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Malicious, Annoying or Misunderstood?

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If you believe you have been infected with some sort of adware or spyware, there are a number of ways to identify the culprit. It's usually easier to identify adware because it is often less mischievous than spyware and can come from organizations that are widely considered legitimate.

Some adware sites consider Forbes.com's Business Alerts to be adware because they run in stealth mode in the background. They also display business news on your desktop. The Google Toolbar has been accused of being spyware because it includes a Page Rank feature that tells Google where people are surfing on the Web. Ironically, the Google Toolbar offers pop-up blocking, which can help keep unwanted ads and download windows from appearing as you navigate the Web. The Page Rank feature on the Google Toolbar can be disabled if you want to enjoy the benefits without any stealthy activity.

Most of the Web browser toolbars, like Google and the eBay Toolbar, (known as Browser Helper Objects, or BHOs) are technically spyware, but they are also useful to some people. For a fairly complete list of BHOs and their file names, see http://sysinfo.org/bhoinfo.html

Instant Messaging Pestware

An application called "Buddylinks," which requires end-users to download, install, and agree to an end-user agreement, is known to spread marketing messages via AOL's Instant Messenger (AIM). It appears to be a recommendation from an AIM user that encourages contacts to visit a Web page to download a video game, such as the "Osama Found" game.

Buried in the software's accompanying End User License Agreement (EULA) is a statement that AIM users who download it explicitly give their permission to send marketing messages to their Buddy List contacts. In this way, the program can spread itself by sending links to the Web page — while seeming to come from a known contact.

For more information, read: http://www.instantmessagingplanet.com/public/article.php/3311861.

Research Before You Download
Because spyware is often included with freeware and shareware, it doesn't hurt to do research on programs before you download them. A simple Google search, a visit to security-related forums, or checking sites devoted to spyware and anti-virus software can alert you to any problems people have reported with software.

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Discuss adware, spyware and trojans in the Intranet Journal discussion forum.