Spyware. By: Katheryn L. Gaston

Overview What is Spyware? Cons? Why is it called Spyware? What programs contain it? Are adware and spyware the same? What are Cookies? How do I protect my Computer? During my presentation I would like to answer questions you may have like What is Spyware, What are the bad things about it, Why is it called Spyware, What programs should I look out for, What are Adware and cookies and do they have anything to do with Spyware, and how do I protect my computer?

What Is It? Uses a person’s internet connection Doesn’t ask for permission Usually hidden in other software Collects demographic information, and browsing history Advertising Purposes Spyware is any type of software that employs your internet connection and watches your browsing history without your previous disclosure. It’s typically a program you install yourself without being aware that there is any type of spyware or malware attached. By installing these programs, companies can look at the information that is collected about your browsing history and therefore know what is popular among their targeted audience. Spyware is really helpful for businesses because it can tell them how much they’re selling and what is selling the most. What Is It?

What’s Bad About It? Privacy & Security concerns Instability Slowness Long ad-loading Hidden Communications = Costly With all of this information, it’s tough to see the downsides to Spyware. However, there are a few. Besides the possible privacy concerns, the resource hogging spyware could cause instability and slowness to your browser. Also, for people who use dial-up internet, spyware can make the pages load slower and hidden communication with severs more costly overall.

Spyware, is called spyware because even though the privacy policies on the site inhibit the software to share your personal information, it’s still continuously sharing the information stored on your computer about your web-surfing habits with their businesses. These spyware programs can come attached to another software program that you installed or sometimes the tracking software is hidden in the ads at the top of your screen.

Some of the types of programs with Spyware installed are Zango, Bonzi Buddy, Dope Wars, Printable-Greetings computer program, WildTangent, and WeatherBug. And in 1999, a hit freeware game came out called “Elf Bowling” which was full of tracking software. These programs release the spyware onto your computer without any notice, however over time you’ll notice your computer showing signs of slowing.

Spyware and Adware ADWARE IS DIFFERENT THAN SPYWARE. Adware doesn’t transmit your information. Be more careful when searching for downloads. Spyware is one of the names for Advertising Supported Software, or Adware. However, adware isn’t necessarily spyware. Adware is a less threatening sort of program, like spyware, but does not transmit personal information. Instead, aggregated usage information is collected, and sent somewhere on the internet. Registered shareware that doesn’t have any ads may be Spyware. But, purchased out-of-the-box software could contain adware and also be spyware. So generally, users need to be more aware of spyware when shopping for programs that are going to be downloaded on your computer. People also need to be aware when searching the internet. Because there have been so many “drive-by download” incidents lately, McAfee (which is an internet security company), has marked certain sites as “potentially unwanted programs”

Cookies are a mechanism used by your internet to store information. Sites store your cookies with your information. You can remove them! Spyware uses cookies to help their process along, Cookies are a mechanism used by your internet to store information. If a website uses a cookie to store information about you that you don’t know about...it could be considered some type of spyware. However, some anti-spyware programs offer programs to remove the cookies. Cookies

SpyBot Search and Destroy Windows Defender SpyBot Search and Destroy If you happen to get a spyware program downloaded onto your computer, there are ways to get rid of it and also protect your computer from later attacks. Remember when shopping that not ALL anti-virus software programs block spyware, a few of the most popular and successful spyware programs are Windows Defender, Spybot Search and Destroy, Ad-Aware, and Spyware Blaster. These programs can be purchased at most stores that sell electronics. Spyware Blaster Ad-Aware

The Reality It can be helpful!! You can use Spyware Download a Spyware Protection Program Watch out for pop-ups, and risks Use it wisely In reality, a lot of people are using programs that contain spyware and could care less. Some spyware programs are some of the most popularly used programs. Real spyware, although it shares some information, can actually be helpful! There are many PC Surveillance tools that a user would install on their own computer that would “allow a user to monitor all kinds of activity on a computer, ranging from snapshots, saving of emails, chat logs, and just about everything else.…and these programs, if used wrongly could cause problems. The main reason that people are worried is because of the risk of the programs finding and storing very personal information.

In conclusion, Spyware is a potentially harmful software program that can be installed on your computer without your knowledge, and without the right protection and care, your computer can get slower, laggy, and it can also get some pretty tricky viruses. To wrap it up, protect your computer and you’ll have nothing to worry about with Spyware! CONCLUSION

Bibliography http://www.safer- networking.org/en/dictionary/spyware.html http://cexx.org/problem.htm http://www.accs-net.com/smallfish/advw.htm http://www.spychecker.com/spyware.html http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definitio n/spyware