An anti-spyware manager uses domain name service resolution queries to
combat spyware. The anti-spyware manager maintains a list of domain names
associated with spyware, monitors domain name service queries, and
detects queries on domain names on the list. Responsive to detecting a
domain name service query on a domain name associated with spyware, the
anti-spyware manager forces the domain name service query to resolve to
an address not associated with the domain name. Because attempts by
spyware to communicate with its home server are now routed to the forced
address, the spyware is unable to communicate with its homer server, and
thus can neither steal information nor download updates of itself.
Additionally, the anti-spyware manager can identify computers that are
infected with spyware and clean or quarantine them.