Many types of malicious software, also known as malware, hack onto personal computers without the user’s knowledge or consent and perform specific destructive functions. Viruses are predominantly programmed to spread among files, corrupting them and destroying the operating system to make the computer useless. Other malware programs are written to infect computers surreptitiously and carry out specific tasks. Spyware is designed to monitor the computer and record the user’s personal information and habits.
Like other malware programs, spyware is written to interfere with a user’s normal use of their computer, to take over aspects of control and to access personal information. Like the name suggests, spyware collects information about the user, including that which is stored on the computer.
In the past, computer viruses and other malicious programs were believed to be written by gifted, but disenchanted, young programmers in order to disrupt and disparage popular operating systems. Increasingly, computer malware is being written for profit, rather than for just for fun or a challenge. With the growth of Internet use and product proliferation, companies with vested interests in obtaining personal information like Internet history and purchasing habits hire programmers to write spyware programs. With this information, companies can streamline and direct advertising and marketing campaigns to maximize their impact.
Programmers who have gone over to the dark side and write malware programs, whether for profit or not, are referred to as black hat hackers, in contrast with white hat hackers, gifted programmers who continue to work for good, strengthening security software and working against malware development.
Spyware programs vary in their operations and intentions. Some are interested in gathering user names and passwords and do so by recording the user’s typing patterns with a keylogging program. Keylogging is used to gather vast amounts of sensitive personal information including credit card information, social security numbers, contact addresses and birth dates, virtually anything that you enter on to your computer!
In addition to keyloggers, other common types of spyware include: browser tools like ActiveX or malicious toolbars, devices that give others remote control of your computer such as rootkits and bots, and adware (advertising malware).
As well as spying and collecting user information, Spyware programs can also interfere with normal use of your computer by taking over control of your browser and directing you to websites that load more spyware and other malware programs. Hijacking your computer is both irritating and damaging as destructive viruses can get on your system, causing serious file corruption. Spyware or virus infections also slow down processing time, take up RAM and disk memory space and generally diminish the computer’s operations. Scanning tools, such as XoftSpySE Anti-Spyware software, check the entire system for corrupt files, check the processes running and those stored on your registry to seek out any aberrant programs. It is important to maintain a healthy security program and keep your definitions up to date by periodically checking the manufacturer’s website for updates and patches.
Kate Dubensky | July 29th, 2008
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