Adware refers to programs that display advertising using any means: pop-ups, banners, changes to the browser home page or search page, etc. The advertisements could be associated with the products or services offered by the creator of the program or by third-parties. Adware can be installed in a number of ways, on some occasions without users' consent, and either with or without users' knowledge of its function. It captures certain information entered or saved by the user, with the corresponding threat to privacy:
. It affects productivity, preventing tasks from being carried out: - In the affected computer:
it displays pop-up windows.
- In the local network:
it generates a large amount of network activity and consumes bandwidth.
It uses stealth techniques to avoid being detected by the user: - It uses techniques included in its code to hide itself while it is active.
SpySoldier does not spread automatically using its own means. It needs an attacking user's intervention in order to reach the affected computer. The means of transmission used include, among others, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, email messages with attached files, Internet downloads, FTP, IRC channels, peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing networks, etc. |