Ten Common Spyware Threats

You have heard the phrase “know your enemy.” However, here are your most common spyware enemies (source: FaceTime Security Labs). Don’t be fooled – spyware is not a game. It costs people and companies millions of dollars each year. Spyware can be used to monitor your surfing habits, steal credit card details, or be a nuisance. In any case, the royal pain. Know the enemies. 1. Gator – Gator is installed by users as a password archive. This means that passwords can be automatically recalled when you visit the sites. The trade-off of this service is that you have to be patient with criminals when you visit certain sites. Claria, the creator of Gator, has cleared up his act a bit by labeling pop-up ads, but they are still annoying. 2. CoolWebSearch – This must be one of the most notorious browser hijackers out there. This is the name given to a program with a wide variety of redirecting users to coolwebsearch.com or datanotary.com. Extracting can be very difficult. Users should not attempt to uninstall this software. 3. 180SearchAssistant – This software provides ads on pop-ups or pop-up websites based on your search keywords. This software usually comes with some “freebie” software installations such as emoticons or background images. Newer versions of the software have an add remove feature for the uninstall program. 4. Huntbar – Now here’s an annoying piece of software. Huntbar installs a toolbar in Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer. Changes your homepage and search page settings to identify their servers. If you use another search engine, Huntbar will redirect you to theirs. Good stuff. Oh, and it puts a 15% pull on memory resources. 5. Cydoor – This software usually comes with P2P software, ie. peer to peer. Again, it barrages you with a series of pop-up advertisements. It also tracks usage information. Once again, it conflicts with a series of emerging ads. It also tracks usage information. 6. bar – Another good piece of software, which is not needed. bar installs “drive-by” with ActiveX and javascript. That means you are visiting a site and trying to install it on your computer. Well, huh. Activex controls include a toolbar that pushes information into my-internet.info and blazefind.com. 7. WhenU-DesktopBar – Displays advertising content. It monitors internet traffic, collects search profiles, and can use code from a remote server using its update feature only. Related searches may cause them to show special offers, coupons, or other advertising content. Adware may also display ads. 8. New.Net – New.Net is a company that sells “unusual” domain names for top-level domains. Pronto must be removed. 9. IEPlugin – As the name implies, it features a toolbar in Internet Explorer. Tracks the use of websites, form objects (such as names, addresses, etc. – i.e. kes!), And the names of local browsing files. Attacks – remove. 10. BargainBuddy – Bargain Buddy used to be everywhere. It is still distributed by BullzEye Network. It also configures Browser Assistance (BHO) and monitors your computer usage. Then, guess what, push the ads in your way based on that usage.