Spyware and Adware Information
Spyware & Adware FAQ and Solution Page
Download Spybot Search & Destroy to remove spyware now!
What is Spyware?
Spyware is generally defined as software that collects demographic and usage information from your computer, usually for advertising purposes. The term is also used to describe software that sneaks onto the system or performs other activities hidden to the user. Spyware applications are usually bundled as a hidden component in "freeware" and "shareware" applications downloaded from the Internet (i.e.: peer-to-peer file sharing products, among others)--a spyware module may be active on your computer without your knowledge.
What is Adware?
Adware is software that uses your Internet connection to download ads and place them into your browser or pop-up windows. Like spyware, adware applications have been known to secretly snoop around areas of your computer they don't belong, including your browser history, and transmit that information back to their authors. As a result, Adware programs have the potential to do even more by actively interrupting web browsing.
What sort of information does Spyware/Adware collect?
Spyware/adware are usually independent, executable programs, with the capability to monitor various aspects of your behavior. Depending on the complexity of the program and your security settings, they can log keystrokes, scan files on your hard drive, snoop other applications such as word-processors and chat programs, read your cookies or browser history, and change your default homepage. The information obtained can be used for marketing purposes or sold to other companies for a profit. Spyware/adware can spy on any aspect of your computer use, and is not limited in the ways web sites are when it comes to gathering personal data. While a web site can gather limited demographic and statistical data automatically provided by the web browser and Internet protocols, and read cookies set by its own domain, spyware can "see" and disclose any data on, entering or exiting your computer.
How does Spyware/Adware affect the performance and security of my workstation?
Since a spyware program is an independent executable program residing on your PC, it will have all the privileges of the user that installed it. Any process (even those running in the background) will take up valueble system resources and the performance of a computer system can be seriously affected if several spyware applications are running at the same time. As the programs become more sophisticated, the line between virus and Spyware/Adware becomes blurry. Both are parasitic in nature, and now many virus writers create spyware virus programs that infect multiple computers and transmit the demographics of an entire work group.
How can I minimize the risk of Spyware/Adware?
Here are a few tips to minimize the risk of Spyware/Adware when browsing the web.
- Patch and update Windows Operating System and Internet Explorer vulnerabilities via regular use of Microsoft.s Windows Update. Visit the NTS Enterprise System Update Server for updates and notifications.
- Keep anti-virus software definitions current. Check NTS Anti-Virus Page for news, alerts, and updates.
- Some Spyware/Adware requires users to initiate a download and installation. That in mind, do not download "free" games, "download assistants", or other software from the Internet. Likewise, try not to click on pop-up ads. Use the red "X" at the top right corner of the browser window to close the popup.
- Delete without opening e-mails that offer a gift card for taking a survey or other "Special Offers".
I think I may have some form of Spyware/Adware on my computer. How do I remove it?
Spyware/Adware programs often make subtle adjustments to file systems and registry in order to cover their tracks and, more importantly, make removal as difficult and cumbersome as possible. As a result, several inrepid groups have written special anti-spyware programs that make the removal process automatic, similar in many ways to how modern antivirus software functions. Users download and run cleanup files that scan the system for spyware components and disable/remove them. These tools also have the capability of protecting you from future intrusions. SpyBot Search & Destroy is free, and has been tested by Desktop Computing Services and recommended for functionality and ease-of-use.
- Spybot Search & Destroy - This link takes you to C/Net's download mirror site.
I want to know more!
There are several websites with more information on just what Spyware is, how it works and what you can do to protect yourself.
Here are some alternative tools for scanning and removal of spyware.
AdAware - Software
from Lavasoft, anti-spyware pioneers
Pest Patrol - "A comprehensive resource of information about about spyware, adware, Trojan horse programs, and other non-virus malicious software."
©2004 Johns Hopkins Institutions