61 percent of surveyed users’ had some sort of spyware on their computer. 92 percent of the people in the survey did not know spyware was on their computer and 91 percent said they didn’t give permission to have the spyware installed. Before Internet Explorer 7 was released, the browser would automatically display an installation window for any ActiveX component that the certain website wanted to install. Many spyware components would also find flaws in JavaScript, Internet Explorer and Windows to install without the users permission.
Anti spyware software are being used to eliminate the spread of spyware. Running this software has become a widely recognized program for computer security. This software targets the users programs that were downloaded without the users consent. A number of techniques have been used in order to stop the spread of spyware. These include programs designed to remove or block spyware, as well as various other user practices, which reduces chances of getting spyware on a system. When a large amount of spyware has infected a windows computer, the only solution may be to back up the users data or fully reinstall the system. Major anti-virus companies have created anti-spyware programs to help further protect a computer. Some of the companies that have created anti-spyware programs are: McAfee, Norton, and Symantec.
An anti-spyware program can be helpful in finding spyware in two ways. They provide real time protection against the installation of spyware software on a computer. This type of spyware protection works the same way as that of anti virus protection. It scans all incoming network data for spyware software and blocks any threats it comes across. Another way this software can prevent spyware is by using the anti spyware software. This program can be used only for detection and removal of spyware software that has been already installed onto your computer. This type of spyware protection is normally easier and much popular. With these spyware protection software’s, people can schedule weekly, daily, or monthly scans on a computer to detect and remove any spyware software that has been installed without their permission.
Unlike viruses, however, spyware doesn’t replicate itself. Instead, spyware uses infected computers for commercial gain. Spyware doesn’t usually spread like a computer virus or worm, but instead it gets on a system through deception of the user or developing through software vulnerabilities. Spyware tricks users by making them install the software, and making it seem like the user needs it for their work and privacy environment. Software’s such as Kazaa or Limewire trick users in loading their personal information and downloading music from other unreliable hosts. It can also come with shareware or other downloadable software. The user downloads a program and installs it, and without knowing what they really installed, spyware is installed on the system.
They’re many ways spyware could trick users into installing spyware software on to their system without them knowing. A simple way is for spyware to manipulate security settings that are designed to prevent unwanted installations. When some links are clicked, a pop-up ad may appear like a standard windows dialog box. People may think that it’s just a window that popped saying that their computer is warning them about something. The box would ask a question with a yes or no button. The links would both place spyware onto the users system. Some spyware authors infect a system through security holes in the browser or in other software. When a user is normally surfing the Web page controlled by the spyware owner, the page would cause attacks and add codes which would force the installation of spyware.
A spyware program is rarely alone on a computer. An affected computer could be infected by many other components. A way for assuring that a computer might have spyware installed, is seeing unwanted CPU programs on a computer. Many spyware programs display advertisements. Some programs only show pop-up ads on a regular basis, others display ads in response to specific sites that the user visits.
These common spyware programs show the diversity found in these attacks: CoolWebSearch (CWS) (vulnerabilities), Internet Optimizer (advertising), Zango (transmits detailed information to advertisers about the web sites for which users visit), HuntBar (drive-by download) and Movieland (movie download service that has been excessively opened oversized pop-up windows that could not be minimized or closed). There are millions of different spyware programs that could be installed on a user’s computer. This is why it is so hard to manage what sites are appropriate and what sites would save someone from the trouble of pop-ups or invading their privacy.
Spyware surprisingly has also been related to identity theft . In 2005, researchers from the security software firm Sunbelt Software believed that the makers from the CoolWebSearch spyware had used it to transmit user names, passwords, and even bank information but it turned out to be a Trojan that’s independent from CWS. Spyware makers may commit wire fraud with dialer program spyware. These can reset a modem to dial up a premium-rate telephone number, instead of the usual ISP. Connecting to these suspicious numbers involves long distance or overseas charges which cost a lot of money. Dialers are not effective on computers that do not have a modem or are not connected to a telephone line.
Many people install a large hosts file, which prevents the user’s computer from connecting to known spyware related addresses. However, by connecting to the numeric IP address, rather than the domain name, spyware may get around this sort of protection. Spyware may get installed through certain shareware files to download. Downloading programs from only reputable sources can provide protection for this type of attack. It may tell the person that it will only keep files that pass inspection through Ad-Adware and Spyware Doctor.
Though spyware slows down a computer, they’re plenty of ways to not obtain it and be able to get rid of it. A person should always try to download from reliable sources, and not always trust ads that pretend to help get rid of spyware. Getting a anti-spyware program will help eliminate spyware and keep a person’s computer safe with no annoying advertisements or pop-ups.