The general term "Malware" and/or "Spyware" is often used to describe spyware, adware and malware and is defined as "any software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge or attempts to capture control of the system for use other than intended by the authorized user."
Malware behavior includes
Gather non-personal information such as Internet Activity in order to sell information to marketing firms.
Attempt partial or complete capture of control of the infected system for various purposes including sending large volumes of spam email and/or creating large "bot" networks made up of thousands of infected computer systems.
Steal personal information
Redirection of web traffic
Changes the computer systems configuration settings reducing the security of the operating system.
May install secondary infections such as Trojan viruses.
May install keystroke loggers that record all keystrokes and email collected data to a specific location
Adware:
A form of malware that collects information about the user in order to display advertisements in the Web browser based on the information it collects from the user's browsing patterns.
Software with advertisements already embedded in the application or that pull ads from the Internet and display them on the infected computer.
Spyware:
Software that takes partial or total control over browser programs.
Gathers information from the infected computer without the users knowledge.
Reduces Security settings and may install "Trojans" allowing hackers to take control of the system.
Symptoms of a Malware infection on your system:
A reduction in your computer's performance (Malware occupies computer memory resources and may consume bandwidth as it sends information back to the malware home server.)
An un authorized change to the default home page on the Web browser.
An occurrence of, or an increase in popup windows.
Error messages that prompt you to download a program for cleaning infections.
Program or system crashes
Windows XP and Vista Users
Microsoft currently has a free Anti-Malware tool download available for Windows XP and is preinstalled in the new Windows Vista operating system.
Microsoft Windows Defender Download
NOTE: In order to download and install the Windows Defender program you will have the validate the authenticity of your windows installation.
The best thing to do is not to download Malware in the first place!
When downloading freeware, you should check it first to see if it may be Malware. The link below will take you to the "spychecker" web site where you can search a program name to see if the program has been found to contain spyware.
There are several programs available that scan your computer for "spyware" and remove it. Cybertex recommends "Spybot Search and Destroy" and "AdAware". Both programs are free and can be downloaded from the link listed below.
Windows XP and Vista Users
Microsoft currently has a free Anti-Malware tool download available for Windows XP and is preinstalled in the new Windows Vista operating system.
Microsoft Windows Defender Download
NOTE: In order to download and install the Windows Defender program you will have the validate the authenticity of your windows installation.
webmaster@cybertex.ca
Copyright © 1999 [Cybertex Computer Services]. All rights reserved.
Revised: March 05, 2008