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Active Spyware ActiveX Control Adware Anti-spyware Software Anti-virus Software Bots Browser Helper Objects (BHOs) Browser hijackers Bundlers Chronic Spyware Commercial surveillance tools Cookies Dialers Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attack	Dormant Spyware Downloaders Drive-by Download End User License Agreement (EULA) Firewall Grayware IP address Keylogger LSP Peer-to-peer (P2P) Port Scanner Prevalence Privacy Policy Quarantined Applications	Remote Access Tools Security Software Severe Threat Level Spyware Spyware Components Trackware Tricklers Trojans URL Variant/Version Virus Vulnerabilities Worm

Active Spyware - Active spyware are spyware that currently run in a system.


ActiveX Control - ActiveX controls are downloadable, executable programs originally designed to add functionality to the Internet Explorer web browser. Some spyware varieties are identified as ActiveX controls, and are capable of redirecting users to affiliate sites, monitoring their computer activity, and crashing the browser.


Adware - Adware are programs that provide some form of advertising to the user, often through pop-ups or banner windows. Some are considered a nuisance when they go beyond reasonable system use, when they are present without user knowledge, or when they have not adequately informed the user about their effects. Some types monitor Internet activity and report to third parties, constantly display pop-up windows even when the user isn't online, and strain or crash systems.


Anti-spyware Software - Security software designed to protect systems from spyware and remove spyware applications that run in a system.


Anti-virus Software - Security software designed to protect systems from viruses and remove virus codes detected in a system.


Bots - Bots are programs designed to perform tasks in lieu of humans, like responding with a generic email. Hackers sometimes use bots to launch DDoS attacks after compromising a number of PCs.


Browser Helper Objects (BHOs) - Browser Helper Objects (BHOs) are programs originally conceived to add features and functionality to browsers. They run every time the Operating System browser is launched, and sometimes manifest themselves through added buttons or links. Some spyware varieties are BHOs, capable of redirecting users to affiliate sites, monitoring their computer activity, and crashing the browser.


Browser hijackers - Browser hijackers are programs that attempt to take control of a user's home page, search page or error page, and redirect them to a pre-determined location. They usually redirect the user to their sites or a site of an affiliate, some of which monitor surfing habits. Some kinds can change toolbars, crash browsers, or block out all sites except the ones they are affiliated with.


Bundlers - Bundlers are programs that install other applications or programs with them upon installation. Some types install these applications without the explicit user consent, and spread software generally unwanted by users. Spyware is known to be commonly bundled with otherwise harmless programs, like peer-to-peer applications.


Chronic Spyware - Chronic spyware programs are rare kinds of spyware designed to get past automatic scanning and removal processes. They run several processes at once, and continually launch new processes each time they are blocked.


Commercial surveillance tools - Commercial surveillance tools are applications that monitor computer use. Officially, they are used to track family members' or employees' computer activity. Unofficial use of these tools include spying over computer units or networks, monitoring sites visited, messenger or chat screens, emails, passwords and credit card numbers leading to identity theft, intrusion of privacy, and a host of other illegal activities.


Cookies - Cookies are pieces of information sent by web servers to browsers, designed to save data on computer hard drives, and make particular information available to the site when that particular unit revisits that Web site or an affiliated site. Some cookies are benign, helpful tools. However, some cookies perform spyware functions. See Trackware.


Dialers - Dialers are criminal applications that use your phone to dial premium rate numbers charged to your phone bill.


Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attack - A DDoS attack is an assault launched against a site or server by flooding it with requests, effectively shutting it down. This is typically launched using compromised PCs of Internet users. Attackers install applications that allow them to control PCs remotely, then bombard a server or site with requests from all infected computers, incapacitating it.


Dormant Spyware - Dormant spyware are spyware that do not perform tasks during an anti-spyware application scan.


Downloaders - Programs designed to retrieve and install additional files. Utilized by operating systems and security software, they help automate updates. Used by other programs, they make upgrading easier. However, some parties distribute unauthorized downloaders that retrieve spyware from certain locations and install it on an Internet user's PC.


Drive-by Download - A process by which software is downloaded by an Internet user without him or her initiating the download. This covert download process usually takes place when he/ she visits a web site or views an email in html format, and are usually made possible by system vulnerabilities and low security settings.


