The top 10 spyware programs in 2006, determined by the number of detections, were as follows:
1. Adware/Gator - "offers free use of an application if users agree to view a series of pop-up messages downloaded by Gator. Some versions of this spyware replace banners on web pages visited with those created by the malicious code itself."
2. Adware/WUpd - "offers free use of an application in exchange for displaying advertising messages and monitors users’ Internet movements and gather data about habits and preferences"
3. Adware/nCase - "offers free use of an application in exchange for displaying advertising messages and monitors users’ Internet movements and gather data about habits and preferences"
4. Adware/CWS - "installed without users’ consent or without them being fully aware of the functionality of the tool."
5. Adware/emediacodec - "installed without users’ consent or without them being fully aware of the functionality of the tool." Also evades detection.
6. Adware/Lop - displays numerous advertising pop-ups and installs a toolbar with search features in Internet Explorer
7. Application/Winantivirus2006 - downloaded onto computers by other malicious code and exploits application vulnerabilities in order to spread
8. Adware/CWS.Searchmeup - changes the Internet Explorer home page and the default search options and sets a new home page that uses several exploits to download malware onto computers
9. Application/Winfixer2005 - searches the computer for supposed ‘errors’ and then demands that users buy the program in order to repair them
10. Spyware/New.net - adds a toolbar to Internet Explorer and collects information about the user, including Internet pages visited