types of spyware

Protect Yourself From the Threat of a Trojan Horse

A Trojan Horse, or Trojan, is a program that while on the surface appears legit, contains threats to the well-being of your computer and files. Like the Trojan Horse it was named after, this type of program is deceives the user to believe the program is beneficial when in reality, it is harboring danger inside. The Trojan is one of the worst types of threat to live on your computer’s hard drive.

A Trojan is a kind of spyware - software that infects your computer without your knowledge in order to take control over your computer. Trojans seriously compromise the security level of your computer meaning your private data may not be private anymore. Trojans can spy on your every activity and record information then easily send that data to third parties for their own financial benefit.

How can I be infected?

Every file you download has the potential to have a negative effect on the computer. Not every file contains malicious content, but one must be careful when downloading software and other files from their email or the internet. A simple task like opening an email with an attachment could literally destroy the computer and cost a huge amount of money to repair or replace. More serious is the breach of security, as the release of your personal and financial information could cause you significant harm. Read more >>

Understanding Trojans and the Dangers They Pose

If you're a regular computer user, the chances are that you’ve heard the word Trojan used on a frequent basis without fully understanding what it means. Some may understand the meaning of the word without completely understanding the security implications of having a Trojan present on their computer system. A trojan is a type of spyware that poses a great danger to your computer, and the best way to protect yourself is to utilize an anti-spyware software.

Basically, a Trojan is computer program that appears to have one particular function but carries out another malicious function when it is installed or run on a computer. Software of this kind may come as a game or popular software program which you download from somewhere or receive from someone you may or may not know. When such software is installed on your computer, you most likely won't see anything go wrong, your program may install flawlessly and in some cases you might install the program and run it but nothing happens. If it's a Trojan, at first appearance it might seem like nothing devious is going on, but what most computer users are not aware of is the fact that the Trojan usually installs it's malicious components silently, meaning that you're not likely to notice anything out of the ordinary. Read more >>

A large majority of computer users know that trojan horses are possibly one of the most deadly forms of virus which can result in problems that are often caused by spyware / malware.

Unfortunately, trojans come in many different formats that are designed to alter or destroy essential files required to run a PC. It can be difficult to establish the presence of any trojan but there are ways of avoiding potential contamination in the first place.

What is the Zlob Trojan?

Known for being particularly harmful, the Zlob Trojan is a hacker's paradise and can give fraudulent users the opportunity of gaining remote access to any number of computers he/she desires. The trojan can find many ways into a computer system (especially one that has little or no protection) via the internet and can cause extreme problems with vital systems. A trojan typically gains access by sneaking in along with another program or application.

The Zlob Trojan can become implanted within a computer via a number of different methods which consists of: Read more >>

When it comes to potential risks to our computers, these can come in many different formats and affect vital systems in ways that we could not imagine.

If one performs a search for “Internet Optimizer” then it will primarily show links on how to improve your internet service and/or connection speeds. But, if you look closely, there are some forms of Internet Optimizer that you won’t want to become acquainted with.

Some types of spyware often prove to be a nuisance and despite the Internet Optimizer software not posing as much of a threat, in comparison to some of its counterparts, it does prove to be an inconvenience if nothing else. However, it must be noted that when one experiences issues such as broken links, if any are clicked then this could lead to a trojan infecting your computer or perhaps more spyware being added on further down the line.

What is Internet Optimizer?

Internet Optimizer is also commonly referred to as DyFuCA.This is a form of spyware software that (as with most programs of a malicious nature) is intended to cause as much damage as possible, without the user noticing. Read more >>

No Phishing!

Identity theft is a serious threat and criminals are getting craftier every day. If your computer isn’t totally secure, your email and internet provide a wide open pond for thieves to “phish” for your personal information. Phishing is a pretty nasty piece of spyware. It’s important that you know what it is and how to protect yourself.

Phishers use all sorts of tactics to get you to their websites. They are a clever bunch, and obviously food-obsessed, as their main “tool to fool” is spam. Not just a mystery meat, spam is another word for unsolicited emails. Spam e-mails may have titles like “Hot Housewives Want You,” or, “Urgent: Reply to this e-mail or the world will end!” They may be less obvious in nature: “Hurry! Only a few fantastic bargains left!”

