Security Basics mailing list archives
RE: Adware, spyware, and trojans
From: "Garbrecht, Frederick" <FGarbrecht () ecogchair org>
Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2002 13:18:31 -0500
Courtney, You have a misconception about what spyware is. In contrast to software which logs keystrokes, etc. (which would be classified as keylogging software), spyware is software that is designed to return information about your websurfing habits to a central server somewhere. Spyware is often packaged with some other piece of software, ofter 'freeware' or shareware, and its installation is often (but not always) disclosed in the license agreement that comes with the primary software. The usual purveyors of spyware are marketing firms who want to collect information about websurfing habits and online purchase behavior. None of the spyware that I am aware of actually performs any type of keylogging activity per se, but there are clear and significant privacy issues associated with it, and in some cases, the spyware application(s) have been associated with instability of the underlying OS. In addition, they can really clog up your LAN bandwidth. The best known spyware removal software is called 'Ad-aware' from Lavasoft (you should be able to google for them). The software is free, and they also provide a free updating utility to make sure you have the most recent spyware signature files. Fred -----Original Message----- From: Carere, Courtney [mailto:CCarere () rich com] Sent: Friday, December 06, 2002 11:49 AM To: 'security-basics () securityfocus com' Subject: Adware, spyware, and trojans -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Upon reading "The Art of Deception" by Kevin Mitnick yesterday (an excellent book, by the way), he writes that most antivirus software does not detect spyware, which was a shock to me. Spyware seems to be defined as software that logs keystrokes, screenshots, user actions, etc. I have a couple of questions: 1. What's the distinction between spyware, adware, and trojan software? (My antivirus software says it protects against Trojans, and I've seen programs like SubSeven in its log files.) 2. Is there any good software that detects and removes spyware, ideally controlled and updated continuously from a central server? Thanks! - - Courtney Carere -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP 7.0.4 iQA/AwUBPfDTHHcM/5zG0KHEEQIcrACg73VSeTkX/ecvtX+HOWnFNCVNsUUAoMqs n4t8pKXIbtMIQaMiwRhLW/gN =4uWy -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
Current thread:
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans, (continued)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Shanon (Dec 09)
- RE: Adware, spyware, and trojans John Hendren (Dec 06)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Stokes Andy (Dec 06)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Emily Eileen Witcher (Dec 09)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans aanet (Dec 09)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Jay Stapleton (Dec 09)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Earl Heather (Dec 10)
- RE: Adware, spyware, and trojans Kruger, David, 1stLt, AFPCA/IAN (Dec 06)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Gene (Dec 09)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Chris Berry (Dec 06)
- RE: Adware, spyware, and trojans Garbrecht, Frederick (Dec 06)
- RE: Adware, spyware, and trojans Carere, Courtney (Dec 06)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Gene (Dec 09)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Paul (Dec 06)
- RE: Adware, spyware, and trojans Mike Cole (Dec 06)
- RE: Adware, spyware, and trojans Peter Mueller (Dec 06)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans KoRe MeLtDoWn (Dec 06)
- RE: Adware, spyware, and trojans Bruce.Orcutt (Dec 09)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Mr Babak Memari (Dec 09)
- re: Adware, spyware, and trojans H C (Dec 09)
- SV: Adware, spyware, and trojans Edlund, Linnea (Dec 09)
(Thread continues...)