Spyware

Software that collects private information/monitors user behaviour secretly

The term 'spyware' essentially covers any software that gathers information and passes it to a third party without adequate permission from the owner of the data.

It may also be used in a wider sense, to include software that makes changes to a system or any of its component software, or which makes use of system resources without the full understanding and consent of the system owner.

Glossary


	Similar entries Adware Appender Backdoor Blended threat Boot sector virus Bot Botnet Cavity filler Chain letter Clicker Companion virus Data diddler DDoS Dialler Dictionary attack Directory harvesting DoS Downloader Drive-by download Exploit File infector virus Fork bomb Hoax Intended virus Joke Keylogger Logic bomb Macro virus Malware Mass-mailer Metamorphic virus Mid-infector Misinfection Multipartite virus Password stealer Pharming Polymorphic virus Prepender Ransomware Rootkit Smurf attack Trojan Virus Wabbit Worm Zip bomb Zombie See also Glossary Resources

Quick Links

Poll

The Japanese government is reported to have commissioned a 'defensive virus'. Is 'defensive' malware ever a good idea?
Leave a comment
View 11 comments

VB100 certification


	This month's VB100 test saw some major changes and a radical overhaul of the VB100 test methodology - for the first time allowing products to use their 'cloud' look-up systems. John Hawes has all the details. See full results.

Virus Bulletin currently has 224,238 registered users.

Fighting malware and spam

Spyware

See also