Next Gen Spyware: Parasiteware

Whether you know it or not, there are numerous invisible threats roaming the internet, all of which will attempt to make their way into your computer.  One infection that has been recently impacting more users is a program known as parasiteware, a member of the spyware family. 

Parasiteware usually isn't consider malicious, though several programmers will use it to gather attention and make money at your expense. 

How Parasiteware Functions

While some people configure their web browsers to reflect themes of their liking, others choose to reside with a default homepage.  Several users often configure the homepage as a search engine such as Google or Yahoo to quickly research information or check their email messages.  For users of Internet Explorer, this is page is hosted by the Microsoft website by default.

Unknown to many internet users, browser hijackers are on the prowl, desperately seeking vulnerabilities that give them the ability to modify your homepage.  The tactics employed  typically result to noticeable changes such as additional toolbars in the browser or a completely different homepage altogether.  At first, a victim may believe that the changes were made by another authorized computer user or that the page has been bookmarked by mistake.  In this scenario, they may attempt to restore the original page.  After restoring the settings, they reload the browser to find the same strange page, indicating a serious problem and the presence of parasiteware. 

The main intent of a parasiteware developer is not to infect your PC with viruses or commit fraudulent crimes in your name, but to generate revenue from ambitious internet advertisers who pay them for their deceptive work.  When parasiteware hijacks your browser, it typically replaces a fair amount of content with ads and web sites representing legitimate companies using your page as their outlet.  In many cases, this content is tailored towards your preferences, targeted advertising made possible by the information the parasiteware program secretly obtained from you. 

Parasiteware takes advantages of the features found in your web browser.  Once installed, it seeks personal data stored in cookies, the browser cache and temporary internet files.  Although a few users are of aware that these storage units should be frequently deleted, many more are not, making them prime targets for an array of exploits.   

While not officially labeled as dangerous, parasiteware is not a program you want functioning on your computer.  The approach it uses is intrusive as information may be downloaded to your system or thieved without your knowledge. 

Removing Parasites

When conducting an anti-spyware scan, do not be surprised if the report detects parasiteware.  These programs are becoming more common and can move in such subtle fashion that they are barely visible.  Any type of hijacking whether it's seizing control of a system, web browser or a single page is very unsettling.  If you even suspect this type of intrusion, we recommend investing in a solution to contain the problem.  Buy running a free online spyware scan, you can detect parasiteware and other sneaky programs trying to make changes on your computer.