A new generation of malware has emerged that spy on you, steal information, take actions with programs, divert connections, follow up actions carried out by users, etc. In order to fight against these, you must know what they are and what they do.
SpywareSpyware are computer applications that collect information about users browsing activity, preferences and interests. The data collected is sent to the creator of the application or third-parties, either directly or after being stored on the computer.
Spyware can be installed on computers in many different ways, including Trojan which install them without the users permission; when visiting web pages with certain ActiveX controls or code that exploits certain vulnerabilities; shareware or freeware applications downloaded from the Internet, etc.
Spyware can be installed with the user consent and awareness, but sometimes it is not. The same happens with the knowledge or lack of knowledge regarding data collected and the way it is used.
Adware is a term used to refer to Advertising Software, i.e., programs that display advertisements.
Adware refers to software that displays advertisements using any means: pop-up windows, banners, changes to the browser home page or search page, etc. These advertisements can be associated to the products or services offered by the creator of the adware or third-parties.
Adware can be installed with the user consent and awareness, but sometimes it is not. The same happens with the knowledge or lack o knowledge regarding its functionalities.
This is a program that can, without users' knowing, disconnect the telephone connection to the Internet and redial another one such as a premium-rate number, with the obvious consequences on the user's telephone bill.
Cookies are small text files stored in the browser on the users' computer, when visiting web pages.
Cookies store information that can be used for several purposes:
- To personalize web pages to the preferences of each user.
- To gather demographic information about how many users visit the page and how long they spend viewing it.
- To monitor which banners are displayed to the user and for how long.
The uses are not, in theory at least, malicious.
However, remember that all personal information entered on a web page can be stored on cookie, including credit card numbers, etc.
Cookies can also be used to create user profiles with information that the user is unaware of, and sent to third parties. This information is transmitted to third parties, such as advertisers or others who could be interested in this sort of data, and represents a serious intrusion upon the individual's privacy.