Spyware is becoming an increasingly prevalent tool that is used by internet marketing companies and others to gather information about computer users' activities on the internet. It is also widely reported that some spyware is also being used to obtain personal information about visitors to the internet in order to facilitate identity theft or worse.
What is it and how did I get it?
In its most basic sense, spyware can be defined as "any software program that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge, and can relay this information back to an unauthorized third party." This definition was proposed by a industry trade group and probably enjoys general consensus in the industry. While there are many ways these software programs can be delivered, they usually end up on a user's computer by being surreptitiously downloaded in the background while the user is visiting a participating website. Once the code is inserted into the appropriate places in the user's browser, it can collect information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and social security numbers, or it can monitor and report behavioral information such as the user's favorite websites or internet purchasing habits.
Adware - Spyware's nicer cousin
Spyware is often grouped together with Adware, although there are some significant differences between the two. While the main purpose of spyware is to obtain information about a user, the main purpose of adware is to advertise. Usually, this advertisement is accomplished through pop-up ads, but recently, adware manufacturers have gotten more clever and have figured out ways to, for example, cause the user's browser to display search results determined by the advertisers instead of the search site. While some adware programs may use tactics that are similar to spyware, they claim to do so with the knowledge and consent of the user -- although this claim is often disputed by the user who is sick of pop-up ads. Typically, adware finds its way onto the user's computer by being "bundled" with other applications that the user actually wants. One of the main issues with adware is the fact that the user often does not know that they are downloading the adware code along with the desired application.
Many adware companies currently argue that their software is only downloaded with the consent of the user. What they do not tell you is that consent is often given by way of a long, complex and burdensome notice agreement. The typical user, which practically every computer user has been guilty of this at some point, will instead of reading the entire 40 or 50 page pop-up consent regarding what is being downloaded, will simply click "OK" in order to download the program they want. What they miss by not reading that long notice is that bundled along with the software the user wanted, there is a spyware or adware program.
What is it and how did I get it?
In its most basic sense, spyware can be defined as "any software program that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge, and can relay this information back to an unauthorized third party." This definition was proposed by a industry trade group and probably enjoys general consensus in the industry. While there are many ways these software programs can be delivered, they usually end up on a user's computer by being surreptitiously downloaded in the background while the user is visiting a participating website. Once the code is inserted into the appropriate places in the user's browser, it can collect information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and social security numbers, or it can monitor and report behavioral information such as the user's favorite websites or internet purchasing habits.
Adware - Spyware's nicer cousin
Spyware is often grouped together with Adware, although there are some significant differences between the two. While the main purpose of spyware is to obtain information about a user, the main purpose of adware is to advertise. Usually, this advertisement is accomplished through pop-up ads, but recently, adware manufacturers have gotten more clever and have figured out ways to, for example, cause the user's browser to display search results determined by the advertisers instead of the search site. While some adware programs may use tactics that are similar to spyware, they claim to do so with the knowledge and consent of the user -- although this claim is often disputed by the user who is sick of pop-up ads. Typically, adware finds its way onto the user's computer by being "bundled" with other applications that the user actually wants. One of the main issues with adware is the fact that the user often does not know that they are downloading the adware code along with the desired application.
Many adware companies currently argue that their software is only downloaded with the consent of the user. What they do not tell you is that consent is often given by way of a long, complex and burdensome notice agreement. The typical user, which practically every computer user has been guilty of this at some point, will instead of reading the entire 40 or 50 page pop-up consent regarding what is being downloaded, will simply click "OK" in order to download the program they want. What they miss by not reading that long notice is that bundled along with the software the user wanted, there is a spyware or adware program.
1 comment:
Spywares are really dangerous as
you have mentioned.
And thanks for your suggestions
and a great blog..
code Web hosting indi
Post a Comment