Why is hardcore spyware so difficult to remove?
In sharp contrast to softcore spyware, hardcore spyware typically includes an impressive array of stealth and counter-attack capabilities of its own. Advanced forms of hardcore spyware can have detection and response capabilities comparable to, or even exceeding, those of the spyware checkers trying to find them. Furthermore, they are often designed to have specific knowledge of major virus and spyware checkers, just as major spyware checkers have knowledge of them. The result is that when hardcore spyware and good spyware checkers are placed on the same system, the result is more akin to outright warfare than a simple checklist scan for cookies and bad programs. Hardcore spyware uses its stealth, counter-attacks, and knowledge of virus and spyware checkers to hide itself, disable common spyware and virus checkers, and even take over virus and spyware checkers for its own purposes. For example, I recently checked out one Windows 98SE PC using three fully updated spyware checkers, and a
