Key loggers are software application (or hardware based as well) which are able to capture the key logging events and can mail them to remote intruder via email. These are invisible and undetectable to users so there is a huge risk of sending important information such as credit card numbers passwords to the remote intruders. The set program can be combined with useful applications like that whenever user install that application the key logger program also get installed along with that application.
Bots
The term Bot is derived from the word “Robot”. Robot comes from the Czech word "robot," which means "worker". In computer world Bot is a generic term used to describe an automated process.
Bots are being used widely on the Internet for various purposes. Bot functionality may vary from search engines to game bots and IRC channel bots. Google bot is one such famous search bot, which crawls through the web pages on the net to collect information and build database to enable variety of searches. Computer controlled opponents and enemies in multiple player video games are also a kind of bot, where the computer process tries to emulate the human behavior.
However, the usage of bots is not limited to good purpose only. Bots are widely used to perform malicious activities ranging from information stealing to using as a launching pad for distributed attack. Such software’s gets installed on user’s computer without their knowledge. Some bot infected machines, pass the control of the machine to a remote attacker and act as per the attackers command. Such machines are popularly known as zombie machines.
Adware and Spyware
Adware is 'freeware', whereby ads are embedded in the program. These ads will show up whenever user opens the program. Most adware authors provide the free version with ads and a registered version whereby the ads are disabled. As such, the users have the choice, either to use the freeware with ads served or purchase the registered version. Spyware, as the name suggest is the software installed on user’s computer which is constantly sending user information to the mother website.
Spyware, however, is published as 'freeware' or as 'adware', but the fact that an analysis and tracking program (the 'spyware' agent, which reports user’s activities to the advertising providers' web site for storage and analysis) is also installed on user’s system when a user install this so-called 'freeware', and this is usually not mentioned. Even though the name may indicate so, spyware is not an illegal type of software. But what the adware and spyware providers do with the collected information and what they're going to 'feed' the user with, is beyond his control. And in some cases it all happens without the user’s consent.
Bots
The term Bot is derived from the word “Robot”. Robot comes from the Czech word "robot," which means "worker". In computer world Bot is a generic term used to describe an automated process.
Bots are being used widely on the Internet for various purposes. Bot functionality may vary from search engines to game bots and IRC channel bots. Google bot is one such famous search bot, which crawls through the web pages on the net to collect information and build database to enable variety of searches. Computer controlled opponents and enemies in multiple player video games are also a kind of bot, where the computer process tries to emulate the human behavior.
However, the usage of bots is not limited to good purpose only. Bots are widely used to perform malicious activities ranging from information stealing to using as a launching pad for distributed attack. Such software’s gets installed on user’s computer without their knowledge. Some bot infected machines, pass the control of the machine to a remote attacker and act as per the attackers command. Such machines are popularly known as zombie machines.
Adware and Spyware
Adware is 'freeware', whereby ads are embedded in the program. These ads will show up whenever user opens the program. Most adware authors provide the free version with ads and a registered version whereby the ads are disabled. As such, the users have the choice, either to use the freeware with ads served or purchase the registered version. Spyware, as the name suggest is the software installed on user’s computer which is constantly sending user information to the mother website.
Spyware, however, is published as 'freeware' or as 'adware', but the fact that an analysis and tracking program (the 'spyware' agent, which reports user’s activities to the advertising providers' web site for storage and analysis) is also installed on user’s system when a user install this so-called 'freeware', and this is usually not mentioned. Even though the name may indicate so, spyware is not an illegal type of software. But what the adware and spyware providers do with the collected information and what they're going to 'feed' the user with, is beyond his control. And in some cases it all happens without the user’s consent.
