What can spyware do?

[Adrian]

Hi,
Can I ask what can a spyware do? I heard that it can capture the website
you visit, right? What else can it do? Can it steal my password? Can it
steal my credit card number? Will it slow down my computer? How does it
installed into my computer?
Also, I encountered a browser hijack before, and I have to type the
website address in the hijacker's search engine in order to visit other
website; and at that time, I visited my bank website and entered my credit
card number, will they capture it?

Thx,
Adrian

[Kelly]

Evil minds, do evil things, Adrian. Why borrow worry? Just be cautious and
use secure sites. There are many horror stories out there.

--
All the Best,
Kelly

Microsoft-MVP Windows® XP

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm


"Adrian" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
> Can I ask what can a spyware do? I heard that it can capture the website
> you visit, right? What else can it do? Can it steal my password? Can it
> steal my credit card number? Will it slow down my computer? How does it
> installed into my computer?
> Also, I encountered a browser hijack before, and I have to type the
> website address in the hijacker's search engine in order to visit other
> website; and at that time, I visited my bank website and entered my credit
> card number, will they capture it?
>
> Thx,
> Adrian
>
>

[E McCann]

Spyware can do any number of things, from just being there and slowing down
your system, to capturing personal information, to popping up ads, modifying
the websites you see... you name it...


"Adrian" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
> Can I ask what can a spyware do? I heard that it can capture the website
> you visit, right? What else can it do? Can it steal my password? Can it
> steal my credit card number? Will it slow down my computer? How does it
> installed into my computer?
> Also, I encountered a browser hijack before, and I have to type the
> website address in the hijacker's search engine in order to visit other
> website; and at that time, I visited my bank website and entered my credit
> card number, will they capture it?
>
> Thx,
> Adrian
>
>


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.631 / Virus Database: 404 - Release Date: 3/17/2004

[Adrian]

Hi,
When you said capturing personal information, does it mean anything I
typed in? Like username, password, credit card detail etc.

Thx
Adrian

"E McCann" > wrote in message
...
> Spyware can do any number of things, from just being there and slowing
down
> your system, to capturing personal information, to popping up ads,
modifying
> the websites you see... you name it...
>
>
> "Adrian" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi,
> > Can I ask what can a spyware do? I heard that it can capture the
website
> > you visit, right? What else can it do? Can it steal my password? Can it
> > steal my credit card number? Will it slow down my computer? How does it
> > installed into my computer?
> > Also, I encountered a browser hijack before, and I have to type the
> > website address in the hijacker's search engine in order to visit other
> > website; and at that time, I visited my bank website and entered my
credit
> > card number, will they capture it?
> >
> > Thx,
> > Adrian
> >
> >
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.631 / Virus Database: 404 - Release Date: 3/17/2004
>
>

[MAP]

Yes,depending on what's installed it can do all that you
have inquired about.These three (free) programs are a
must.
http://www.safer-networking.org/ Spybot
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
http://www.lavasoft.de/ Ad-aware

Go to this limk to learn all that you ever want to know
about spy/adware www.spywareinfo.com
while you are there also download CWS (cool web shedder)
the normal download/update site is down at the moment.

to get your credit card # and/or passwords a trojan is
usally installed if your system is clean of them you may
not need to worry.
>-----Original Message-----
>Hi,
> When you said capturing personal information, does it
mean anything I
>typed in? Like username, password, credit card detail
etc.
>
>Thx
>Adrian
>
>"E McCann" >
wrote in message
...
>> Spyware can do any number of things, from just being
there and slowing
>down
>> your system, to capturing personal information, to
popping up ads,
>modifying
>> the websites you see... you name it...
>>
>>
>> "Adrian" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > Hi,
>> > Can I ask what can a spyware do? I heard that it
can capture the
>website
>> > you visit, right? What else can it do? Can it steal
my password? Can it
>> > steal my credit card number? Will it slow down my
computer? How does it
>> > installed into my computer?
>> > Also, I encountered a browser hijack before, and I
have to type the
>> > website address in the hijacker's search engine in
order to visit other
>> > website; and at that time, I visited my bank website
and entered my
>credit
>> > card number, will they capture it?
>> >
>> > Thx,
>> > Adrian
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>> ---
>> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
>> Checked by AVG anti-virus system
(http://www.grisoft.com).
>> Version: 6.0.631 / Virus Database: 404 - Release Date:
3/17/2004
>>
>>
>
>
>.
>

[How about an original opinion please]

On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 17:18:28 +1000, "Adrian" > wrote:

>Hi,
> Can I ask what can a spyware do? I heard that it can capture the website
>you visit, right? What else can it do? Can it steal my password? Can it
>steal my credit card number? Will it slow down my computer? How does it
>installed into my computer?
> Also, I encountered a browser hijack before, and I have to type the
>website address in the hijacker's search engine in order to visit other
>website; and at that time, I visited my bank website and entered my credit
>card number, will they capture it?
>
>Thx,
>Adrian

Adrian,

For a very good answer to your questions, read the excellent FAQ article in
alt.privacy.spyware. Just search for "FAQ".

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.