It sounds like science fiction, but criminals can secretly install software on your computer to steal your identity and do other mischief.
Learn what spyware is, how to tell if you computer is already affected by it, and how to avoid it or get rid of it.
What is Spyware?
Spyware is one of those terms that is self-explanatory, although it can take many forms. Generally speaking, it is software that installs on your computer by stealth, subterfuge and/or social engineering and sends information from that computer to a third party without your permission or knowledge. Spyware includes keyloggers, backdoor trojans, password stealers and botnet worms, to name a few.
Information on Spyware Types
- What Types of Spyware are Out There? – TopTen Reviews
- Keyloggers: How They Work and How to Detect Them - Viruslist.com
- What is a Backdoor Trojan? – Geeks to Go
- What is a Botnet? – SearchSecurity.com
Removing Spyware
Anti-spyware is #3 of our top ten keys to computer security. Click here for information on anti-spyware.
UA Presentations
- SPY ANOTHER DAY: Botnets and Spyware (Video presentation) (PowerPoint presentation)
Resources
- Spyware - Microsoft
- Spyware Consumer Alert - FTC
- Spyware Quick Facts by OnGuardOnline.gov
- Spyware - UA OSCR
- Recognizing and Avoiding Spyware - US CERT
- Botnets and Hackers and Spam (Oh, My!) - FTC
- Spyware – FTC
- Spyware Guide EULA Analyzer - FaceTime Security Labs
- EULAlyzer - Javacool Software
