24-03-2011, 04:10 PM
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Introduction
• Spyware is any technology that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. It is secretly installed on the user's personal computer.
• While the term spyware suggests software that secretly monitors the user's computing
• Spyware is known to change computer settings, resulting in slow connection speeds, different home pages, and/or loss of Internet connection or functionality of other programs.
What is spyware?
• A class of software agents that reside on user computers and provide access and information to outside parties via network connections
– Schwartz, Davidson & Steffan (2003)
• “Spyware is just one of many startling examples of how our privacy is being eroded”
– Sen. John Edwards (2001)
• The FTC defines it as software that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge, and that may send that information to another entity without user consent
– Urbach & Kibel (2004)
History and Development
• 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
• According to a 2005 study by AOL and the National Cyber-Security Alliance, 61 percent of surveyed users' computers were infected with form of spyware. 92 percent of surveyed users with spyware reported that they did not know of its presence, and 91 percent reported that they had not given permission for the installation of the spyware
• As of 2006, spyware has become one of the preeminent security threats to computer systems running Microsoft Windows operating systems
• Difference b/w Spyware and Virus
• Virus:- "A program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes."
• Spyware:-Spyware takes advantage of the fact that people click I Agree to most software licenses without actually reading them. So technically, spyware is loaded with your knowledge and permission if you read the license
Spyware Impacts
• Deceptive functionality.
• Home page hijacking.
• Loss of privacy.
• Reduced performance.
• Broken web sites.
• Stolen advertising
• More advertising.
• System instability.
• Security risks.
Spyware Everywhere
• Over 78,000 applications designed to remotely monitor and report on computer user activities
• 85% of computers probably have spyware running on them
• Computers even come from the OEM with spyware on them
• Network administrators consider spyware a worse problem than Spam
Types of Spyware
• Adware, Key Loggers and Trojan Horses
• Any of these, at best, can monopolize your computing resources and bandwidth…at worst, compromise your passwords and intrude upon the sanctity of your identity
• You also have Browser Hijackers, Dialers, Drive-By Downloads, and Scumware
Popular Spywares
• GAIN/Gator
• VX/2
• AdGoblin
• Cool Web Search
• Direct Dialer
• Alexa
• WebRebates
How do I get rid of spyware?
• You can either remove each program manually, or use a utility to automatically remove all spyware.
• Automatically:- For the automatic route we recommend PC Pit stop Exterminate.
• Manual:- To use a manual removal method, you first need to determine what types of spyware have infested your system. Our quick scan can find some of the most common spyware . Each piece of spyware requires different removal procedures
Remedies and prevention
• As the spyware threat has worsened, a number of techniques have emerged to counteract it. These include programs designed to remove or to block spyware, as well as various user practices which reduce the chance of getting spyware on a system
• When a large number of pieces of spyware have infected a Windows computer, the only remedy may involve backing up user data, and fully reinstalling the operating system
Prevention / Destroy
Spybot Search and destroy
• Type: Spyware Killer
• Rating:
– Detect/Destroy: 3
– Additional Features: 3
– User Friendly: 5
– Updates: 2
– Cost: 5 (Free)
– Recommendations: 3
• Advantages:
– Has a Recovery feature that allows you to restore any files you may be deleted infected with spyware
– Has an Immunity feature that protects you from already known spywares
• Disadvantages:
– Infrequent updates cause spywares to slip past scans and immunity
• Comments:
– Good program, but because of slow updates of spyware definitions, it renders the program not as useful
Introduction
• Spyware is any technology that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. It is secretly installed on the user's personal computer.
• While the term spyware suggests software that secretly monitors the user's computing
• Spyware is known to change computer settings, resulting in slow connection speeds, different home pages, and/or loss of Internet connection or functionality of other programs.
What is spyware?
• A class of software agents that reside on user computers and provide access and information to outside parties via network connections
– Schwartz, Davidson & Steffan (2003)
• “Spyware is just one of many startling examples of how our privacy is being eroded”
– Sen. John Edwards (2001)
• The FTC defines it as software that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge, and that may send that information to another entity without user consent
– Urbach & Kibel (2004)
History and Development
• 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
• According to a 2005 study by AOL and the National Cyber-Security Alliance, 61 percent of surveyed users' computers were infected with form of spyware. 92 percent of surveyed users with spyware reported that they did not know of its presence, and 91 percent reported that they had not given permission for the installation of the spyware
• As of 2006, spyware has become one of the preeminent security threats to computer systems running Microsoft Windows operating systems
• Difference b/w Spyware and Virus
• Virus:- "A program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes."
• Spyware:-Spyware takes advantage of the fact that people click I Agree to most software licenses without actually reading them. So technically, spyware is loaded with your knowledge and permission if you read the license
Spyware Impacts
• Deceptive functionality.
• Home page hijacking.
• Loss of privacy.
• Reduced performance.
• Broken web sites.
• Stolen advertising
• More advertising.
• System instability.
• Security risks.
Spyware Everywhere
• Over 78,000 applications designed to remotely monitor and report on computer user activities
• 85% of computers probably have spyware running on them
• Computers even come from the OEM with spyware on them
• Network administrators consider spyware a worse problem than Spam
Types of Spyware
• Adware, Key Loggers and Trojan Horses
• Any of these, at best, can monopolize your computing resources and bandwidth…at worst, compromise your passwords and intrude upon the sanctity of your identity
• You also have Browser Hijackers, Dialers, Drive-By Downloads, and Scumware
Popular Spywares
• GAIN/Gator
• VX/2
• AdGoblin
• Cool Web Search
• Direct Dialer
• Alexa
• WebRebates
How do I get rid of spyware?
• You can either remove each program manually, or use a utility to automatically remove all spyware.
• Automatically:- For the automatic route we recommend PC Pit stop Exterminate.
• Manual:- To use a manual removal method, you first need to determine what types of spyware have infested your system. Our quick scan can find some of the most common spyware . Each piece of spyware requires different removal procedures
Remedies and prevention
• As the spyware threat has worsened, a number of techniques have emerged to counteract it. These include programs designed to remove or to block spyware, as well as various user practices which reduce the chance of getting spyware on a system
• When a large number of pieces of spyware have infected a Windows computer, the only remedy may involve backing up user data, and fully reinstalling the operating system
Prevention / Destroy
Spybot Search and destroy
• Type: Spyware Killer
• Rating:
– Detect/Destroy: 3
– Additional Features: 3
– User Friendly: 5
– Updates: 2
– Cost: 5 (Free)
– Recommendations: 3
• Advantages:
– Has a Recovery feature that allows you to restore any files you may be deleted infected with spyware
– Has an Immunity feature that protects you from already known spywares
• Disadvantages:
– Infrequent updates cause spywares to slip past scans and immunity
• Comments:
– Good program, but because of slow updates of spyware definitions, it renders the program not as useful
