Spyware and adware

1. Spyware and AdwareSpyware and Adware
Presented By:Presented By:
D.NaveenaD.Naveena
11731A051311731A0513

2. ContentsContents

What is Spyware?What is Spyware?

What is Adware?What is Adware?

How does Spyware and Adware work?How does Spyware and Adware work?

How to detect if your computer hasHow to detect if your computer has
Spyware/Adware?Spyware/Adware?

What programs are there to help get rid ofWhat programs are there to help get rid of
them?them?

RecommendationsRecommendations

3. What is Spyware and Adware?What is Spyware and Adware?
Both areBoth are independent programsindependent programs
that can be automatically installedthat can be automatically installed
when you surf the internet orwhen you surf the internet or
when you install free software.when you install free software.
MostMost adwareadware isis spywarespyware in ain a
different sense than "advertising-different sense than "advertising-
supported software," for asupported software," for a
different reason: it displaysdifferent reason: it displays
advertisements related to what itadvertisements related to what it
finds from spying on you.finds from spying on you.

4. What is Spyware?What is Spyware?
Spyware - is computer software which is installed
surreptitiously on a personal computer; it takes partial
control over the user's computer, without the user's
informed consent.
Collect various types of personal information - such as
Internet surfing habits, visited sites, can also interfere
installing additional software and redirecting Web
browser activity.
Spyware is known to change computer settings, resulting
in slow connection speeds, loss of Internet or functionality
of other programs.

5. AdwareAdware is any software package which automatically plays,is any software package which automatically plays,
displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer after thedisplays, or downloads advertisements to a computer after the
software is installed on it or while the application is being used.software is installed on it or while the application is being used.
Comes in the form ofComes in the form of popupspopups and unexplainedand unexplained
advertising programsadvertising programs on your computer.on your computer.
Also aAlso a LEGAL programLEGAL program!!
Adware are created byAdware are created by advertising companiesadvertising companies..
What is Adware?What is Adware?

6. Advertising companiesAdvertising companies
hope to generate moneyhope to generate money
from customers whofrom customers who
receive thereceive the popupspopups oror
unexplained programsunexplained programs onon
their computers.their computers.
Well-known adwareWell-known adware
programs-programs-
123 Messenger123 Messenger
AOL Instant MessengerAOL Instant Messenger
DivXDivX
Micro AntivirusMicro Antivirus
RealPlayerRealPlayer

7. Routes of infectionRoutes of infection
Spyware and Adware programs have a tendency to hide asSpyware and Adware programs have a tendency to hide as cookiecookie
oror temporary internet filestemporary internet files..
Ways-Ways-
Malicious websitesMalicious websites install spyware on readers' computers.install spyware on readers' computers.
Another way of distributing spyware involves tricking users byAnother way of distributing spyware involves tricking users by
manipulating security featuresmanipulating security features designed to prevent unwanteddesigned to prevent unwanted
installations.installations.
In a few cases, aIn a few cases, a wormworm oror virusvirus has delivered ahas delivered a spyware payloadspyware payload..
Some attackers used the Spybot worm to install spyware that putSome attackers used the Spybot worm to install spyware that put
pornographic pop-ups on the infected system's screen. Bypornographic pop-ups on the infected system's screen. By
directing traffic to ads, the spyware-makers funds author ofdirecting traffic to ads, the spyware-makers funds author of
website, which profits them personally.website, which profits them personally.

8. How to detect that your computer has spyware orHow to detect that your computer has spyware or
adware…adware…
ContinuousContinuous popupspopups..
PersistentPersistent changechange in yourin your
homepagehomepage..
Slower computer processingSlower computer processing,,
takes the computer longer totakes the computer longer to
process or startup.process or startup.

9. Extreme symptoms of spyware or adware…Extreme symptoms of spyware or adware…
A spyware program is rarelyA spyware program is rarely
alone on a computer: an affectedalone on a computer: an affected
machine usually hasmachine usually has multiplemultiple
infectionsinfections..
Internet browserInternet browser does not start up.does not start up.
Parts of your computer youParts of your computer you
cannot access withoutcannot access without freezingfreezing..
Major core data isMajor core data is lostlost oror
changedchanged..