End User License Agreement (EULA) - The End User License Agreement is a document containing the terms and conditions of what a user can do with, and expect from, purchased software. Intended generally for licensing agreements and limitations for software use, some distributors stipulate that consent to the EULA entitles them to do a broad range of activities not specified anywhere else. Some companies use the EULA as the sole means of disclosure of a program's behaviors or bundling.


Firewall - Security software designed to filter and stop information sent and received through the Internet. It limits foreign access to a computer, and is typically used to keep networks secure.


Grayware - Grayware are defined as applications that have suspicious behavior, and may have potential for harm disproportional to their level of user consent. Grayware applications may leave operational files behind during uninstall, install tracking cookies without explicit permission, or be developed by spyware vendors.


IP address - The IP address is a unique identifier assigned to a specific computer in a network.


Keylogger - Keyloggers are surveillance software that capture a user's keystrokes. Commercially, they are used to monitor computing activity, i.e. at the workplace, parent's watching over their kids. They can also be used to steal passwords, credit card numbers, or any potentially valuable information by monitoring a computer user's keystrokes. Some variants have the ability to take screen shots, monitor and record computer activity, and send the information gathered to third parties.


LSP - Layered Service Provider is software that is inserted in the Windows TCP/IP handler, usually as a chain. Sometimes, applications install LSPs and when incorrectly removed, disable Internet access. Bad LSPs, usually installed by spyware, should be removed with great care.


Peer-to-peer (P2P) - Peer-to-peer(P2P) is a type of network that allows users with the same program to connect with each other and access files from one another's shared drives. P2P applications are useful tools, and they shorten the sharing process by eliminating the need for a centralized server or authority. However, some P2P applications have become common spyware distribution channels.


Port Scanner - A piece of software used to look for open ports in a computer network. System administrators use this to evaluate and increase network security. Attackers use it to probe for network security weaknesses.


Prevalence - Prevalence is the breadth of unique occurrences of a particular application, file, or component.


Privacy Policy - The privacy policy is a legally binding notice informing the user what information is collected, how it is being collected, how an individual can opt out, what security measures are being taken by the company collecting data, and what purposes the data being collected will serve, including how it will be used and with whom it will be shared with.


Quarantined Applications - Quarantined applications are isolated in a special folder so that the programs cannot harm your computer. Applications are incapacitated and when quarantined, but they can be restored.


Remote Access Tools - Remote Access Tools (RATs) are programs used to allow users outside a local network to log into, access and use resources on that network as if they were locally attached. In some cases, they are used to manipulate a computer from another computer. While there are several RAT programs that are used for legitimate purposes, malicious users may abuse these programs remotely control a computer to steal data, crash computer units, or lock the user out of his/her computer.


Security Software - These are programs designed to protect a system from various security threats, including worms, viruses, spyware and spam.


Severe Threat Level - Applications with severe threat levels cause serious harm to your system and your privacy. Severe applications should be removed immediately.


Spyware - Spyware is an application that performs surveillance, affects your privacy, or poses significant harm without appropriate consent in proportion to that harm.


Spyware Components - Spyware components are executable files, registry entries and other parts of the application that refer to BHOs, LSPs or Startups.


Trackware - Trackware are cookies or files that contain a uniquely identifiable signature that can be used to identify or track your online computing activity.


Tricklers - Tricklers are applications that download and reinstall a program after removal. They are typically used by spyware to restore components after PC users remove them.


Trojans - Trojans portray themselves as applications that perform tasks other than their intended functions upon execution. Once executed, they usually perform unauthorized actions undisclosed to the user prior to execution, in some cases destroying or stealing data, acquiring administrative privileges to the infected computer, crashing the system, or locking out a user of his/her computer.


URL - Uniform Resource Locator is the Internet address of resources or documents found on the Internet. Spyware-net's URL is www.spyware-net.com.


Variant/Version - This identifies the development of an application. Variants or versions are the "histories" of a particular application.


Virus - A self-replicating program that spreads by inserting copies of itself onto documents, files, or other programs. Some variants propagate so fast they cripple system resources, while others carry intentionally malicious code that allow attackers to control computers remotely, erase data, or make systems crash.


Vulnerabilities - Vulnerabilities are program exploits used by viruses, worms, spyware and other potentially unwanted software to get into a system.


Worm - A self-replicating code that does not need documents, files, or programs to attach itself onto in order to propagate. They usually spread through email or other file transmission capabilities found on networked computers. Most worms tax system resources, and some variants can alter and destroy programs and files.