1. Spyware: Technical Overview
Jody Blanke
Mercer University
ALSB, Ottawa
August 21, 2004

2. What is Spyware?
FTC definition – “software that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge and which may send such information to another entity without the consumer’s consent, or asserts control over a computer without the consumer’s knowledge”
Spyware
Adware
Hijacker
Trojan
Keystroke logger
Browser helper object (BHO)

3. How do you get it?
“Trojan horse” - bundled as part of other software package
Kazaa (12 different spyware programs; at least two with every version)
ClockSync (WhenU)
Precision Time (Gator)
“Drive-by download” – HTML code transmitted by browser when visiting a web site request installation of program
One spyware program helps install another; self-updating
or links that, when opened, initiate transfer of code

4. How do you get rid of it? Be careful what you download
Be careful what you consent to
Install Spybot Search & Destroy
Install SpywareBlaster
Install Ad-Aware
Install Google Toolbar
Visit PestPatrol Research

5. Google Toolbar