Glossary of spyware related terms
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Adware |
Adware
Advertising software designed to be used with other software and/or web pages. Adware is a popular method used by shareware authors to generate revenue from users who do not buy licenses for their software titles. It allows free use of the software in 'sponsored mode'. Users can often purchase a license to remove all ads from the program.
ActiveX
A Microsoft based technology, originally created to link desktop applications with the World Wide Web. The tiny components are designed to add functionality to applications - such as Internet Explorer, MS Office and Windows Media Player - on demand, and are similar in function to java applets.
Anti-spyware
Spyware are applications which run in the background on an infected computer, collecting specific data such as key strokes, passwords and personal information. Anti-spyware is any program designed to detect and remove spyware and malware.
Cookie
A small text files deposited on a user's hard drive while they are browsing a website. These files include information such as user ID, password, links visited, shopping cart contents and other preferences related to the specific website.
Dialer software
Type of malware, often referred to as 'porn diallers'; automated telephone dialling programs designed to connect an infected computer to a premium phone number via a telephone line. Attackers make money for each minute the call remains connected.
Hacker
A term used to describe any person who adeptly circumnavigates computer security, usually with criminal intent such as virus, malware and trojan creators or people who can access a computer remotely by either creating or exploiting security flaws.
Firewall
Any software or hardware solution that acts as a barrier to unauthorised access of a network or computer. Firewalls can also be used to filter traffic and impose rules on all communication that travels to the protected network.
Phishing
Theft of sensitive personal information such as user names, passwords, credit card and banking details, either through a fraudulent email or a website that masquerades as a legitimate company. Phishing is often associated with spam that asks users to log in to their online accounts and verify their personal details through an included link. The link will take the user to the attacker's website which has normally been designed to look like the actual company website, but where all information entered will be stored for the attacker's use.
Privacy invasive software
Unsolicited software that ignores user privacy and collects information primarily for financial gain, examples would include spyware, adware and browser hijackers.
Rootkit
A program or group of programs used to gain access to a computer while simultaneously disguising itself. The tool allows an attacker to replace system files or install backdoors and are often accompanied by a trojan.
Rogue software
Software that uses malware tools/methods to install itself onto a victim's computer without their consent. These applications are typically anti-spyware programs that display pop-up dialogs stating your system 'is infected' and telling you to buy and install their software to clean your computer. If you attempt to close the pop-up it will automatically install a trial version of the software and in some instances will install without any user action in what is termed a 'drive-by installation'.
Shareware
Software that is copyrighted and distributed via internet download or CD on a trial basis, usually with either a time limit or some disabled features. Users must purchase a license in order to gain unrestricted access to the software.
Virus
Virus self-replicating software, created to destroy computer system files and/or data that can only be spread through some human interaction such as infected emails or disks. Viruses cannot install themselves and rely on users to execute them.
Windows Registry
A database used by Microsoft Windows that stores information about the computer's hardware, software, OS, and user settings for each account on the machine. Editing or altering the registry without specialised knowledge can result in irreversible damage to the computer system.