10. What programs are there to help get rid ofWhat programs are there to help get rid of
spyware/adwarespyware/adware??
Out of many programs out in the internet that wereOut of many programs out in the internet that were
created to detect spyware/adware, four programscreated to detect spyware/adware, four programs
were chosen for this presentation.. They are:were chosen for this presentation.. They are:
Spybot Search and DestroySpybot Search and Destroy
SpysweeperSpysweeper
Symantec AntiVirusSymantec AntiVirus
Ad-aware 6.0Ad-aware 6.0

11. Spybot Search and DestroySpybot Search and Destroy
Type: Spyware KillerType: Spyware Killer
Advantages:Advantages:

Has aHas a Recovery featureRecovery feature thatthat
allows you to restore any filesallows you to restore any files
you may be deleted infected withyou may be deleted infected with
spywarespyware

Has anHas an Immunity featureImmunity feature thatthat
protects you from already knownprotects you from already known
spywaresspywares
Disadvantages:Disadvantages:

Infrequent updates causeInfrequent updates cause
spywares to slip past scans andspywares to slip past scans and
immunityimmunity

12. Spy SweeperSpy Sweeper
Type: Spyware/ Adware (FreeType: Spyware/ Adware (Free
Version)Version)
Advantages:Advantages:

Has aHas a immunity shieldimmunity shield thatthat
blocks known spywares.blocks known spywares.
Disadvantages:Disadvantages:

Takes a while to scan.Takes a while to scan.

Unless you pay for the Spy-Unless you pay for the Spy-
Sweeper, it does not come withSweeper, it does not come with
definition updates.definition updates.
Comments:Comments:

Effective program, onlyEffective program, only
backdraw is the payment youbackdraw is the payment you
need to make yearly to keep theneed to make yearly to keep the
program updated.program updated.

13. Norton Symantec AntiVirusNorton Symantec AntiVirus
Type: Virus/ Spyware/ AdwareType: Virus/ Spyware/ Adware
Advantages:Advantages:
Can detectCan detect virusesviruses,, hackinghacking
programsprograms,, spyware programsspyware programs,,
adware programsadware programs, etc., etc.
Comes with a firewall.Comes with a firewall.
Disadvantages:Disadvantages:
Detects very fewDetects very few
adware/spyware programsadware/spyware programs
Very confusing to use.Very confusing to use.
Comments:Comments:
Norton Symantec still has waysNorton Symantec still has ways
to go in detectingto go in detecting
adware/spyware programsadware/spyware programs

14. Ad-aware 6.0Ad-aware 6.0
Type: AdwareType: Adware
Advantages:Advantages:
•
EasyEasy to use scanning.to use scanning.
•
Detailed logs of where theDetailed logs of where the
adware and spyware programsadware and spyware programs
areare hiddenhidden..
Disadvantages:Disadvantages:
•
Ad-aware was built forAd-aware was built for
adware, so its ability to catchadware, so its ability to catch
spyware is restrictedspyware is restricted
Comments:Comments:
•
Effective Program. A bit onEffective Program. A bit on
thethe costlycostly side but its wellside but its well
worth it.worth it.

15. RecommendationsRecommendations
Preventing spyware and adware from getting onto your computerPreventing spyware and adware from getting onto your computer
is your first step!is your first step!

Do notDo not downloaddownload unnecessary software from theunnecessary software from the
internet, especially free ones because they most likelyinternet, especially free ones because they most likely
have adware or spyware inside them.have adware or spyware inside them.

If a download screen appears, asking you to confirmIf a download screen appears, asking you to confirm
your download,your download, click noclick no if you are not trying to installif you are not trying to install
anything.anything.

Avoid clickingAvoid clicking advertised popupsadvertised popups especially ones thatespecially ones that
mention “free” stuff if possible.mention “free” stuff if possible.

16. Recommendations contd..Recommendations contd..
Technical RecommendationsTechnical Recommendations
Disable saving of temporary filesDisable saving of temporary files
ConstantlyConstantly delete old temporary filesdelete old temporary files andand
cookiescookies
Always constantlyAlways constantly scanscan youryour computercomputer forfor
adware and spyware and keep youradware and spyware and keep your
Adware/Spyware killer programs fully updatedAdware/Spyware killer programs fully updated
at all times.at all times.

17. ConclusionConclusion
Unfortunately, spyware and adware aren't
going away any time soon. But you can take
control by deciding what gets in, what stays
out, and what remains on your computer.