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Analysis of Spyware

Posted by timothy on from the incompatable-with-my-OS dept.

scubacuda writes "What actually happens when you install adware/spyware/malware? Follow the Bouncing Malware examines what's downloaded, redirected, and obfuscated. A fascinating read. (Part two was postponed in order to cover a new My Doom variant.)"

5 of 246 comments (clear)

  1. What happens? by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · · Score: 5, Funny

    What actually happens when you install adware/spyware/malware?

    I'm not sure. Let me ask BonziBUDDY...

    --
    "A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
  2. firefox testimonial by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I have been an IE devotee since v4.x came out. I have recently moved over to Firefox in order to stop me having to keep up with all the security problems I started to experience only inthe last couple of months.

    Seriously, how hard can it be for MS to write an application as straightforward, yet secure as Firefox.

    I downloaded Service pack 2 release candidate and noted a lot of security improvements and features, but in agreeance with with MS whom today released the full Service pack 2, it seems to mainly add 'bars and locks' to your 'doors and windows'. Whereas Firefox seems to be a better neighborhood to live in from the start.

    1. Re:firefox testimonial by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Seriously, how hard can it be for MS to write an application as straightforward, yet secure as Firefox.

      Perhaps lots of people, including Microsoft itself, have an interest in perpetuating the myth that software is inherently insecure.

      --
      "A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
  3. A lot of people don't care by .+visplek+. · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Funny thing is that a lot of people just don't care. I remember that visual plugin for Winamp: Wild Tangent Valentine Dancer. It turned out to be spyware (and so did the rest of Wild Tangent's plugins and apps) but a lot of people just wanted to see a girl dancing on their screen. They just don't care. Not aware of the results of a spyware infested computer and blinded by some digital hottie. The result is over 3,707,559 downloads.

    --
    - Save a tree, eat more woodpeckers
  4. Re:Even Sevens by Crizp · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I got a cousin whose Windows XP would display 31 (he counted them) popups (a new, different one after the previous had been closed), when he logged on his user profile.

    After I reinstalled XP for him, I installed Firefox and ordered him to use that and forget about IE unless he wanted to be hit upside the head with my cluestick. He doesn't know much about the underlying technology of computers and recent software but everyone in the family understands when I say "use that and evil stuff might be installed on the PC even if you're only surfing around". They take my word for it as I'm the resident geek.

    I did the same with his family's computer. Now I just have to explain stuff to the youngest son who insists on using BearShare, Kazaa (even if I've said NOOOO!) and such stuff. He downloads and installs small programs. Once, the family computer was infected with over 150 viruses.

    My cousin is extremely happy with Firefox, once I've shown him the concenpt of tabbed browsing, he's never looked back. And the computer don't get as much spyware installed now. The younger brother screws that up a bit 'cause he won't listen. Damn nu-metal ignoramus :)