How does Spyware Work

Spyware is a commonly found malicious software, which is clandestinely installed on a personal computer, in order to collect personal information about the users without their consent. This malware is most often downloaded on the system when the users surf the Internet or download software or some files. Some commonly encountered spyware include Trymedia, Hotbar and Estalive.

How does Spyware Work

A spyware usually affects the machine due to the user's activity. These activities include -

• Clicking a tab on the pop-up window.
• Installation of a particular software package.
• Approving to add functionality to the browser.

Spyware are most often installed in the computer by trickery. For instance, a fake system alert may feature a tab called 'cancel' to deny request, but when you click on this 'cancel' tab, the spyware automatically gets installed on your machine. Some common ways in which a spyware can get installed in your computer are -

Piggybacked Software Installation: Sometimes spyware is installed as a part of the standard installation procedure of some applications. One such example is peer-to-peer file sharing. Though the spyware is enlisted in the installation list, the user doesn't take a note of it, mainly due to lack of attention. This is mostly the case in free versions, which are advertised as an alternative to the software you want to purchase.

Drive-by Download: In this case, the website or the pop-up window itself downloads and installs the spyware in your machine. Only if you have proper security settings on your end, the browser will display a message stating the name of the software to be downloaded, which may be malicious.

Browser Add-ons: These software are meant to add enhancements, such as a tool bar or animated pets, to your browser. While downloading such add-ons, invariably some spyware elements are also installed in the system. In some cases, the add-ons themselves can be spyware in disguise. Such add-ons are referred to as browser hijackers.

Posing as an Anti-spyware: This is one of the most wicked way in which a spyware can get installed on your computer. The software convincingly portrays itself as an anti-spyware, meant to detect and remove spyware, while installing additional spyware in the system. When you run the application, it will show that the computer is clean, and hence it's difficult to find and remove such software.

The functions of a spyware ranges from secret monitoring to altering computer settings. While some spyware are programmed to collect the personal information of a user, such as surfing habits, some are programmed to interfere with the user controls of the system either by installing some software or redirecting web browser activities. A computer infected by a spyware can experience slow connection speed, loss of Internet or adverse functioning of various programs. It can run in the background as an application, and encroach RAM space, thus making the machine slow. Some spyware can take control of you search engine, and alter the results that are generated, thus making the web search useless. More importantly, it can record the information that you feed onto the computer, including your passwords and other vital information.

There are several applications available in the market which can effectively remove spyware. These anti-spyware protection applications can detect and remove these malicious software, thus cleaning your computer. But, in first place, preventing these spyware from corrupting your systems is much more viable than detecting and removing them. Some precautions you can take to avoid the spyware tragedy are -

• Disabling Active-X on the browser helps a great deal as most of the spyware applications use this code to infest the system.
• Avoid downloading if you are suspicious about the site or the components to be downloaded, unless it's absolutely necessary.
• Instead of using the 'No thanks' tab on the pop-ups, use 'X' at the right hand corner to close it.

Today, spyware has become the most prominent computer security problem for Internet users across the globe, so much so that spyware infection is considered to be a bigger threat than virus infections. Taking some simple precautions can ensure that your personal computer is safe from the malicious world of spyware.