Spyware :: Information :: Installation

How does spyware get installed?

Spyware are small programs which literally do "spy" on you, they normally send back confidential data to a remote location. The programs run in "stealth" mode which means it can be very difficult for the average user to even realise that they are there. Typically the program will be installed by one and four ways;

• Intentional : The software is purposely installed by someone who also uses the computer system wanting to spy on another user. ie. a family member or a boss wanting to spy on how employees use the computer. Spy hardware is also a possibility for this case.
• Accidental : The software is installed by someone who perhaps accepted a download and runs the program without really knowing what the program does, or was tricked into installing it thinking it was something else (a common tactic used to persuade unsuspecting users - many companies ironically try to lure users by claiming that it's some program that will speed-up their computer dramatically by installing it)
• Drive-up download : This technique involves trying to successfully download and run the program without the users knowledge and/or consent. This is possible by one of two ways, either the user has inadequate security settings in place on their browser or the spyware has managed to install by exploiting some security weakness in the browser.
• Bundled : The spyware is installed as part of another program. This program is normally what the user actually intended to install. The fact that this spyware (sometimes more than one) is also installed is not clearly mentioned in the EULA, and the average user would never notice this extra program. Until they may question why so many pop-up adverts are appearing or why their computer is running so slow.