Spyware is a term used to describe software that is designed to advertise other software products, collect personal information, track the user’s browsing habits (and thereafter target ads to the user without his/ her explicit consent) or change the configuration of the computer it is run on (for the worse, needless to add). Since it is written by unscrupulous people to play mischief on the system it is run on - without the express consent of the user, the term Spyware has been used to describe this category of nuisanceware.

Other terms used for this category of nuisanceware are Adware and Malware. Adware operates by showing you advertisements, either when you run the Spyware-containing program, or randomly. On the other hand, Malware operates silently, in the background, as you work on your machine… Malware too collects and sends out personal information secretly, by means of various techniques.

Spyware has quickly moved from being merely a nuisance to one of the most dangerous forms of theft of personal and confidential information. Spyware, along with Viruses, form the most dangerous threat to your machine, today.

What is the difference between Viruses and Spyware? Do I need different solutions to tackle them?

Viruses were the first man-made pests to affect the world of computing. They first appeared in the mid 1980s. Spyware is a much more recent phenomenon, having appeared on the scene in the late 1990s. Viruses and Spyware are similar in many respects, yet quite different in others. Hence, they are considered as different threats, by Computer professionals. Let us look at the similarities first:

Similarities between Viruses and Spyware:

Both Viruses and Spyware are created by malicious persons/ organizations. Both are software code that, when run on a Computer, cause the Computer to behave unexpectedly
You need to guard your computer (and yourself) constantly against both varieties of threats
Both Viruses and Spyware slow down your Computer. Sometimes, making them so slow, that you could tear your hair out in frustration!
While Viruses are generally easier to create - schoolkids have been known to create viruses, creating Spyware requires more skills
Both Viruses and Spyware are harmful. You could get involved in lengthy legal hassles (depending on the Cyber Laws of your country), if your Computer is affected by Viruses or Spyware, even if you are completely innocent!
Both Viruses and Spyware have quite effective antidotes (solutions). You MUST purchase these solutions - DO NOT pirate these! Again, purchasing and installing them alone isn't sufficient; you must update them as and when the vendors of your Antivirus and AntiSpyware solutions release updates and/ or patches. If you do not update them regularly, your Computer will be susceptible to all Viruses and Spyware that are released since the date of your last update!

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Differences between Viruses and Spyware: Method of distribution and infection

Viruses: Today, Viruses are mostly transmitted over e-Mail. One common method is to send them as e-Mail attachments - if you open them, the malicious code gets deployed on your Computer. The other common method is to send you links in your e-Mail: if you click on the link, you are taken to a website that affects your Computer.

Spyware: On the other hand, Spyware is rarely distributed as e-Mail attachments. More common methods of distributing Spyware are as links in e-Mail you receive, as well as through Junk Software Programs. These junk software promise wonderful things, however, in reality, they are merely a ruse to get you to download their spyware! Therefore, if you are in the habit of downloading software programs from various kinds of sites, you are a prime candidate for Spyware!

Differences between Viruses and Spyware: Types of damage caused

Viruses: Typically, Viruses send out thousands of e-Mail over your Internet connection, using the tiny SMTP (mail-sending) engines built into them. They pick up e-Mail addresses randomly from your e-Mail client (Outlook/ Outlook Express/ Eudora. etc.) and shoot off a randomly-worded mail. This slows down your Computer and may even cause your e-Mail service provider to suspend your e-Mail domain! Other types of Virus actions include deleting one or all files on your Hard Disk, repeatedly causing your Computer to reboot, etc.

Spyware: Spyware could cause you much more grief, in comparison with Viruses. What would you feel if someone had access to your Bank Account details, Credit Card information and other financial stuff? What if the person used YOUR money for his/ her needs? All this without you suspecting anything at all! Well, this is precisely what some of the more dangerous Spyware do... They ferret out your personal information, plus your address, mobile phone number, e-Mail address and whatever else you may have stored on your Computer. This information is then streamed out to the developers of the Spyware, right under your nose! Spyware rarely cause system slow-downs or crashes as they are not targeted to attack your Computer or your system files - they are targeted to attack YOU by tricking you to part with your sensitive financial information!

Differences between Viruses and Spyware: Types of Solutions

Viruses: Viruses are checked by Antivirus solutions. Some of the most prominent Antivirus solutions are;

Norton Antivirus (http://www.symantec.com/index.jsp)
McAfee Antivirus (http://www.mcafee.com/us)
AVG Antivirus (http://www.grisoft.com)
BitDefender (http://www.bitdefender.com)

Spyware: Spyware are checked by AntiSpyware solutions. Some of the prominent AntiSpyware solutions are;

Norton 360 and Norton Internet Security (http://www.symantec.com/index.jsp)
McAfee Total Protection & Site Advisor Plus (http://www.mcafee.com/us)
AVG Internet Security (http://www.grisoft.com)
SpyBot Search & Destroy (http://www.spybot.com/index2.html)

A few products like Norton 360 offer protection against both Viruses and Spyware. However most solutions developers develop separate solutions for Viruses and Spyware.

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Why do people create Spyware?

Clearly, there are huge pickings in stealing unsuspecting people’s Credit Card, Paypal or Bank account information! Spyware creators target unsuspecting computer users and steal this information, using it to gain access to their funds! Unsuspecting users would know that their money is being used by someone else, only when huge holes appear in their Credit Card statement/ Paypal account/ Bank balance!

What does Spyware do to Computers?

