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What are the different kinds of Spyware?
Many Spyware programs specialize in
performing one task—displaying ads,
collecting data, changing browser
settings, etc.—and can be easily
categorized. However there are a large
number that perform a variety of
different actions and are harder to
label. Still, a vocabulary for the
different types of Spyware threats has
grown useful within the industry and may
help home users detect and diagnose
threats.
Adware
Displays unwanted or intrusive
advertisements, or facilitates the
delivery of unwanted ads. The Adware
label covers a broad range of threats
that can display ads in browser windows,
open commercial websites, and collect
data for market research.
Browser Helper Object (BHO)
BHOs are not inherently dangerous. They
are DLL files that are executed by
Internet Explorer. Add-in toolbars and
sidebars are BHOs, and many of them are
completely benign, like the Google
toolbar. However, a great number of BHOs
function as Spyware, tracking Web usage,
recording private data and even
displaying ads.
Browser Hijacker
Changes Web browser settings like
homepage, search page, error page, and
Favorites/Bookmarks. Browser hijackers
are a common form of Spyware, affecting
millions of computers across North
America alone. If your homepage changes
unexpectedly or your search results seem
strange, you may have a browser
hijacker.
Dialer
Programs that access a user’s phone line
via a phone-connected modem. Dialers can
make unauthorized calls to
pay-per-minute phone services, costing
the user hundreds of dollars in phone
charges.
Downloader
Downloads and installs unsolicited files
or programs, often without notifying the
user or requesting permission.
Downloader programs are especially
dangerous because they allow any type of
file, including worms and viruses, to be
downloaded onto the user’s computer
Exploit
Exploits a security vulnerability in
another program, often to allow an
intruder to remotely access the user’s
computer. A threat is often classified
as an exploit if it is known to exploit
a vulnerability, but its other effects
are unknown.
Flooder
Sends massive amounts of data to a
computer or network in an attempt to
overload and disable a network/Internet
connection.
Keylogger
Records keystrokes into a log file and
may transmit or e-mail the file to an
intruder. Keyloggers can record
passwords and logins, allowing intruders
to access passworded programs and
websites, including online banking
accounts. Most keyloggers log ALL
keystrokes.
Malware
A generic term for software designed
specifically to do damage—“malicious
software.” Malware and viruses seem
similar, but Malware is typically not
self-replicating or designed for
PC-to-PC distribution.
Remote Administration Tool (RAT)
Allows a remote intruder to access a
user’s PC and perform unwanted actions
ranging from basic data collection to
file erasure and uploading, restart and
shutdown, and even hard-drive
formatting. Similar to so-called
“backdoor” applications, RATs give
intruders easy access to a PC.
Spyware/Surveillance
Designed to collect data for a variety
of purposes, true Spyware (or
surveillance) applications record
personal or private information and
transmit it to a third party. Often this
data is used for market research and
advertising, but more malicious Spyware
programs attempt to steal passwords,
logins, banking details and credit card
information.
Trackware/Data Miner
Tracks the user’s Web usage, Web
searches, or general computer use.
Cookies are one kind of data miner, and
although most are harmless, some attempt
to collect private information.
They’re not classified as Spyware, but
the following are commonly associated
with many Spyware threats.
Trojan
Trojan horse programs take their name
from the mythical wooden horse that
carried hidden Greek soldiers into Troy.
These programs contain hidden
functionality, often posing as useful
applications yet performing Spyware or
Adware functions, or allowing remote
access.
Worm
Worms are self-replicating,
fast-spreading Internet threats that are
more akin to viruses than Spyware. They
differ from viruses in that they can
replace entire files on the host
computer. Both viruses and worms attempt
to spread to as many computers as
possible, using e-mail, the Internet,
and file-sharing networks as methods of
distribution.
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