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Be aware of Badware!
It seems that in the World Wide Web, nothing is what it seems and the latest addition to this rather infamous list is Badware. Badware is best described as software exhibiting deceptive behaviour and which is difficult to remove or exhibits undesired behaviour.
Badware is software that fundamentally disregards a user ’s choice regarding how his or her computer will be used. Common examples of badware include free screensavers that surreptitiously generate advertisements, malicious web browser toolbars that take your browser to different pages than the ones you expect, or keylogger programs that can transmit your personal data to malicious parties.
While some types of badware seem more annoying than dangerous, the consequences of badware infections can be quite harsh. Badware can cause computers to become slow, unresponsive, or even unusable. Some forms of badware steal resources instead of information, perhaps by adding your computer to a network of hijacked machines called a botnet, that can then use your computer to send spam and emails or even to help distribute more badware.
Badware producers are constantly developing new, creative ways to install badware onto your computer. Badware distribution has been expanded beyond traditional channels like email viruses to harder-to-avoid methods like automated drive-by downloads that are launched by compromised web pages.
Check out the reports of the most popular badwares that affect your system!
Drive Cleaner 2006
Drive Cleaner 2006 is a corrupt privacy protection program which deliberately erases Internet tracks, removes cookies, temporary files, etc. It gradually slows down the performance of the system. This application may change your Internet settings or redirect your default homepage to another website. Your computer can become unresponsive, or even unusable. Personal information can be abused, leading to identity theft.
Win Antivirus 2006
Win AntiVirus 2006 (Unregistered Version) automatically disables Windows Firewall without notifying to the user. It also fails to disclose to the user that the program will run automatically at start-up. It continuously runs in the systems tray on startup without the user having any knowledge of this activation or any control over disabling this function. It automatically downloads "spyware database updates" and "application updates" on the user's computer without the user's knowledge or consent.
Spyaxe
SpyAxe claims that it is "a Cyprus based developer of software and Internet-based systems." No address can currently be found on their website. We find that SpyAxe is badware because it fails to uninstall completely. It is difficult to exit without purchasing the full version of the product, and it interferes with computer use and modifies other software without disclosure.
Spyware Striker Pro
Spyware Striker Pro includes pop up threats that are typically installed without adequate notice to the user. It makes unwanted changes on your PC and may include threats such as advertising related add ons, such as toolbars, search bars, or inserting advertising related components. The components may block the preferred network connections and create a negative impact on your system's performance.
UnSpyPC
UnSpyPC would affect your PC by monitoring your surfing habits. These softwares are much more potential than the user. It pretends to be an anti-spyware and gradually intends in destroying your personal computer completely. These trojans will not replicate itself as the viruses do, but slows down the performance of your computer and infects your system with an unwanted software.
ALDI Photo Manager
ALDI Photo Manager suppresses the presence of the principal and significant features of the bundled ALDI Photo Service, ALDI Print Service, or Firebird SQL Server applications. Once it is installed, uninstalling ALDI Photo Manager does not remove the additional applications that are bundled with the ALDI Photo Manager installer, including Firebird SQL Server, which is not identified in the Add/Remove Programs menu as being related to ALDI in any way.
Real Player
RealPlayer 10.5 and 11.0 is bad because it fails to accurately and completely disclose that it installs advertising software on the user's computer. The advertising software bundled with RealPlayer is misleadingly called a 'message center', and is described incompletely and inconspicuously as software designed to provide useful software updates. It does not disclose the fact that it installs Rhapsody Player Engine software, and fails to remove this software when RealPlayer is uninstalled.
FreeWire
The FreeWire comes with an installer which allows the user to choose from a host of applications to install (namely, 180Solutions n-CASE and Bargain Buddy). However, it also installs several applications -- including BookedSpace, Downloadware, HitBox, Lycos Sidesearch, and Pacimedia -- without either the users consent or knowledge. Many of the additional unwanted applications that get installed along with freewire run in the background and cannot be easily closed.
Winfixer
Winfixer is a part of scare ware rogue security programs developed by ‘Winsoftware’ which claim to repair computer system problems on Microsoft Windows computers if a user purchases the full version of the software. This software typically use aggressive, deceptive advertising and may be installed without adequate notice and consent, often through exploits. The software is mainly installed without the user's consent.
ABC Scrabble
The use of peer-to-peer (P2P) programs or other applications using a shared network also exposes the system to the risk of unwillingly downloading infected files, including malicious programs like ABC Scrabble. This may swamp your computer with pestering popup ads, even when you're not connected to the Internet, while secretly tracking your browsing habits and gathering your personal information.
Kazza
One of the bundled software which gets installed along with Kazaa is The Best Offers Network. This application cannot be stopped or closed by the normal user and one has to use the Windows task manager to stop the process. The uninstall process does not eliminate all applications and components related to Kazaa. Some parts like executables and system components remain on the computer even after uninstall including the Kazaa Plus Installer.
Uniscope Toolbars
The Uniscope Toolbars deceive the users to be an anti-spyware and succeed in destroying your PC. These malicious programs would annoy you in displaying popups or advertisements on your PC. These toolbars also intend in inserting the search engine results as advertisements, placed by the toolbars.
Anti Vir Protect / Anti Spyware Shield
Anti Vir Protect deceives you with false threats of spyware infections, while slowing down the performance of your PC. One of the main objective of these badwares is to scare you of anticipated attack from virus thereby prompting you to buy the full version of the software. Once these attackers installs itself onto your system, the malicious softwares starts harassing you with the popups or advertisements.
Performance Optimizer
PerformanceOptimizer, a product of SellMosoft, shows the characteristics of a badware by silently installing the pre-installer in your PC without your consent. It frequently displays pop-ups for additional softwares and updates prompting you to download other badwares or the full version of the software.
Popcorn.net
Popcorn.net qualifies with respect to all the attributes of badware. It allows third party access to the user’s computer thereby compromising the users privacy and security. Secondly the undisclosed installation of adware unnecessarily slows down and affects the performance of the user’s system.