What Is Spyware?
Spyware is any technology that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. On the Internet (where it is sometimes called a spybot or tracking software), spyware is programming that is put in someone's computer to secretly gather information about the user and relay it to advertisers or other interested parties. Spyware can get in a computer as a software virus or as the result of installing a new program.
Data collecting programs that are installed with the user's knowledge are not, properly speaking, spyware, if the user fully understands what data is being collected and with whom it is being shared. However, spyware is often installed without the user's consent, as a drive-by download, or as the result of clicking some option in a deceptive pop-up window. Adware, software designed to serve advertising, can usually be thought of as spyware as well because it almost invariably includes components for tracking and reporting user information.
Types of Spyware, Adware, Hijackware and More
It is no longer safe to assume that because you have installed antivirus software you are safe from network attacks and prying eyes. In the past, most of us worried about Viruses, Trojans, and Worms, but in recent years, a new form of attack has appeared that has been added to the list of software considered Malware (Malicious Software) because of the unwanted side effects. Malware is a collection of undesirable software that is typically installed on a computer without your express consent or knowledge. The new classifications include: Adware, Spyware, Browser Hijackers (Hijackware or Plug-ins), Keyboard loggers and Auto Dialers. Although they have different purposes they also have a lot in common with each other and in many cases, they come attached to software you intentionally installed on your system.
- What is Spyware?
- Spyware is typically classified as any software that monitors your activity without your knowledge or permission. Some Spyware simply collects information and stores it on your system, and requires physical access to the machine to recover the data. Another type of Spyware uses an Internet connection in the background to transmit the collected information to a third party. This type of behavior should raise concern for your privacy. Do not confuse this with information collected for registration purposes and sent to a vendor when you select the "register on-line" option.
- What is Adware?
- Adware is software designed to track your usage patterns and display targeted ads while you are using a free software package or while browsing the web with a helper application you installed. The ads may appear inside the application or may pop-up in separate windows. Either way, these ads are based on information that has been gathered from your usage patterns and sent to a server for storage and analysis. Typical applications include a program like Kazaa that many users download and install without really reading the license agreement (EULA) -- see, for example, Kazaa's Ad Support statement.
- What is Hijackware?
- These are Trojans that get into your system and redirect your default home page and sometimes redirect your Search page to one of their sponsor sites. Sometimes this is the result of vulnerabilities in un-patched Internet Explorer browsers or as part of another application you installed. Some are one-time changes while others may be the result of a program that was downloaded and installed which results in you being unable to alter the settings. Other examples of Hijackware are Browser Plug-ins or Helpers that monitor Web pages as you view them and then may replace banner ads or generate new pop-ups from advertisers that offer similar products who are paying royalties to the party responsible for the Hijackware.
- What is an Auto Dialer?
- If you use Dial-Up to connect to the Internet there are also Auto Dialers that may connect to a long distant site or maybe even 1-900/976 numbers thereby causing you to incur exorbitant charges on your telephone bill. Although Auto Dialers are not technically Spyware or Adware, they sometimes get delivered with Freeware and use a similar technique of disguising their undesired activity in the EULA. (Do you understand this EULA?) Some Auto Dialers also connect to a remote site and download additional software to further compromise your machine.
Is this Legal?
Most people think this type of activity is illegal, rather it is more likely simply unethical. In many instances wording is included in the "End User License Agreement" that is displayed during the installation phase stating that the software may collect 'certain' pieces of information to be used by the vendor. This leaves the door open for the software to monitor and track what you do while using the software and possibly while browsing the Web.