Summary: Much of what we call spyware, like adware, can be relatively benign. But there's definitely the more intrusive, damaging kind of spyware as well.
|
Suppose someone had an MSN instant message conversation on a computer that had spyware on it (unbeknownst to them). Could a hacker access these messages, without access to the computer that had the spyware on it, where the messages were sent from? In other words, from an unrelated computer source? |
The scenario you outline is a little unclear, but the short answer is probably ...
Yes
•
Most of what we call spyware is relatively benign. Annoying and intrusive, but not particularly malicious.
Then there's the other kind.
To get to your question, it is very possible that spyware could, while you are conversing in an instant messaging program:
-
Write your conversations to a hidden file and leave open a "back door" that allows the hacker to retrieve that file at a later date.
-
Intercept everything you type and everything you receive, and send a copy to another computer somewhere else on the internet as you type it.
-
Or any of a number of other things...
This is also a good example of the fact that there are both "good" and "bad" types of spyware. For example in a prior article, "How can I keep my kids safe from internet garbage?" I talked about commercially available packages that can be used by parents to monitor or control their children's internet use. Is it spyware? Technically yes. It could be used to do exactly the types of things we're talking about here. On purpose.
Related:
-
Ask Leo! - Spyware: How do I remove and avoid spyware?
-
Ask Leo! - Internet Safety: How do I keep my computer safe on the internet?
-
Ask Leo! - I suspect spyware or a worm, how do I get rid of it?
Article C1990 - June 6, 2004
No one in my family uses my computer except me, but someone has, somehow remotely from a long distance away, put files on my hard drive, and used my email address, and even my IP. Things are supposedly coming from my computer that are NOT coming from my computer. I've even discovered unfamiliar, or renamed files, pictures, etc, and music. Often when I use my computer, the mouse seems to have a mind of its own, and certain programs tell me that they are already being used by someone. To wit: My computer is either haunted, or is being used freely by someone else who does not live in my house. My kids are grown and do not live here, and my husband has his own computer. Can an IP be remotely hijacked to the point that someone uses my computer from a distance, as if it were her own? Thank you for listening. This is making me crazy. And I didn't have far to go. . . .
Posted by: Jane at June 11, 2004 10:27 AM-Jane
Want to get rid of Spyware? Don't bother with SpyWare Nuker. A total rip off.
Posted by: Jerry at June 13, 2004 10:52 AMIts very sneaky, even most detectors cant get them all. But try using Firefox instead of IE.
Posted by: George Arauz at June 3, 2007 9:42 AMI know my boss is reading my emails. (dont ask how but its been verified) now that I am aware of it I will be using my home computer more often. It only seems though when I Deleted my emails they are being read. Since I am afaid to delete anything is there a way to get rid of sent messages without hitting my delete?
Posted by: april at September 23, 2007 3:39 AM