The current crop of Spyware isn’t designed to cripple computers. Their sole purpose is to understand the user’s browsing habits and thereafter, target him/ her with advertisements which are in line with their browsing habits, or steal personal information, with the idea of gaining access to the user’s Credit Card/ Paypal/ Bank account.

How do I know if my computer is affected by Spyware?

Some of the symptoms that your computer (or one of the computers that you are in the habit of using) is compromised is:

Your computer suddenly becomes very slow
Your computer begins to crash often and crashes without any apparent reason
Pop-up advertisements appear - sometimes even after you close your Browser
Your Browser’s Home Page is changed, without your knowledge or consent
Your Browser’s Search Engine is changed without your knowledge or consent
You find new Icons that you did not install, on your Desktop or TaskBar or Browser
You will also start receiving an increased number of e-mail that address you by name, as if the sender knew you personally! That is when Spyware has already collected information about you! This is a sure sign that your computer needs a Spyware check immediately!
Finally (and we pray you never get to see this happen!!) you can be sure your computer is compromised, if there are inexplicable (and usually large) purchases that you have made with your Credit Card, find a large sum of money withdrawn from your Bank account (and you do not having the foggiest idea of having withdrawn/ spent the money!!) or find that your Paypal funds have strangely and suddenly gone down!!

To draw a scary (but perfectly correct) parallel, it is like handing over your Credit Card to someone you do not know at all!

Is there any way of identifying whether a program or download contains Spyware?

Unfortunately, it is impossible to say whether a program you have purchased from a store or downloaded from the Internet contains Spyware.

Is the problem of Spyware getting better or worse?

This is an easy one: the problem of Spyware is getting worse, with more Spyware doing the rounds, using more difficult-to-detect technologies as well.

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Are there any common techniques that Spyware use to infiltrate Computers?

Certainly. The most common method adopted by Spyware creators is to covertly have their hideous creations install themselves on your computer, when you install other programs – such as Music or Video sharing programs. One of the most common techniques adopted by Spyware makers to dig into your confidential information is called keylogging, i.e., intercepting the passwords that you type in, when you log into confidential sites - for example, your Credit Card/ Bank/ Paypal account

Another method adopted by Spyware is by collecting the URLs of the sites you visit, so as to analyze your browsing habits and target you with advertisements that the Spyware deems fit!

Yet another method used by Spyware is to scan documents on a computer's hard disk. This information is used by the makers of Spyware to rob the user of his/ her money or conduct other illegal activities. Targeting the user for advertisements based on data on the user’s hard disk (under the assumption that the user would be tempted to go in for the products or services offered by such targeted advertisements) is one of the least harmful faces of Spyware!

Are all software products that study user habits and send it out to its makers, classified as harmful Spyware?

Not at all! Not all advertisement-inclusive software are Spyware – you may actually prefer to let a few advertisements appear when you run a software, for example if it makes the software significantly cheaper to own. However if the software goes about collecting your confidential information or begins to track your browsing habits or does nefarious stuff – without your explicit consent or even knowledge, it certainly isn’t up to any good!

Many well-known companies have incorporated one form or the other of Spyware into their products. Even though these products are not malevolent in nature, they still track the user’s behavior and target advertisements based on the results. Technically though, such programs fall under the Spyware category, since these do not have the explicit sanction of the user, for tracking their behavior. As long as the data isn’t used to dupe you of your money or peace of mind, calling it Spyware may be a little too harsh!

For more information on Spyware, check out the link, http://www.antispywarecoalition.org/documents/DefinitionsJune292006.htm

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How do I protect myself against Spyware?

Unfortunately, unlike Viruses, Spyware are not easy to get rid of, once they get into your system.

Safe practices to minimize the risk of Spyware are:

Keep your Windows Firewall turned on – it will protect your system from hackers trying to get into your system and taking control of it. For more information on how to turn on your Windows XP System’s Firewall, visit the following link: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/sniff/firewall_sniff_xpsp2.mspx
Some AntiSpyware programs (like Norton 360) turn off the Windows Firewall and turn on their own Firewall. It is better to let the specialized program's Firewall run and turn off Windows' Firewall
Do not visit sleazy sites or sites that promise you unbelievable bargains – for example free copies of popular commercial software/ free copies of the latest desktop operating system or other expensive software!
When installing software downloaded from the Internet, make sure you read the EULA (End-user License Agreement). Check out whether the software is Adware (i.e., whether it is supports Advertisements). If it is Adware, read carefully and satisfy yourself that you are okay with the conditions, before installing it
Make sure you run one of the following AntiSpyware Programs:
1. Norton 360 (Commercialware). You can download its time-limited Trialware and purchase it after 30 days, before it expires
2. Norton Internet Security (Commercialware). You can download its time-limited Trialware and purchase it after 30 days, before it expires
3. SpyBot (Freeware)
4. AVG AntiSpyware (Both Time-limited Freeware and Commercial versions are available)
5. Windows Defender (Freeware – just make sure your copy of Windows is genuine, otherwise you cannot download/ install it!)

In the wake of the explosion of Spyware, today, an industry segment dedicated to developing Anti Spyware products has risen. A number of specialist AntiSpyware programs are available, apart from the three mentioned above. The products of this industry help users prevent Spyware from infecting their systems as well as help unfortunate owners of compromised systems to fight back and clean the existing Spyware on their systems.

Are there ways to know if a Spyware attack is on, so that I may be more careful?

Like in the case of Viruses, you need to be constantly on the alert against Spyware. There are no ways to predict Spyware break-outs!

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