Everything You Need To Know About Spyware and Malware

You are at your computer, checking out software on ebay. The computer is really sluggish, and you are not running anything else. You click on a link, and BLAM you are redirected to a search page you've never heard of and the "back" button won't work.

You've got Spyware! Just what is "Spyware?" The word brings to mind exploding pens and shoe phones. In fact, software makers have struggled to define what spyware is, and is not.

The Anti-Spyware Coalition, a group of companies that include EarthLink, Microsoft, and Hewlett-Packard, have recently published a document that defines spyware as such: "Spyware impairs users control over material changes that affect their user experience, privacy or system security; use of their system resources, including what programs are installed on their computers; or collection, use and distribution of their personal or otherwise sensitive information"

In simpler terms, spyware "spies" the software on your computer, personal information, what web pages you look at, and in some cases, usernames and passwords. Ugh.

The first spyware distribution was in 1999, and is attributed to a popular freeware program called "Elf Bowling." Many users found to their dismay that this "harmless game," was sending information to the creators, Nsoft. This spawned the first anti-spyware program in the year 2000.

Now, both spyware and anti-spyware programs are too numerous to count.

There are several types of software that fall under the generic description of spyware. Let's look at a few, and what they do.

Adware - adware is an application that displays advertising banners. The reason this is criticized is that it can send information back to the company, who then "targets" you with specific banners based on the web pages you've opened. This is different from clicking on a banner for more information. This program sneaks in the "back door," not "advertising" its presence. Please note that the word "AdWare" is a trademark of AdWare Systems, an honest software company. They are not a part of adware, just share the unfortunate name.

Key loggers are just that. They collect the keystrokes you make, like logging into your bank account, and send it to the hacker. Now he has your account number, user name, and password.

Hijackers and Toolbars are another form of spyware. Hijackers take over your browser, opening pages you don't want, and preventing you from opening ones you need - like a site that tells you how to get rid of them. Toolbars are the same sort of thing. Now, you may want to have a toolbar like Yahoo or Google on your browser. They can make searches easier, and may have popup or ad blockers. The malware forms of these try to look like them, but they have completely different motives.

Malware is a generic term for "malicious" software. These programs don't just collect information; they are out to get your computer. Technically, these are not spyware, but a brief explanation seems to be in order. Malware spreads itself through the computer, changing files, making copies to send, even erasing the hard drive. Virus' and worms are a part of this group.

Other malware programs are "Trojan Horse, or Backdoor." These hide quietly in your computer until you connect to the internet. Then they creep around your browser, "reporting in" to the owner, who then uses your computer "address" to send out virus's, malware, and spam. Some hackers link several