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Sunbelt Software Announces Top Ten Spyware Threats for May

 

WebKnowHow
Thursday, June 8, 2006; 09:32 AM

Sunbelt Software, provider of Windows security software, announced the top ten most prevalent spyware threats for the month of May. The results are based on the monthly scans performed by Sunbelt's award-winning antispyware product CounterSpy.

The top ten most prevalent spyware threats for the month of May:

1. DesktopScam

This program is used to trick the affected user into purchasing certain security applications.

2. SpyFalcon

SpyFalcon is a purported antispyware application that scans for and removes spyware from users' computers. SpyFalcon is known to be distributed through exploits that also download adware/spyware on users' computers without notice or consent.

3. 180search Assistant

180search Assistant logs the web pages you visit, when you visit them and uploads the data to its servers.

4. Virtumonde

Virtumonde is an adware program that displays pop-up advertisements on the desktop and also downloads other software from various remote servers. There are many variants of Virtumonde, some with trojan-like behaviors including downloading other software without notice and consent, transmitting information to remote servers without notice and consent, and lowering system security on the infected machine.

5. Looking-For.Home Search Assistant

Home Search Assistant is an Internet Explorer browser helper object (BHO) that changes the user's home page and modifies search results. It also spawns pop-ups on the desktop.

6. IEPlugin

IEPlugin is an IE Browser Helper Object that monitors site addresses, content entered into forms, and even local filenames browsed, and pops up advertisements when it sees a targeted keyword.

7. AvenueMedia.InternetOptimizer

Internet Optimizer, also known as DyFuCA, is an adware application that hijacks the user's browser error page. It opens pop-up windows to display ads from its network sites periodically, also is known to update itself. The 'DyFuCA Active Alert' component can open pop-up 'alerts' when directed by its controlling server at http://www.internet-optimizer.com. This software has been seen to download without notice/consent, bundled with other adware/spyware, during security exploits.

8. Command Service

Command Service is an adware application that opens pop-ups and displays various types of advertising on the user's desktop while browsing web pages. Command Service is installed by a number of drive-by downloaders, including IE-Plugin.

9. Media-Codec

Media-Codec is a trojan that installs rogue security software on the infected machine without notice and consent. It purports to be a needed codec or upgrade to Windows Media Player when users attempt to watch certain adult/porn videos to trick the user into downloading it. Once downloaded, it contacts remote servers and initiates the download of rogue security software such as SpywareQuake.

10. iSearch.DesktopSearch

iSearch.DesktopSearch is a browser plug-in that adds a pop-out search box to the Windows system tray and spawns "in-page" browser pop-ups when the user visits search sites.

 


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