| Key Logger -
Dangerous |
A type of software
can be either secretly installed on your PC by someone who has
access to your computer or may be installed inadvertently via
the Internet. This software can allow people to monitor your
keystrokes, your computer screen, chat conversations, to steal
your passwords, credit card info, banking, identity, etc,...
and can even allow remote access.
EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! |
|
| Dialer -
Very Costly |
A program that
usually configures some sort of dial up configuration such as
a dial-up-networking connection in Windows. The user either
knowingly or unknowingly will end up using the dialer that
calls a time-charged number that is usually billed to your
credit card. It can be very costly because some hackers will
make you call international phone numbers where they can
charge you per minute without you knowing it. |
|
| Browser
Hijacker |
A type of software
that changes your browser settings, which most commonly
includes your home page without you knowing. |
|
| Cookie |
Cookies are small
files that are created by your web browser when you visit
sites on the Internet. They can be used to track your visits
to certain web sites and can provide companies with
information about frequency of visits and other profile
information. The user is usually not aware that their surfing
habits are being tracked. |
|
| AdWare -
Very Annoying |
Adware is a type
of software that displays advertisements on the computer
screen while a computer is running. Typically, Adware is built
into software that performs some other primary task such as
file sharing. Popup Blockers are usually useless when it
comes to Adware. |
|
| Parasite -
Dangerous |
A type of software
that piggybacks onto other software. This type of software
commonly installs without the users knowledge or consent.
|
|
| Trackware |
Trackware is a
generic term that describes software that collects a computers
demographic and usage information and sends it to some remote
server via the Internet, where it can be used by other people
in a variety of different ways including marketing. |
|
| Trojan -
Very Dangerous |
A type of software
that is installed unknowingly, usually as a result of
installing some other software, or viewing an e-mail. Since it
exists as a software program on the computer, the range of
activity of a Trojan can be quite broad, from usage monitoring
to remote control to customized collection and theft of
information. |
|
| Worm -
Slows down PC |
Software that propagates by creating duplicates of itself on
other computers
|
