SPYWARE

Spyware, a new class of malicious programs, is just as dangerous as viruses but generally Is underreported. The issues are no longer those of privacy, security and performance, but possible legal and criminal liabilities. The best defenses against spyware are education, awareness and careful reading of license agreements prior to installation of any software.

SPYWARE

Spyware is not a virus; behaves more like a Trojan horse.

Typically, no data is damagedSpyware runs quietly in the background

without your knowledgeSpyware forwards information about you,

your surfing habits, and data from your computer to the spyware’s owner.

SPYWARE

Definition: Spyware is “ware” that spies on you

OrAny software that covertly gathers user

information through the user’s Internet connection without your knowledge, usually for advertising purposes

SPYWARE

Two types of spyware based on functionality:

1. loggers-runs silently in the background and records activities like key strokes and mouse clicks on your computer; data can be played back to reconstruct what you’ve done. Can steal passwords and credit card numbers.

SPYWARE

Two types of spyware based on functionality:

2. trackers-monitor usage habits and store them as statistical data for reporting. Data typically used to track your surfing habits.

SPYWARE

How does your computer get spyware? 1. generally, from free downloads like

Kazaa or free game programs (bundles the spyware with the “free” download)

2. visiting a web site 3. viewing emailThe downloads from a web site or email

may require you to click to view the site; when you click, you authorize a download.

Spyware

In a U.S. securities filing, it was disclosed that the Kazaa file-swapping program had quietly bundled software from Brilliant Digital Entertainment that would create a P2P distribution network what when activated used the individual users’ bandwidth, drive space and process cycles to distribute paid commercial content and run computing tasks for Kazaa.

Spyware

Possible problems caused by spyware includes:Web accessing slow downComputer locking upSystem start up problemsWindows not shutting down properlyComputer slow down because of all the

applications running in the background.

Spyware Countermeasures

Set “cookies” preferenceInstall pop-up blockerInstall Spybot or AdawareInstall a firewall and monitor outgoing

activity