 |
Spyware Practices
Naturally, you’d never knowingly download any kind of spyware. Therefore, it’s proprietors have to resort to unscrupulous practices to get you do so. The following are some of those practices that make it possible. They do the following:
1) Create a false pretense for needing the software. You get this email message from a co-worker: "Here is the report you asked for. In order to view it, you need to download this software." When you get to the web site it asks you to install a “report viewer” that turns out to be spyware. Once you’ve agreed to the license agreement (who really reads those) and installed it, it will use your email software to send the same email you just received.
2, Hide inside another program's installation. You will often see this technique in peer-to-peer programs like Kazaa or Morpheus. Hundreds of "freeware" programs install some form of spyware along with the main application. In some cases the spyware is relatively harmless and in some cases it is very harmful.
3) Use unclear legal language. The license agreements won’t clearly state that they’ll collect your personal information and change your settings. Instead, they’ll use confusing legal language to make you not read it or at least not understand it.
4) Look essential, or hide in your pc. Some spyware will use an official names so that they look essential to your pc and you'll be less likely to disable it if you discover it.
5) Don't uninstall the software. Most spyware does not remove itself when you uninstall the application that originally installed the spyware. In most cases the only way to completely remove spyware is with a Spyware cleaners.
Be in the know. Protect yourself.
 
Back to Spyware Center
|
|
|
