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Crash Course: Spyware

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LearnIT: Get up to speed quickly

>>	From the editor: What is spyware?
>>	Expert Technical Advice: What does spywaredo?
>>	Best Web Links: What can you do toprevent spyware?
>>	Product Reviews: Cleaning up spyware

From the Editor:

by Margaret Rouse, Site Editor

In general, spyware is any technology that aids in gatheringinformation about a person or organization without their knowledge. Internetadvertising (adware) has been criticized for occasionally includingcode that tracks a user's personal information and passes it on tothird parties without the user's authorization or knowledge. Thispractice has been dubbed spyware and has prompted an outcryfrom computer security and privacy advocates, including the Electronic Privacy Information Center.

Notedprivacy software expert Steve Gibson of Gibson Research explains:"Spyware is any software (that) employs a user's Internet connection inthe background (the so-called 'backchannel') without their knowledge orexplicit permission. Silent background use of an Internet 'backchannel'connection must be preceded by a complete and truthful disclosure ofproposed backchannel usage, followed by the receipt of explicit,informed consent for such use. Any software communicating across theInternet absent of these elements is guilty of information theft and isproperly and rightfully termed: Spyware."

Read our complete definition ofspyware

Relatedwhite papers:

Aboutspyware

Thedangers of spyware

APestPatrol Management White Paper

Expert Advice: What does spyware do?

Robert Vibert
Anti-Malware Solution Architect, Segura Solutions Inc.

Whatdoes spyware do?
Dear Robert,
I'veread that spyware can get in a computer as a software virus or as theresult of installing a new program. Can spyware actually take over yourcomputer and access other Web sites?
ReadRobert's answer

Removing spyware
Dear Robert,
My Web browser automatically attempts to access a certain Web siteabout once every hour. I assume that somehow I picked up some maliciousspyware in my system. How can I get rid of it?
Read Robert'sreply

Do you have a question about spyware? Askour expert!

Best Web Links: What can you do to preventspyware?

Thespy(ware) who shagged me
Brent Sheets recommends some free spyware removalapplications, but cautions the reader backup first. (SearchWin2000.com)

YourPC is under attack
Evan Hansen and John Borland explain how "a lot can be done legally toyour computer and personal information." They also offer advice abouthow you can educate yourself to lessen the chance you'll be spied uponunwittingly. (CNET News.com)

DefendingAgainst Spyware Invasion
Brian J. Smith examines Kazaa to shed a light on different techniquessoftware developers use to distribute spyware. (SANS GSEC Practical)

Protectingyour network from spyware
This tip, excerpted from InformIT,gives you some ideas on how you can prevent spyware from infecting yournetwork. (SearchSecurity.com)

Is it free oris it spyware?
SpyChecker has a large public database that allows you to check and seeif the program you want to download contains spyware. (SpyChecker.com)

Just howrampant is spyware?
PC Magazine invited readers to participate in a spyware experiment aspart of their in-depth look at "Spyware: It's Lurking on Your Machine."(PCMag.com)

Product reviews: Cleaning up spyware

Anti-spyware productreviews (tucows)

Spyware removers (PC Magazine)

How to removespyware (PC Hell)

Removing Gator (TechTV)

LAST UPDATED:

10 Jul 2006

Read more about Crash Course: Spyware:

-	"Learn IT: Viruses & other Malware - Detection, Prevention, and Cure" has more information about spyware.

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.
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