Security Basics mailing list archives
RE: Adware, spyware, and trojans
From: "Kruger, David, 1stLt, AFPCA/IAN" <David.Kruger () pentagon af mil>
Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2002 13:00:15 -0500
Here's Symantec's stance on the subject. Not sure about others: Does Norton AntiVirus detect Jokes, Adware, or Spyware? Last Updated on: October 28, 2002 03:12:51 PM PST Jokes, adware, and spyware are programs that may arrive as email attachments, may be downloaded from a Web site, or, in some cases, installed when you install another program. By design, Symantec Security Response does not provide virus definitions to detect joke, adware, or spyware programs. Such programs are not malicious, and detecting them only leads to unnecessary virus alerts, which could cause you to believe that you have run or received a dangerous program when you have not. If you have received or installed such a program, and you do not want to run it, we suggest that you uninstall or delete it. In general, if a suspicious program asks you to agree to an End User License Agreement (EULA) prior to installation, or if the program itself is copyrighted, then Symantec Security Response will not add a detection for the program in question. Jokes Jokes are programs that attempt to display something humorous or pretend to perform a malicious action. They are not a viruses, worms, or Trojans, and are not detected as such. If you received or installed a joke program, and you do not want to run it, we suggest that you uninstall or delete it. Adware Adware is a type of program that displays an advertisement of some sort, usually related to a specific Web site in your Web browser. In some cases, it changes the home page of your Web browser to point to a specific Web site. In most cases, some user interaction is required to install adware. You must either double-click the program to run it, or there is information on the Web site to inform you that it will install a program on your computer. (This information may not be obvious, however.) Because adware programs are not malicious, and are not viruses, worms, or Trojans, Norton AntiVirus does not detect them as such. Detecting nonmalicious programs such as jokes or adware could cause you to believe you have run or received a dangerous program when in fact you have not. Symantec Security Response recommends that you simply uninstall or delete such programs. If you think that you have received or run a program that may be malicious, but is not being detected by NAV, please follow the instructions in the document What to do if you suspect that your computer is infected with a virus, worm, or Trojan. Spyware Spyware is a generic term for a class of software designed to either gather information for marketing purposes or to deliver advertisements to Web pages. Although software of this type is legitimate, it can, in some cases, be installed on your computer without your knowledge. This poses privacy concerns for many people. Spyware basically comes in, but is not confined to, three forms: As software bundled and installed with another software application As a stand-alone installation package As a modification to the HTML of a Web page. When bundled, spyware installs as part of the installation of another software. You may or may not be made aware that this is happening. When installed as a stand-alone product, it often takes the form of a free downloadable tool, game, or utility. The general purpose of spyware is to gather information about your Internet surfing habits and deliver that information to its customers. That information, in turn, is used to deliver advertising that you (based on your Web surfing demographic) are most likely to respond to. Spyware programs, while they may be objectionable, are not malicious, and detecting them only leads to unnecessary virus alerts which could cause you to believe that you have run or received a dangerous program when you have not. Most spyware programs have Web sites, and many of these sites have privacy statements or FAQs that explain what they do and what types of information they collect. This information can assist you in making an informed decision on whether to keep or uninstall the spyware. NOTE: In many cases, when the spyware is installed with a utility or game you downloaded, you may have to uninstall the utility or game to uninstall the spyware. Spyware often bundles with free downloadable Internet programs such as Web browsers, browser enhancements, desktop utilities, browser theme packages, and games. Write-up by: Randy Rejda ~Freddie David C. Kruger, 1st Lt, USAF Chief, AFPCA Perimeter Defense 1777 North Kent Street Plaza Level, Suite 1500 Rosslyn, Virginia 22209 703-693-5755 DSN223-5755 Cell: 703-901-8401 david.kruger () pentagon af mil -----Original Message----- From: Carere, Courtney [mailto:CCarere () rich com] Sent: Friday, December 06, 2002 11:49 AM To: 'security-basics () securityfocus com' Subject: Adware, spyware, and trojans -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Upon reading "The Art of Deception" by Kevin Mitnick yesterday (an excellent book, by the way), he writes that most antivirus software does not detect spyware, which was a shock to me. Spyware seems to be defined as software that logs keystrokes, screenshots, user actions, etc. I have a couple of questions: 1. What's the distinction between spyware, adware, and trojan software? (My antivirus software says it protects against Trojans, and I've seen programs like SubSeven in its log files.) 2. Is there any good software that detects and removes spyware, ideally controlled and updated continuously from a central server? Thanks! - - Courtney Carere -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP 7.0.4 iQA/AwUBPfDTHHcM/5zG0KHEEQIcrACg73VSeTkX/ecvtX+HOWnFNCVNsUUAoMqs n4t8pKXIbtMIQaMiwRhLW/gN =4uWy -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
Current thread:
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans, (continued)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Gene (Dec 09)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Jill Tovey (Dec 06)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans aanet (Dec 06)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Shanon (Dec 09)
- RE: Adware, spyware, and trojans John Hendren (Dec 06)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Stokes Andy (Dec 06)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Emily Eileen Witcher (Dec 09)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans aanet (Dec 09)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Jay Stapleton (Dec 09)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Earl Heather (Dec 10)
- RE: Adware, spyware, and trojans Kruger, David, 1stLt, AFPCA/IAN (Dec 06)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Gene (Dec 09)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Chris Berry (Dec 06)
- RE: Adware, spyware, and trojans Garbrecht, Frederick (Dec 06)
- RE: Adware, spyware, and trojans Carere, Courtney (Dec 06)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Gene (Dec 09)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans Paul (Dec 06)
- RE: Adware, spyware, and trojans Mike Cole (Dec 06)
- RE: Adware, spyware, and trojans Peter Mueller (Dec 06)
- Re: Adware, spyware, and trojans KoRe MeLtDoWn (Dec 06)
- RE: Adware, spyware, and trojans Bruce.Orcutt (Dec 09)
(Thread continues...)