In the age of computers, the internet is used for linking people together. However, the internet also hosts some dangers to computer systems. Generally known as ‘malware’ – these dangers are programs that usually install themselves on a victim’s computer without their knowledge.
What is spyware? Sometimes called ‘adware’ and related to viruses and worms, the term ‘spyware’ is used meaning a program that tracks information about the user without the user knowing it. One of the most prevalent types of information tracking is the websites that a user visits. The makers of spyware programs that do this then make money off of the advertisements that pop up, some of them pornographic in nature. Some programs can even affect web browsers, directing revenue from actual, legitimate advertisements found on websites to the spyware maker.
Some programs can take it further, costing the victims themselves money, both directly and indirectly. The indirect costs are usually associated with computer repairs. Since most victims are unaware that they have been infected, when malware begins to affect the performance of a computer system, an infected user can be stuck paying hundreds in diagnostic and repair costs. Even if a victim knows that spyware has been installed on their system, they could still be forced to pay for anti-spyware software if they did not already own one.
The indirect costs can be much greater. Because spyware programs track information on the victims that have been infected, identity theft is a very real threat. In a given day a computer user not only enters user names and passwords on their system, they can also enter sensitive information such as their social security number or bank account and credit card information. Also, a growing number of programs have begun infecting victims’ computers that then advertise themselves as anti-spyware software, claiming viruses and spyware programs have taken root in the computer and offering to remove them for a fee. In reality, these false removal tools are usually the only infections on the computer, but they seek to scare victims into paying money to remove their own program, as well as giving up their payment information. Unfortunately, most spyware programs like this, usually dubbed ‘scareware’ for the reaction they seek to invoke, make operating the system normally impossible. Some programs force Internet Explorer to use a proxy server, denying internet access. Most programs affect the system registry, making it impossible to open any other programs except in Safe Mode, including legitimate anti-spyware software, claiming the legitimate ones are actually infected.
Because of the dangers posed by spyware, it is not recommended to browse the internet without up to date anti-spyware protection, though users should take care to make sure that their software comes from a credible source.
