Why does spyware infect Home PCs?How do they work?

Sajeev · 31-12-2005, 12:11 AM

I frequently check my system processes and every once in a while I fine some process that i dont reconize only to find out its a 'spyware'
What posible in formation can these programs transmit and how on earth do they get past AV programs and firewalls!

legolas · 31-12-2005, 12:47 AM

well, this is a very general question and i think u shud google it and get information from teh millions of hits u ll get there!

/legolas

mediator · 31-12-2005, 03:22 AM

Firewall are based on rules that these spywares can breach by using allowed applications(that have security bugs ) on firewall.
I really dont find spywares on my system everyday but once a week as my system is heavily utilized for gaming,internet and all sorta entertainment and work ! Try some good antispyware!

siriusb · 31-12-2005, 06:37 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware...s_of_infection

h_kunte · 31-12-2005, 07:32 AM

@Sajeev

If u cant google the topic, atleast u can search this forum....Check this sticky.....It has all that u want to know...

http://www.thinkdigit.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11368

HK

anandk · 31-12-2005, 02:44 PM

http://www.download.com/Spyware-Cent...0.html?tag=dir
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...p/antispy.mspx
www.spywareinfo.com
www.spywareguide.com
www.spywaredata.com

swatkat · 02-01-2006, 12:08 AM

Hmmm.....Nice info here

Konain · 22-09-2006, 12:41 PM

Concentrate more on how to remove them and how to find them out, darling. Leave the modus operandi to the geekos out there...

shaunak · 22-09-2006, 06:35 PM

Simply put:
Spyware is the result of the free lunch you have over the internet.
Like the cool chancing walpapers or the hotbars in IE6
>the cool free software you just downloaded from an unknown site?
>the "FREE" expensive software you just downloaded [if you know what i mean].
>did you just install and unkonws activeX to get access to god know what?
>do you use IE [ok! joking on this one!]
>visited to cool link which your friends chainmailed to you?
>did you just skip reading the EULA and said i agree
>did you just get over a hundred cursors?
Start cursing [bad pun] cause there is a high chance the people who just gave you all the above listed services are looking to make a little money by selling your personal info and data regarding surfing habits, to web advertising companies, which they will collect gradually over a period of time by using spyweres.
of course this can go from data collection to browser hijacking[so that no matter what you do you end up on their site] to credit card number and password collection. which could also lead to phishing etc etc. there is no limit to the madness.
They cant get past "well configured" and professional firewalls. but if you just ckicked allow without reading what warning you firewall just gave you then god save you.
__________

janitha · 23-09-2006, 10:05 PM

@Shounak
Nice brief description.

BTW I regularly upadate my SECURIY S/Ws and scan using them. ( AVG FREE, Ad-Aware, Spybot, Zone Alarm, W. Defender and Spywareblaster). My XP Home is always upadate. During the last one year only once there was a spyware occurrence and no virus threat.

Choto Cheeta · 24-09-2006, 04:06 AM

dont allow any one to open porn or warez site... as most come from there...

early the main reason used to be Email, but now emails get very good filter, now the main reason is, porn sites and crack sites

dont visit them...