This guide explains what spyware is and what it does. Spyware has become a massive threat to the privacy of the internet user in recent years. Operating systems aren't able to detect or defend against spyware without an external program. One of a number of 3rd party tools - along with the user's own vigilance - is required to defeat this menace.
What is Spyware?
Spyware gathers information about the contents of, and the activities on, a computer system. This information is transmitted to the producer (or the one who controls the spyware), without the approval or knowledge of the user. The most common type of spyware is adware.
Adware is software which is embedded in other software (or sometimes distributed as a stand-alone program) and gathers and transmits the user's personal data. In return, ad banners are received and displayed on your system. Possible information that leaks out of your PC includes personal data (name, *-*-*, age,...), email addresses, credit card numbers, browser history, system configuration, installed software, hard disk content and passwords.
Another kind of spyware is surveillance software which logs activities on the computer system. The main difference fromadware is that surveillance software runs secretly in the background, no apparent activity is evident. Key loggers, screen scanner, trojans,... are surveillance software, some are realized in hardware (mostly used by law enforcement or intelligence agencies).
Known spyware:
Spyware became a branch of the software industry in recent years. Many specialized firms producing spyware. They pay the software programmers to implement spyware modules into their programs. That's the reason why many shareware and freeware programs are interlaced with spyware, the programmer is able to earn some extra money. What follows is a list of some popular spyware producers and what their products are doing.
Aureate/Radiate
This module can be very easily added to any software product. While using the software, the spy module is active and delivers precise audience targeting. Even without an established internet connection, Aureate/Radiate presents the user with splash screens, dynamic messaging, customized demographic collection and real-time surveys.
Conducent Timesink
Conducent is affiliated with a lot of Internet advertising networks. Their spy module receives ad content from the internet and stores it on the hard disk. During the runtime it presents the user with advertisements, and records what the user does with the ads (clicking them, for example). This information is sent back to Conducent. The spy module (TSadbot.exe) provides no uninstall feature, i.e. even when the carrier software is removed from the system, the spyware runs on.
Cydoor
Once integrated into a program, the Cydoor spy module dynamically loads ad banners from the internet. It presents ad content in offline or online mode. A unique numerical identifier is placed on the computer during the installation, so the PC system can be identified anytime.
Comet Cursor
Comet Cursor is a browser extension (IE and Netscape) and requires enabled ActiveX. It logs cookies, referrer IDs, IP addresses and other system information. When visiting a web site, the click activities of the user are logged and analyzed. Comet analyzes this data to improve the content and performance of that particular web site.
eZula & KaZaa Toptext
KaZaa Toptext is part of the file sharing client KaZaa. Toptext takes full control of the browser and changes the content of the web site (like the SmartTags which were planned for Windows XP). The content of the website is analyzed and certain keywords are highlighted and become a link to the company who paid eZula Inc for changing that keyword.
Flashpoint/Flashtrack
Flashpoint/Flashtrack is relatively unknown spyware. It logs the user's queries to a search engine, analyzes them and creates ad pop-up windows which seem to come from the visited web site, but actually are created by Flashtrack.
Flyswat
Flyswat is a plug-in for Internet Explorer and requires enabled ActiveX. It logs the user's clicks while surfing the internet. The gathered information is given to partners affiliated with Flyswat.
Gator
Gator is a program to log any data which is entered into forms (username, password, address, credit card number, etc.) This data is stored in an encrypted file and is transmitted to Gator over the internet. Gator also replaces dynamically ad banners from other web sites with their own banners.
GoHip
This browser extension reconfigures the Internet Explorer settings (Homepage, AutoSignature, search page, etc.) To every sent message GoHip attaches an advertisement. GoHip appears as Windows Startup in the Start menu.
Hotbar
Hotbar collects information about visited web sites and viewed pages. IP address, domain name, URL, browser information, operating system, cookies are stored with the respective time stamp. Search engine queries are also redirected to Hotbar and stored there. Also stored are the clicked buttons and links, the amount of time spent at a web site and entered form data (username, address, password, credit card numbers, etc.) Hotbar is affiliated with many advertisement networks.
Lop (C2Media)
Lop installs a toolbar and uses cookies to trace the user. C2Media works in cooperation with DoubleClick and the Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) to spy and serve ads.
Mattel BrOdcast
BrOdcast collects and sends information to Mattel and in return sends the user product offers and ads. It's mostly used in Mattel's own software for children.
Morpheus
Another Peer-to-Peer agent. Different spyware agents are included.
Realplayer
The RealMedia Realplayer contains many appropriate spy modules. The removal of the spy functions will result in a non-functioning Realplayer.
Songspy (IMG Entertainment)
Songspy is a music sharing client. The spy module opens TCP port 5190 and gives it full control over the computer system.
Web3000
Web3000 changes the content of visited web sites. The browser window and pop-up windows are used for ads. The users surfing habits are logged. Web3000 replaces winsock32.dll and other Windows system files.
WebHancer
WebHancer gathers information on visited web sites (address, size, loading time, completion state and network delay time). It does traffic, web and performance analysis. WebHancer hides itself in the system. Incorrect removal will destroy the internet connection.
Other...
A lot of other spyware is available (e.g. AdBreak, AdTools Codehammer Message Mates, AdvertBar, Alexa, Back Web, BDE, Brilliant Digital, Blackstone Data Transponder, B3d, Bulla, Bookmark Express, Bonzi Buddi, Cash Bar, Click Till u Win, Click The Button, CnsMin, Common Name, Delfin, DoubleClick , Download Ware (DAP), EverAd , Etraffic - TopMoxie, Expedio Ware, EWA, Favorite Man, Gratisware, homepageware, IEPlugin, KFH, Liveshows Dialer, MarketScore, Message Mates, MediaLoads, nCase, NewDotNet (New.net), NetPal, Netzany, NetSonic, Netsetter , Network Essentials, NowBox, OnFlow , OpenMe, Porn Dialer, SaveNow, Search-Explorer, Surf+, TPS108, TopMoxie, Transponder, Twisted Humor, UCmore, Vegas Palms Casino, wbeCheck, WNAD, WurldMediaBHO, ZapSpot,...) and some programs which have their own proprietary spy modules.

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