What is Grayware?
July 30, 2008 by Antivirus Ware.com - Download Norton Antivirus software instantly!If an application is classified as annoying or behaves in annoying or undesirable fashion, yet isn’t considered to be as dangerous, serious, or troublesome as malware, it is called Grayware or Greyware. Typically, Grayware can encompass all of the following:
- Adware
- access tools
- dialers
- joke programs
- remote access tools
- Spyware
They are characteristically programs that stand apart from viruses which are specifically designed for the sole purpose of harming one’s computer system. The term has been in use since September of 2004 and is used more and more every day.
Normally, Grayware is not classified as a Trojan Horse, a computer virus, or a worm. However, the negative effects on one’s computer system are still a potential security risk when the system is exposed to Grayware. The undesirable actions that Grayware performs fall into the following three categories:
- allowing computer vulnerabilities
- irritating the user with pop-up ads and windows
- tracking the user’s internet habits
Grayware, adware and Spyware are all different in their own right. Where Grayware is merely seen as a non-hostile or non-threatening annoyance, the same cannot be said for either adware or Spyware. Adware bombards the user with unwanted ad banners and numerous pop-ups, and even though it is not often classified as malware most people categorize it as annoyingly invasive.
Spyware is the main threat of the three. It infects your computer and monitors your online activities while running in the back ground unbeknownst to the user and most certainly without their permission.
