Charter Business® Desktop Security
Spyware, adware, greyware, riskware – what's the difference?
One of the more widespread problems in today's online world is spyware - something
that affects both consumers and enterprises. Industry analysts suggest that up to
60 percent of computers may be infected with one type of adware, greyware or spyware
meaning that the problem is particularly widespread. This article aims to clarify
for the reader the difference and illustrate with examples.
Defining spyware
Spyware can be classified as a malicious kind of software that intercepts or takes
partial control of a computer's operation without the user's informed consent usually
for commercial gain. Spyware usually enters a computer through deception of the
user or through exploitation of software vulnerabilities. Broadly speaking it is
software that subverts the computer's operation for the commercial benefit of a
third party. Unlike viruses, it does not usually self-replicate.
Riskware
"Riskware" describes programs that are legitimate in themselves, but which have
the potential for misuse by cyber criminals: for example, remote administration
utilities. Such programs have a much higher profile thanks to such cases as Sony
BMG's much-publicized XCP-system where rootkits were installed via a large number
of Sony BMG music CDs unbeknownst to the buyers in an attempt by the company to
enforce its copy control policies. Quite apart from the fact that users were effectively
being spied upon through a legally purchased CD, the inherent risk created by this
action was the possible backdoor it opened for viruses (or any other malicious program)
to use the rootkit to hide themselves on the machine in question.
Adware
There are different types of adware – the legal type where users consent to its
presence in their computer to allow advertising companies to gather legitimate market
data and the illegal type where they do not. In between is greyware where the program
is tacitly accepted by the user but contains more inclusive and invasive monitoring
of online activity. At the other end, illegal adware enters a user's computer with
or without consent, hijacks the browser and starts directing traffic to certain
sites or initiating pop-up windows, all of which use up system resources.
New developments – rogue antispyware
Recently, spyware has also come to include "rogue antispyware" - bogus programs
that present themselves as security software. In these instances, a TROJAN or website
uses a false and misleading advertisement to trick a user into installing such a
program. Typically, the program offers to scan the computer for spyware for free,
but removal requires it to be purchased. Detections are often false and the removal
of the so-called spyware isn't necessary. Despite their appearances, such programs
function rather poorly and have no company behind them. As a result, users are left
with spyware on their computer that will continue to leave them vulnerable to other
malware attacks with no guarantee of future service.
The results of spyware
The typical tactics of spyware infecting a computer is to include delivery of unsolicited
pop-up advertisements without user intervention in the least problematic cases to
theft of for instance credit card details for consumers or intellectual property
from companies in its worst instance. In all instances, spyware is almost always
an unwanted parasite on your computer and the more you have, the more unwell the
computer will be. For badly infected systems, a complete reinstall may be required
to restore the system to working order. This is a time-consuming project even for
experienced users and does not discount the possibility of lost data as well as
accompanying financial and intellectual property theft.
What you can do to stop spyware
The majority of spyware exists as a direct failure of ordinary users to think critically
when installing software. Clicking on agreements indiscriminately may lead to spyware
entering your machine with your consent. Think twice before you click and don't
forget to read the small print! Installing a web browser other than Microsoft's
Internet Explorer (IE), for instance, Opera, Firefox or Netscape is also a good
practice. Until now, Internet Explorer has offered an easy route for spyware to
enter a computer because of its deep integration with the Windows environment and
its scriptability. Internet Explorer is also a point of attachment for spyware in
the form of Browser Helper Objects (BHO), which modify the browser's behavior to
add toolbars, redirect traffic or monitor browser usage to display a targeted advertisement.
Good user practices aside, the obvious first line of defense are programs designed
to remove or to block spyware. As is the case with antivirus software, antispyware
programs require a frequently updated database of threats. As new spyware programs
emerge, antispyware developers intercept them and make signatures, which enable
the software to detect and remove the offending program. In the case of the Charter
Business® Desktop Security products, the most frequent updates in
the industry ensure that the average user enjoys a high level of coverage against
the threats posed by spyware.
To learn more, call 888.692.8635 or visit
Charter Business Desktop Security.