Spyware: gathers data, such as account user names and passwords, and transmits them to third parties
Adware: displays advertisements and gathers data, such as user Web surfing preferences, to target advertisements to the user through a Web browser
Dialers: change computer Internet settings and can force a computer to dial pre-configured phone numbers through a modem
Joke Programs: cause abnormal computer behavior, such as closing and opening the CD-ROM tray and displaying numerous message boxes
Hacking Tools: help hackers enter computers
Remote Access Tools: help hackers remotely access and control computers
Password Cracking Applications: help hackers decipher account user names and passwords
Others: other types not covered above
Spyware/grayware often gets into a corporate network when users download legitimate software that have grayware applications included in the installation package. Most software programs include an End User License Agreement (EULA), which the user has to accept before downloading. Often the EULA does include information about the application and its intended use to collect personal data; however, users often overlook this information or do not understand the legal jargon.
The existence of spyware and other types of grayware on your network have the potential to introduce the following:
Reduced computer performance: to perform their tasks, spyware/grayware applications often require significant CPU and system memory resources
Increased Web browser-related crashes: certain types of grayware, such as adware, are often designed to create pop-up windows or display information in a browser frame or window. Depending on how the code in these applications interacts with system processes, grayware can sometimes cause browsers to crash or freeze and may even require a system reboot.
Reduced user efficiency: by needing to close frequently occurring pop-up advertisements and deal with the negative effects of joke programs, users can be unnecessarily distracted from their main tasks
Degradation of network bandwidth: spyware/grayware applications often regularly transmit the data they collect to other applications running on your network or to locations outside of your network
Loss of personal and corporate information: not all data that spyware/grayware applications collect is as innocuous as a list of Web sites users visit. Spyware/grayware can also collect the user names and passwords users type to access their personal accounts, such as a bank account, and corporate accounts that access resources on your network.
Higher risk of legal liability: if computer resources on your network are hijacked, hackers may be able to utilize your client computers to launch attacks or install spyware/grayware on computers outside your network. The participation of your network resources in these types of activities could leave your organization legally liable to damages incurred by other parties.