Computer Snooper


· Overview ·
· Origins ·
· Operation ·
· Risks ·
· Research ·



Overview

Vendor Notes:

Computer Snooper monitors both incoming and outgoing instant messages on ICQ as well as on America Online, AIM, CompuServe, Yahoo Messenger, and MSN Messenger. A password-protected management program is included for viewing the saved activity. The program remains hidden from the user, showing no icons or pop-up messages

Category:

Key Logger: (Keystroke Logger). A program that runs in the background, recording all the keystrokes. Once keystrokes are logged, they are hidden in the machine for later retrieval, or shipped raw to the attacker. The attacker then peruses them carefully in the hopes of either finding passwords, or possibly other useful information that could be used to compromise the system or be used in a social engineering attack. For example, a key logger will reveal the contents of all e-mail composed by the user. Keylog programs are commonly included in rootkits and RATs (remote administration trojans).

Similar Pests:

Key Logger

Origins

Date of Origin:

April, 2005

Operation

Risks

Detection Issues:

Difficult to detect by design. May hide from process list. May install with variable names in variable locations.

Research

More Info:

  • AllTheWeb, AltaVista, AOL Search, Ask Jeeves, Google, HotBot, Lycos, LookSmart, MSN, Yahoo!
  • Research By:

  • PestPatrol's Pest Research Center
  • Last Revised:

    April 15, 2005