Potential Risks and Threats

The existence of spyware and other types of grayware on the network has the potential to introduce the following:

Table 1. Potential Risks and Threats

Risk or Threat


Reduced Endpoint Performance


Increased Web Browser-related Crashes


Reduced User Efficiency


Degradation of Network Bandwidth

Spyware/Grayware applications often regularly transmit the data they collect to other applications running on or outside the network.

Loss of Personal and Corporate Information

Not all data spyware/grayware applications collect is as innocuous as a list of websites users visit. Spyware/Grayware can also collect user credentials, such as those used to access online banking accounts and corporate networks.

Higher Risk of Legal Liability

If endpoint resources on the network are hijacked, hackers may be able to utilize agent computers to launch attacks or install spyware/grayware on computers outside the network. The participation of network resources in these types of activities could leave an organization legally liable to damages incurred by other parties.