Listed are a few examples of common spywares:
Internet Cookies: A cookie is a piece of information sent by a web server to a web browser. Cookies are basically meant to monitor the activities of visitors to a particular website and usually include details as to which pages have been visited, for how long and how frequently. Some examples of cookies include, Hitbox, a cookie used to sell more products and services, 207, which is a sort of tracking cookie, Mediaplex, used to deliver advertisements and marketing messages over internet and DoubleClick, used to gather general surfing information about the user.
Adware: This is also known as ‘advertising-supported software’ and it displays advertisements while the program is already running. These ads are displayed in pop-up windows or through a bar appearing on the screen. There are a whole lot of software applications available that can help you block these pop-up adware.
Hijackers: These are one of the worst of spywares. These may get installed on your computer whenever you visit some site, that too without your slightest knowledge. It is usually difficult to detect the file causing problem on your system, but, through some alertness you can at least detect that your system has been infiltrated by some hijack program. One of the hints is when you try to open Internet Explorer and a completely different page pops up on your screen.
Some other spyware examples include:
- Keyloggers
- Form Fillers
- Trackware
- Downloader