Defining spyware terms.

Webroot Software have released its definition of spyware and other related terms following the publication of their' State of Spyware Report', (available at www.webroot.com/stateofspyware)_as follows:

Spyware is essentially any kind of software that can get onto a computer without the user's informed consent and, has the ability to secretly report back the user's information.

System Monitors

System monitors have the ability to monitor computer activity. They range in capabilities and may record some or all of the following: keystrokes, e-malls, chat room conversations, instant messages, websites visited, programs run, time spent on websites or using programs and even usernames and passwords. The information is transmitted via remote access or sent by e-mail.

A keylogger is a type of system monitor that has the ability to monitor all keystrokes on a computer. A keylogger can record and log e-mail conversations, chat room conversations, instant messages and any other typed material. They may have the ability to run in the background, hiding their presence. Keyloggers and System Monitors may be used for legitimate purposes but can also be installed to record sensitive information for malicious purposes.

Tracking Cookies

Cookies are pieces of information that are generated by a Web server and stored on a computer for future access. Companies initially used cookies to provide a user with customised content while viewing their websites. Some tracking cookies collect personal information including surfing habits, usernames and passwords, areas of interest, etc. This information can be shared with multiple websites in order to provide targeted marketing to particular users. Some websites install and access tracking cookies without the user's knowledge or consent.

Trojan Horses 

A Trojan horse is a malicious program disguised as a harmless software program. Trojans do not replicate themselves like viruses, but are spread through e-mall attachments and Web downloads. Once the file is opened, the Trojan may install itself on a computer without the user's knowledge or consent. It may have the ability to manage files on a computer, including creating, deleting, renaming, viewing or transferring files to or from the computer. It may install a program that allows a malicious user to install, execute, open or close software programs or take full control of the infected machine. The malicious user may have the ability to open and close the CD-ROM drive, gain control of the cursor and keyboard and may even send spam by sending mass e-mails from the infected computer. They have the ability to run in the background, hiding their presence.

Browser Hijackers 

Sometimes called Home Page Hijackers, browser hijackers have the ability to change a user's default home page as well as other Web browser settings. Common behaviour also includes adding advertising, pornographic or other unwanted bookmarks, creating pop-up advertisements and redirecting mistyped or incomplete URLS. Additionally, browser hijackers may redirect web searches to 'pay -per-search" websites that are often pornographic in nature.

Diallers

Diallers are programs designed to disconnect a computer from its local Internet provider and reconnect to another website via a premium rate telephone number, long distance number or other high-cost phone number. These programs are designed to collect revenue via high cost telephone charges and are often installed without a user's knowledge or consent and are able to dial without the user's knowledge.

Adware

Adware is often bundled with or embedded within freeware, utilitarian programs such as filesharing applications, search utilities, information-providing programs (for example clocks, messengers, alerts, weather and so on) and software such as screensavers, cartoon cursors, backgrounds, sounds, etc. Adware applications may monitor a user's Internet surfing activities and display advertising including targeted pop-up, pop-under and other advertisements on the computer. Some adware may track a user's Web surfing habits. Deleting adware may result in the deletion of the bundled freeware application.

Other

Programs detected on a user's system that fall under this category are not necessarily considered malicious or unwanted. These programs fall into several categories and there are predominantly two opinions regarding adware: love it or hate it. The first opinion of adware is that these programs use unnecessary space and system resources. A user does not want to be targeted with advertising or promotions that these programs may deliver. Occasionally a user forgets downloading the application and no longer finds it useful. On other occasions these programs are installed inadvertently by someone else with access to the computer, such as a child or roommate. Even though a user may forget about or be unaware of the desired program, the malicious parts of the bundle continue to live and work on the computer.

Problems arise when the desired programs are bundled or linked to other applications that the user does not want, but that were received by default when the desired program was initially downloaded. Removing part of the bundled program may also remove or disable the desired program.

The second opinion of adware is that these programs are beneficial to have on a system, and may be accepted by the user.

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