Spy Software
Summary
Spy software, or spyware, is software that records information and or activity on a computer and then sends the information to the person or company that installed it. While these programs have been around since the early days of Windows, there has been a recent wave of newer applications of them. The newer programs far outstrip their predecessors in what they do, who installs them, and how they are used. So what exactly do these programs do, who installs them, and should they be a cause for concern?
The list of spyware programs is long and growing longer by the day. Investigator, Spector, and Cyber Snoop are some of the more well known ones, but there are countless others. Some common features include
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Case Study: AudioGalaxy and VX2
AudioGalaxy bundled an ad program from Onflow for a period of approximately 34 days in late 2001. VX2 was a subprogram within the Onflow software that buried itself into the internet browser of the host computer and then went to work. It would randomly ‘pop-up’ advertisements while the user was surfing, and then send information back to VX2 corporation. All of this was done without the users knowledge, in fact the user was not notified that the program was even installed. The editor of Portal of Evil discovered VX2 while trying to eliminate pop-up ads from his website. Further investigation into the company revealed next to nothing. Emails went unanswered, and there was no other way to contact VX2. The privacy policy on VX2’s website basically says that it does not respect the users privacy, which does not inspire trust or confidence in them.
“vx2's Software also uses artificial intelligence to discern and collect name and address information from online forms that you fill out. We use this information to allow our partners to reach you with personalized and targeted offers and advertisements that are relevant to your interests. We may also contact you directly ourselves with such offers.” - VX2 Privacy Policy
In normal English this means that the program will take information from forms you fill out, such as: name, address, phone number, email address.
“The rebel pulled the trigger, and like lightning, i saw the spark of fire that came from the muzzle” In this simile Ishmael explains how fast the rebel pulled the trigger and how quick a bullet can really go.
Rootkit – Rootkit is a software that is downloaded onto a computer to ide the compromised operating system. This can allow other viruses or malware to come and make it look like it’s a necessary file for the computer. Even if you use an anti-virus, it will look at it but will think it’s a necessary file for the computer. The longer the rootkit is installed the harder it is to undo the damages
Spyware is Software that enables a user to obtain information about another's computer activities by transmitting data from their hard drive.
Information would be gathered together based a person’s background information such as gender, race etc.
had attached a small file onto that funny program which, when downloaded, could spy on
Initial observations of the Roman Pantheon from the front appear to be similar to the ruins of the Greek Parthenon, but really both structures are somewhat unique in their composition, purpose, design, and fate. Constructed over half of a millennium after the Parthenon was built, the Pantheon, built in 27 B.C., exhibits some of the architectural styles and characteristics of its predecessor. However, the Romans refined Greek building techniques, thereby developing a unique and more advanced architectural style.
“...Madman!- he sprung to his feet, and shrieked out his syllables, as if in the effort he were giving up his soul”(Poe 277). The short stories, The Fall in the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe, and The Minister’s Black Veil by Nathaniel Hawthorne explore fear in a deeper context. Fear is a very common emotion. Fear is the result of encounters with the unknown. The Fall in the House of Usher, shows a very anxious Roderick Usher sending for a childhood friend to console him. The Minister’s Black Veil, is a story about a minister that is surrounded by hypocrisy and has taken upon himself to shield it with a veil. The fear and dread and analyzed in these stories show how the mind reacts to being
In our recent negotiation, my partner Dave and I assumed the roles of Alan Hacker, a computer software developer, and Alan Hacker’s lawyer. Being the lawyer in the negotiation my objective was to avoid litigation with my client’s partner Stanley Star and to aid in the continuation of my client’s co-owned company HackerStar. In addition, I would assist Hacker in coming to an agreement that would be satisfying for him both personally and financially. I felt that Dave and I presented a reasonable argument on Hacker’s behalf and, since I was able to apply some of our class readings during the process, I was overall pleased with the outcome.
Technological Surveillance In an age where instant communication and technology provide easy and ready access to information, the society and the individual is caught between two very controversial principles- open information and privacy. The perceptions and expectations of privacy are rapidly changing as a result of current developments in surveillance technologies. The question is are these new surveillance technologies endangering the values and morals of our democratic society, the society we have worked for many centuries to achieve?
Data Miners is also software that is used to search email and others with intentions of locating confidential information that can be sold or utilized for ads. This is a very dangerous form of spyware as it can be stealth like and a user would not even know they were infected. Trojan horses is another type that appears to act as something that they are not and utilize program names that many people may use in order to get someone to execute them. Browser Hijackers can reroute a home browser to a site in which they operate and can also function as a proxy so when an individual begins to browse through the internet, you are searching through their server and giving them the ability to observe your every move (Admin,
Does the site ask for your personal information? If so, how will this information be used?
In this way the biometric data of the user through sensors pick up and then passed to the feature extractor to generate a template.
There are an enormous amount of malicious software programs. The most common types are known as viruses and spyware. Spyware has
Malwares are mischievous programs crafted to agitate or forbid normal operations to gather selected information which may lead to loss of privacy through
As the world becomes more and more reliant on computers the computer hacking industry is greatly rising. With people such as Kevin Mitnick, who is known as a "computer terrorist" (Kjochaiche 1), computerized information isn't safe any more. Kevin is known as "the most high-profiled computer criminal and responsible for more havoc in the computer world today."(1) He considered this a fun and easy task. He got caught and thrown into prison, but once he got out nothing changed. Kevin stated that as long as the technology is there it just calls to people to break into it. Computer hackers usually start off young, thinking that it is nothing but a little harmless fun. But as they get older, they realize it has turned into