Other Threats

 

A Remote Administration Trojan, or RAT, is a Trojan that when executed, provides an attacker with the capability of remotely controlling a machine to gain information or to alter your computer for his/her own use. Often RATs are used to create a base from which to launch an attack on a more substantial target, such as a bank or the government, without risking exposure to criminal prosecution, by using the victim as a shield. List of Remote Access threats from the Symantec website List of Remote Access threats from the PestPatrol website

 

A Backdoor is hidden code that is used to bypass the computer's security to allow unauthorized access to the system. Backdoors are delivered and installed in two ways. The first are Trojan-like, hiding in, and installed along with, another application. The second are usually spread by worms carrying them as their payload. List of Backdoor threats from the PestPatrol website

 

Cracking Tools Tools used by a hacker to gain unauthorized access to your computer. One example of a hack tool is a keystroke logger, a program that tracks and records individual keystrokes, stealing passwords and PIN numbers, and sends this information back to the hacker. List of cracking tools from the Symantec website List of cracking tools from the PestPatrol website A sampling of offerings from several spyware vendors:    ExploreAnywhere    SpyTech    Invisible Keylogger

 

Keystroke Loggers are Trojans that, upon execution, log every keystroke or activity in a system to capture passwords and other sensitive personal information from unsuspecting users. Keyloggers are often installed as a component of Spyware. List of Keystroke Logger threats from the PestPatrol website List of Password Capture threats from the PestPatrol website

 

Dialers or "Modem Hijackers" are Trojans that, upon execution, dial out through the Internet to a location that bills you by-the-minute for the call without your permission or knowledge. More information about dialers is available from Wikipedia's dialer web page. List of dialer threats from the Symantec website List of dialer threats from the PestPatrol website

 

Joke Programs change or interrupt the normal behavior of your computer, creating a general distraction or nuisance. Joke programs can also carry Trojans and be mass-mailed (Spam), then installed on the victim's computer when the recipient activates them by double-clicking. List of Joke Programs from the Symantec website

 

Hostile ActiveX / Hostile Java / Hostile Script: An ActiveX control and Java applets small, portable Java programs embedded in a Web page which run automatically when the page is viewed. ActiveX controls and Java applets allow Web developers to create interactive, dynamic Web pages with enhanced functionality. However, hackers may use ActiveX and Java malicious code as a vehicle to attack the system. In many cases, the Web browser can be configured so that these ActiveX and Java do not execute by changing the browser's security settings to "high". To remove malicious ActiveX controls or Java applets, you just need to delete them. A script is a text file that is executed by Microsoft WScript or Microsoft Scripting Host. Script viruses are written in a script programming languages, such as VBScript (Visual Basic Script) or JavaScript, and use Microsoft's Windows Scripting Host to activate themselves and infect other files. The viruses are activated when the victim double-clicks a file (often an email attachment) with a .VBS, .WSH, .JS, .HTA, .JSE, or .VBE extension. List of ActiveX threats from the PestPatrol website List of Java threats from the PestPatrol website List of Script threats from the PestPatrol website

 

A Web Beacon, also called a "pixel tag" or "clear GIF", is a (typically) transparent graphic image (usually 1 pixel x 1 pixel) that is placed on a site or in an email, so small and clear that it is effectively invisible. Web beacons are small strings of code that enable the delivery of a graphic image (e.g., the "clear GIF") on a webpage or in an email message for the purpose of transferring data. Web beacons are used by legitimate businesses websites, in combination with cookies, to "better understand" (monitor) the "interests" (activities) of their "customers" (website visitors). Web Beacons can actually "do" many different things, ranging from delivering cookies and reporting site traffic, to downloading applications, and even monitoring whether a particular email has been opened or forwarded. The data collected can be either personally identifiable or not, depending upon the purpose for which the beacon is used.