Types and Varieties of Spyware found on the Interent Today

Adware

Adware is a generic term used to define a category of spyware that marketers use to track your personal information and browsing information to make money. It can refer to software that will run pop up ads on your computer or any other type of spyware that is used by marketers.

Malware

Malware is a common term to refer to viruses and Trojan spyware programs that interupt your web browsing and get your personal information. It also can be used to define any malicious code that is run on your computer, a very generic term.

Hijackware

Hijackware refers to spyware that changes up your browser settings to force you to open their web pages so they can make money on you when you are forced to see their site. They operate like viruses, and many are viruses, in that they can restore parts of themselves if you don't get rid of the whole program. This spyware installs programs that load at bootup or start web server or hidden processes that keep pointing your browser back to their sites and even redirecting sites you type in to those they want you to see.

Keyloggers

Keyloggers are a type of spyware that can be used to watch everything you do on your computer. They are classified as surveillance spyware since they are used by detectives and companies to spy on their employees. They keep tabs on what programs you have open and what keystrokes you make while in those programs. This can let you get passwords or any type of personal information you enter into your computer.

Trojans and Viruses

Trojan spyware refers to spyware that masks itself as legitimate software and then starts doing malicious activities once it is activated. This type of spyware also refers to spyware that once inside your computer downloads other spyware programs onto your computer thus causing a real nightmare. Some viruses that you might recieve do the same thing and are just as intrusive about your personal info as any spyware program might be.

Tracking Cookies

Tracking cookies are cookies set by ad companies such as Double Click to track where you visit on the internet. They are used by marketers and advertisers to target you for their assorted products. Cookies are pretty innocuous by themselves since they contain no code and change no settings on your computer. Cookies are just text files that web sites can set to store information about your visit to their site. These types of things are usually passwords or preferences for a website so that you don't have to reenter that information next time you visit. Tracking cookies are just cookies set by ad companies servers that a website can use to tell where you have been surfing before coming to their site. They are not considered spyware but are commonly removed by Spyware programs as they are an minor invasion of your privacy.

Dialers

Dialers are a type of software typically used by vendors serving pornography via the Internet. Once dialer software is downloaded, the user is disconnected from their modem's usual Internet service provider, re-connected to another Internet service provider (new dial-up telephone number), and the user is billed at exorbitant rates. Dialers do not "spy" on their intended victims, but these malevolent programs can rack up significant long distance phone charges, costing victims time and money.