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Spyware Most Prevalent Through Adware

ActiveScan, the online solution from PandaLabs has detected adware in nearly 64 percent of spyware in January 2007. spyware found today has three sub-categories: spyware itself, Adware and PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs).

The adware category of spyware displays advertising banners while the program runs on the system. The adware developers add another code that presents the ad, which is visible on the pop-up windows or on a bar that shows up on the computer screen. The spyware users justify the adware as helping to make up the cost of developing the program and to minimize the user's cost.

Spyware works to gather information about users' online behavior such as the websites they visit, the searches they make on the search engines, and so on but does not project any advertisements. This sub-category accounted for 6.5 percent of all spyware in January 2007.

The third sub-category, PUP is a software that may be undesirable even if the users might have allowed its download. PUPs comprise of spyware, adware and dialers and are often bundled with a program that users intend to download. PUPs were responsible for 26 percent of the spyware.

Gatar was the most active spyware in January 2007 occupying the first position in the 'Top Ten' List. This adware offers a free application when it displays certain ads. Lop is in the second place on the adware list, jumping from the eighth spot in January 2007 to the second spot in February 2007.

MyWebSearch has taken the third place in the Top Ten. It is a PUP that displays a search bar in Internet Explorer. Winantivirus 2006 is a family of several variants and in the fourth place. NCase came down from the third place last month to the sixth in February 2007. Another adware program, SaveNow ranks seventh on the list. The next malicious code, VideoActiveXObject records users' browsing activities and displays ads in order of their preferences.

The last adware in February 2007 rankings are Cws and SpySheriff. These use pop-ups, banners and other short displays that show adverts for their authors or other parties.

Related article: Spyware Detection Programs Track Advertisers’ Cookies

» SPAMfighter News - 2/28/2007

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