What is a Spyware?
A Spyware is a small software designed by a hacker who has good software programming knowledge. The aim is to steal the Internet banking User names, Passwords, Credit card and Debit card numbers etc from the computers of an unsuspecting online shopper. The spyware works in a stealth mode and the user never comes to know that his Credit Card or Internet banking details has been stolen and transmitted to the hacker online. He comes to know only when his money in the bank starts reducing or his credit card balance is over. By then it is too late to react.
How does Spyware Infect a PC or Laptop?
A Spyware gets installed in your computer without your knowledge. The Spyware infection usually happens within five minutes of connecting your PC or Laptop to the internet for the very first time. The Spyware is usually hidden into some freeware software or device driver installers etc that you download online. Often they infect a PC when you just visit a bad website. The hackers know the security loopholes in Internet explorer and Firefox etc which they use to enter your computer without you downloading any thing. When you install this downloaded freeware the spyware also gets installed and starts running either immediately or after the next restart. Some of these Spyware can run as a genuine Windows service and even a computer user with adequate knowledge may fail to detect these services. Some people who never ever have used a Credit card online or don't even know how to use internet banking also gets infected with Spyware in their computers.
How does Spyware send Data to Online Hackers?
Spyware is designed to capture every keyboard stroke that you press, get the details and address of every webpage that you visit, and also capture whatever you copy and paste. These information is put into a small text file or a binary file which ensures a very small file size less than 1 kb and transmitting this file will take only a fraction of a second. Amazingly, the hackers are very intelligent and bent on getting your sensitive and important data and will go to any extent. Some Spyware cannot be deleted even using Windows task manager. The data continues to be collected by Spyware even when you are not connected to the internet. And the next time you connect your PC to the internet, there goes your stolen sensitive data to the hacker. And you never knew all this happened till you see your bank money stolen or your credit card limit has reached.
Why Spyware is used to Steal Email ID & Passwords?
Even if a hacker is able to steal your Email ID and Password using a Spyware, you are in great danger. The hacker can use your Email ID and Password to log into your email account and start to send fake emails to all your friends email id existing in your email address book. A hacker can even send out threatening emails to anyone using from your email account. There are many software available that allows you to send emails without even logging into any email host. For example if the hacker sends out a threat using your email id as the from address to say, your country's president, the police could come and put you behind bars. How are you going to prove that it is not you who sent out that email?
Case Study - How Spyware was used to Make Money off a Doctor
This is a true story how a hacker made money off a Doctor using a Spyware. There was an Indian doctor whose email ID and PW were stolen by a hacker probably using a spyware and the hacker sent out a message to all his affluent friends asking for money as he is going through a bad phase in life financially. Most friends sent huge amounts to help him into a paypal account the hacker gave in the email. Then when a few of his friends abroad started asking him about his problems, the doctor stated that he has no problems and he has never sent out any such emails. This is a true story and the hacker was caught thanks to his stupidity of giving out his paypal account for the free money to pour in. So before it is too late Install a Good Internet Security Software in your Computer.
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