Spam e-mails are designed on purpose to play on your curiosity, fear, and greed. If you give in and click through, you will likely be asked for sensitive information. The phisher will capture this data, and the consequences can be severe.

While spam emails typically come from unknown parties, phishers have gotten smarter. They will pose as someone you you believe to be familiar to you. Here’s an example: Read more >>

Online Criminals Phish for Information

In a modern day where computer technology is continuously evolving, one cannot take the chance in leaving a system unprotected against the never-ending flow of risks that could put personal information at risk.

Many internet users think that spyware is the only threat to the security of vital data such as bank details, account passwords and other similar information. The reality is very different.

Over the past few years, phishing websites and emails have become a problem which is on the rise and continues to seriously threat mainly the financial industry but overall, anyone could fall victim.

Fact: It was reported by UK wide banks that fraud which occurred as a direct result of phishing cost the industry approximately £4.5 million in 2003 / 2004. This is nothing in comparison to the $500 million losses in the United States for the same financial year.

The good news is that there is wide range of anti-spyware programs available that will protect against spyware, adware, and bogus phishing websites. Read more >>

Phishing: Avoid Getting Caught

Identity theft is on the rise, perhaps due to a slow economy (forcing more people to turn to illegal methods to make money) or advancing technology (making it easier to do so), either way, it is becoming more common. With the amount of personal and financial data that is shared over the internet, your online security should be a top priority.

One way criminals can obtain your personal information is by “phishing.” Put simply, phishing is the practice of deceptively obtaining your personal information by posing as a legitimate entity. For example, you may receive an e-mail that claims that your “account is in jeopardy.” These e-mails look and read like they are legitimate. That is exactly what the sender wants you to believe. Often the phisher will create authentic-looking company logos that look vaguely familiar, or may even steal real company logos, like from PayPal and claim to be these organizations. The e-mail will usually inform you that your account and personal information has been compromised and there are certain steps you need to take to protect it. They may tell you things like “if you do not take any action your account will be suspended.” Often these directions will ask you to click on a hyperlink and verify that your information is correct. It is the goal of the sender for you to verify your information so they will then have all the information they need to scam you or steal your identity. They play on your emotions and use scare tactics to get you to give them the data they want. Unfortunately, once they are in possession of your information your problems will only be beginning. Read more >>

Spyware: What are the Current Threats to Watch For?

With the number of spyware threats on the rise it is important to know what the most current threats are. Not doing this could result in more difficulties with the operation of your valued computer.

Virtumonde

Virtumonde is a spyware threat that forces ads to be displayed on the computer from third parties. Unfortunately, the ads appear as unwanted pop-up windows and contain links that may be automatically opened by the Windows operating system. The risks of this type of spyware are very high as this spyware can make changes to your operating system which are very difficult to remedy. It is also possible that some of the third party ads will track any internet or activities the computer user initiates.

Zango

Zango also acts in the same way as Virtumonde but the threat level is not as elevated. The risk with Zango is that software programs are installed without the knowledge or approval of the computer user. The software program may be dangerous to your computer. Read more >>

CoolWebSearch – Perhaps not so cool!

Computers have been embraced globally and have paved the way for current and future generations. In decades to come, no one can be certain how much advancement will be made but one thing we cannot deny is that with the good, there will also be the bad. Over the past few years, computer viruses and spyware / malware software have tainted the products of our time by potentially putting us and our personal information at risk.

About CoolWebSearch

The malicious program CoolWebSearch (or CoolWWWSearch – CWS as it is most commonly known) is a common and well-known form of spyware that affects many computers using Microsoft Windows programs. CWS was first recognized in 2003 and has remained a danger ever since.One cannot predict how a computer will act when the CWS software is present because it has been known to create a number of problems for PC users. Read more >>

Remove ContraVirus

In a period where the economy is facing hard times, many are resorting to making a quick buck by any means necessary, whether it is legitimate or not.

Computer users can often be duped by “too good to be true” deals which turn out to be exactly that—where a person may get more than they bargained for, and not in a good way.

The ContraVirus (or ExpertVirus as it is sometimes known) offers seemingly real and equally effective anti-spyware software but, this is far from the truth.

Individuals who take part in such criminal activity believe it is a victimless crime. But, installing a trojan without one’s knowledge and then trying to extract money from unsuspecting computer users is certainly not victimless; many can suffer as a result of such actions. Read more >>