Spyware development and analysis

Bachelor Thesis , 2011 , 82 Pages , Grade: 1,3

Computer Science - Applied

This bachelor thesis gives relevant issues about computers today, especially on the use of multimedia systems such as audio and video chat, along with related laws and regulations by government and some past events concerning computer security. Then some basics about computer security, including network basics, and the development of a prototype are described. The prototype development includes web-cam capturing on a victim’s system and the transmission of its images through a network. This prototype is the most important part of the thesis and will cover the investigation with and without oversight by anti-virus
and firewall software. For this purpose, several popular established firewall and anti virus software vendors are analyzed and tested.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• 1 Introduction
  • 1.1 Computer relevance today
  • 1.2 Audio and Video impact
  • 1.3 Laws and regulations
  • 1.4 Related work and motivation
• 2 Basics
  • 2.1 OSI reference model
  • 2.2 Correlation of malware
    • 2.2.1 Trojan
    • 2.2.2 Adware
    • 2.2.3 Virus
    • 2.2.4 Spyware
    • 2.2.5 Worm
    • 2.2.6 Other
  • 2.3 Penetration test
  • 2.4 Operating System
  • 2.5 Antivirus software
  • 2.6 Firewall
    • 2.6.1 Firewall types
    • 2.6.2 Network Firewall
    • 2.6.3 Personal Firewall
• 3 Demonstrator / prototype
  • 3.1 Basics
  • 3.2 Operating systems and work environment
  • 3.3 DirectShow
    • 3.3.1 Filter
    • 3.3.2 Filter graph
    • 3.3.3 Control, create and manage filter graph
    • 3.3.4 Capture Graph
    • 3.3.5 Filters for prototype
  • 3.4 Data transmission
    • 3.4.1 Initialization and socket creation
    • 3.4.2 Send data
    • 3.4.3 Close connection
    • 3.4.4 Further capabilities
  • 3.5 Firewall
    • 3.5.1 Windows XP firewall
    • 3.5.2 Freeware firewalls
    • 3.5.3 Other possibilities

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This bachelor thesis aims to provide an in-depth analysis of spyware development and its implications in today's computer landscape. The thesis explores the growing relevance of computers, particularly in the context of multimedia systems such as audio and video chat. It also examines relevant legal and regulatory frameworks governing computer security, drawing on past events related to cybersecurity. The thesis then delves into the development of a prototype spyware application that captures webcam footage and transmits it over a network. The prototype is then tested and evaluated, examining its effectiveness in bypassing various antivirus and firewall programs. Key themes explored in this thesis include: * The impact of multimedia systems on computer security. * The legal and regulatory landscape surrounding spyware development. * The development and implementation of a prototype spyware application. * The effectiveness of antivirus and firewall software in detecting and preventing spyware. * The vulnerabilities of computer systems to spyware attacks.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The introduction sets the stage by discussing the rising prominence of computers in our daily lives, particularly in multimedia applications such as audio and video chat. It also explores the legal and regulatory context surrounding computer security, highlighting past events that have shaped our understanding of cyber threats. This chapter lays the foundation for the subsequent analysis of spyware development and its implications.

Chapter 2 delves into the technical foundations of computer security, introducing the OSI reference model as a framework for understanding network communication. It then examines different types of malware, including trojans, adware, viruses, spyware, worms, and other malicious software. This chapter also discusses penetration testing techniques, exploring methods for assessing system vulnerabilities. It further explores the role of operating systems, antivirus software, and firewalls in safeguarding computer systems against malicious attacks.

Chapter 3, the heart of the thesis, describes the development and testing of a prototype spyware application. The chapter outlines the technical details of the prototype, including its reliance on DirectShow, a multimedia framework that enables webcam capture and data transmission. It then examines the methods used to transmit captured data over a network, including socket creation, data sending, connection closing, and other functionalities. Finally, the chapter analyzes the effectiveness of various firewall programs in detecting and blocking the prototype's activities. This chapter highlights the vulnerabilities of computer systems and the challenges of securing them against sophisticated spyware threats.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This bachelor thesis focuses on the development and analysis of spyware within the context of computer security. Key terms and concepts include: spyware, malware, computer security, multimedia systems, audio and video chat, legal and regulatory frameworks, prototype development, webcam capture, data transmission, antivirus software, firewalls, network vulnerabilities, and penetration testing.

• College: University of Applied Sciences Münster
• Grade: 1,3
• Author: Matthias Wellmeyer (Author)
• Publication Year: 2011
• Pages: 82
• Catalog Number: V170139
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640888177
• ISBN (Book): 9783640888191
• Language: English
• Tags: antivirus, firewall, spyware, security