Threats defined from Jeff Bowlds

What Types of Privacy Threats Exist

Trackware

Trackware is a generic term that describes software that collects a computers demographic and usage information and sends it to some remote server via the Internet, where it can be used by other people in a variety of different ways, including marketing.

Adware

Adware is a type of software that displays pop-ups or other advertisements on your computer screen while a computer is running. Often, Adware is built into software that performs some other primary task such as file sharing.

The justification for Adware is often for the software developer to generate revenue via advertising instead of charging for their software. Some Adware will collect the computers usage information (e.g. web sites visited) and upload this information to a remote server on the Internet, where it is collected and processed for marketing purposes.

Cookies

Cookies are small files that are created by your Web browser when you visit sites on the Internet. Typically, they are used as a convenience to remember frequently used information that is required for access to a particular Web site.

‘Profiling’ Cookies can be used to track your visits to certain Web sites within a large network of sites and can provide companies with information about the frequency of visits and other profile information. Most computer users are not aware that their surfing habits are being tracked this way. Trend Micro Anti-Spyware identifies Profiling Cookies and allows you to erase these and any other cookies that you choose, to enhance your privacy while surfing.

Dialer

A dialer program automatically configures a dial-up connection to the Internet. The user either knowingly or unknowingly will end up using the dialer that calls a time-charged number that is usually billed to a credit card.

KeyLogger/Monitoring Software

KeyLoggers and Monitoring software can be either commercially sold or may be installed inadvertently via the Internet. This software can allow people to monitor your keystrokes, computer screen, etc.and can even allow remote access to your computer. Some KeyLoggers will even email your keystroke data to the person who installed the KeyLogger to monitor your activities.

Trojan

A Trojan is software that is installed unknowingly, usually as a result of installing some other software or viewing an email. Since it exists as a software program on the computer, the range of activity of a Trojan can be quite broad, possibly including: generation of pop-up windows, computer usage monitoring, remote control of the computer, and/or customized collection and theft of information.

EULAware

Software that contains a non-standard or questionable End User License Agreement. For example, a license agreement that states the software or license may be updated without first notifying the user and that the user agrees to any future changes made to the software and/or license agreement. EULAware may broadly permit the software to transmit any type of information to a server, including information unrelated to the primary function of the software application.

Browser Hijacker

A type of software that changes settings in your web browser. This often includes changing your web browser’s default home page.

Parasite

A type of software that piggybacks onto other software. This type of software may be installed without the user’s knowledge or consent.

Browser Helper Object

A type of module that acts as a plugin to the Internet Explorer browser. Some Browser Helper Objects may monitor or manipulate your web surfing.

Layered Service Provider

A type of module that acts as a plugin to your Network System. Layered Service Providers usually have low level access to your network and Internet data.

Peer to Peer

Software that allows users to exchange shared files over the Internet, sometimes opening your computer to being misused.

Worm

Software that propagates by creating duplicates of itself on other computers.

Downloader

Software that manages the download of other software onto computers.

Virus

Software that propagates itself by attaching to other valid programs, or by existing as a separate program.