December 22, 2005
Top 10 tricks causing spyware epidemic
A look back at 2005 and a list of the Top 10 tricks causing our spyware epidemic. From Suzi Turner at ZDNet's Spyware Confidential Blog:
5. Spazbox domain installs massive spyware/adware using IRC as documented by Paperghost.
4. Anti-spyware spread by spyware and trojans, details here about super rogues PSGuard, Razespyware, SpySheriff, Spy Trooper, WorldAntiSpy and more recently SpyAxe here.
3. Direct Revenue adware distributed through BitTorrent, (or more aurora and nail.exe) exposed by Paperghost.
2. AIM worm carries backdoor, rootkit and adware, found to be powered by world wide bot net with ties to the Middle East. See write up from CNET.
And now, drum roll please, the top spyware trick of 2005...
1. Sony BMG infects users with DRM rootkit originally reported by Mark Russinovich at SysInternals. The fallout of this debacle continues with artists revolting and plenty of legal action against Sony BMG in the works.
