Example of a phishing e-mail message, including a deceptive URL address linking to a scam Web site
Data miner
The application is designed to collect information about the user and
does so actively. This may or may not include transmission of the information
to a remote server, but the server is owned by the company producing the
detected application and more importantly, the information collected is
disclosed to the user via privacy policy and/or licensing.
Malware
These are malicious software designed to do harm to a user's system
or to other systems that is not specifically a VIRUS.
Monitoring Tool
This category includes remote access Trojans (RATs), Root Kits, etc.
Vulnerability
The application employs the use of system and/or security
vulnerabilities to install on a system and to operate.
Misc
This category is for use with applications that do not fall within
the other categories but are noteworthy for the user due to matching criteria
listed in the TAC. The criteria however do not point in the direction of a
specific detection category.
Dialer
The application is designed to change the user's DUN (Dial Up
Networking) settings to dial numbers that the user does not know about, to
connect to a number in stealth, and/or to avoid being detected by the user
such as dialing expensive connections where the user has not authorized the
connection.
Worm
This is a self-replicating virus, Trojan, and/or virus designed to
propagate across many systems and/or networks. While Ad-Aware does include
some well know virus, Trojan, and worm content, it is not an antivirus or
antitrojan solution so it is important to make sure that you have a specific
solution installed on your system and/or network.
MRU
This is a listing of the Most Recently Used lists stored in your
registry. They are harmless and consist only of things such as the most recent
document you opened. They are included in Ad-Aware due to requests from users
and to highlight the fact that they are harmless where some antispyware
applications will list them as being potentially harmful in an attempt to
appear to detect more content than they actually do.
Spyware
These applications collect information, may or may not install in
stealth, and are designed to transmit that information to 2nd, or 3rd parties
covertly employing the user's connection without their consent and knowledge.
The word defines the actual intent; this is software (ware) that is designed
to collect information in secret (spy).
Adware
This is content that is designed to display advertising to the user
that may not be expected or wanted. While some also categorize advertising
applications that may include tracking features or capabilities as Adware, we
place them within more descriptive categories such as Trackware or Data Miner
to provide more information to the user. Most often included in freeware
bundles or as additional (and/or required) content with shareware. Adware is
generally innocuous and consumers may want to remove this content if they no
longer wish to receive the advertising content. They may wish to keep them
though if the programs are required for the use of a host application.
Trackware
This category is separate from Data Miners in that it is passive in nature.
This category can and does include content such as tracking cookies and those
that collect only anonymous information like GUID's and/or sites visited, etc
and does not include personally identifiable information.
Exploit
The application employs the use of a software or system exploit to
install and/or operate.
Keylogger
This category is for applications that are designed to record and/or transmit
keystroke information.
Annoyware
This is a special type of Adware that causes an excessive number of popups/popunders,
is designed to force advertising even when not connected to the internet, can
cause noticeable system and/or bandwidth slowdowns, and in general is
intrusive to the point of frustrating the system user.
Hijacker
These applications are designed to hijack the user's home page, HOSTS file,
browser favorites, chosen search engine, and/or system settings.
Virus
A virus is a self replicating program designed to inject itself into other
programs and causes harm to the system it is installed on. This can include
damaging files, folders, directory structures, and even erasure of the
complete hard drive. While Ad-Aware does include some well known virus
content, it is not an antivirus solution. It is important to make sure that
you have an antivirus specific solution installed on your system and/or
network.
E-Mail scams
Pharming: Is your trusted Web site a clever fake?
"Pharming" is when criminal hackers redirect Internet traffic from one Web site to a different, identical-looking site in order to trick you into entering your user name and password into the database on their fake site. Banking or similar financial sites are often the target of these attacks, in which criminals try to acquire your personal information in order to access your bank account, steal your identity, or commit other kinds of fraud in your name.
The use of faked Web sites may make pharming sound similar to e-mail phishing scams, but pharming is more insidious, since you can be redirected to a false site without any participation or knowledge on your part.
To date, there have been few documented attacks, and maintaining the integrity of the Web is very high on the list for governments and businesses. It's also important to remember that the Web is free and public resource, akin in many ways to a library, mall, or other public services where you live. For most people, the advantages to going out to shop, conduct business, do research, socialize and so on, far outweigh the dangers and unpredictability of being in a public space.
If you notice something suspicious about a trusted Web site, report it—by telephone if possible—to the business or site owner. It may be a normal glitch or a new update, or it may be a mistake a criminal has made when trying to duplicate a Web site. This article on phishing scams provides some tips on how to tell if a Web site might be a fake.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into your Inbox, there's a new form of spam e-mail on the horizon. This spam is more than just unwanted and annoying. It could lead to the theft of your credit card numbers, passwords, account information, or other personal data. Read on to find out more about this new identity theft scam and to learn how to help protect your privacy.
What is a phishing scam?
Phishing is a type of deception designed to steal your identity. In phishing scams, scam artists try to get you to disclose valuable personal data—like credit card numbers, passwords, account data, or other information—by convincing you to provide it under false pretenses. Phishing schemes can be carried out in person or over the phone, and are delivered online through spam e-mail or pop-up windows.
A phishing scam sent by e-mail may start with con artists who send millions of e-mail messages that appear to come from popular Web sites or sites that you trust, like your bank or credit card company. The e-mail messages, pop-up windows, and the Web sites they link to appear official enough that they deceive many people into believing that they are legitimate. Unsuspecting people too often respond to these requests for their credit card numbers, passwords, account information, or other personal data.
As scam artists become more sophisticated, so do their phishing e-mail messages and pop-up windows. They often include official-looking logos from real organizations and other identifying information taken directly from legitimate Web sites.
The following is an example of what a phishing scam e-mail message might look like.
Example of a phishing e-mail message, including a deceptive URL address linking to a scam Web site
To make these phishing e-mail messages look even more legitimate, the scam artists may place a link in them that appears to go to the legitimate Web site (1), but it actually takes you to a phony scam site (2) or possibly a pop-up window that looks exactly like the official site. These copycat sites are also called "spoofed" Web sites. Once you're at one of these spoofed sites, you might unwittingly send personal information to the con artists. They then often use your information to purchase goods, apply for a new credit card, or otherwise steal your identity.
Some of the Signs of a spyware infection.
If your computer starts to behave strangely or displays any of the symptoms listed below, you may have spyware or other unwanted software installed on your computer.
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I see pop-up advertisements all the time. Some unwanted software will bombard you with pop-up ads that aren't related to a particular Web site you're visiting. These ads are often for adult or other Web sites you may find objectionable. If you see pop-up ads as soon as you turn on your computer or when you're not even browsing the Web, you may have spyware or other unwanted software on your computer. |
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My settings have changed and I can't change them back to the way they were. Some unwanted software has the ability to change your home page or search page settings. This means that the page that opens first when you start your Internet browser or the page that appears when you select "search" may be pages that you do not recognize. Even if you know how to adjust these settings, you may find that they revert back every time you restart your computer. |
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My Web browser contains additional components that I don't remember downloading. Spyware and other unwanted software can add additional toolbars to your Web browser that you don't want or need. Even if you know how to remove these toolbars, they may return each time you restart your computer. |
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My computer seems sluggish. Spyware and other unwanted software are not necessarily designed to be efficient. The resources these programs use to track your activities and deliver advertisements can slow down your computer and errors in the software can make your computer crash. If you notice a sudden increase in the number of times a certain program crashes, or if your computer is slower than normal at performing routine tasks, you may have spyware or other unwanted software on your machine. |