Spyware

Spyware is software programs that are made with the intension of allowing individuals and companies to spy on your web browsing activities. These programs literally invade your privacy, slow down your system and annoy you with constant popups.
 
 

Do these programs affect everyone or just some users?

  • Spyware are programs affect everyone.

  • Every single piece of information that you enter on the web can be intercepted by an unauthorized person or entity.

  • Unauthorized websites can wind up on your desktop and in your Internet favorites.

  • Every step you make on the Internet can be tracked and watched.

  • The information obtained about you can be sold without your consent or your knowledge.

  • Unwanted toolbars and searchbars can attach themselves to your browser without your knowledge or approval.

  • Your default homepage and settings can be hijacked so you can't change them.

Spyware install themselves and slow down your PC by taking up vast amounts of hard drive space, and worse yet, you cant remove them without help.
 

Prevention and Detection
 

Programs have been developed to detect, quarantine, and remove spyware. As there are many examples of  spyware that are also adware or malware, many of these detection programs have been developed to detect, quarantine, and remove adware as well. Among the more prominent of these applications are Ad-Aware, Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Spybot - Search & Destroy. These programs are designed specifically for spyware detection and will not detect viruses.

Almost all commercial antivirus software currently detect  spyware, or offer a separate spyware detection package. The reluctance to add adware and spyware detection to commercial antivirus products was fueled by a fear of lawsuits. Kaspersky, for example, was sued by Zango for blocking the installation of their products. Zango software and components are almost universally detected as adware nowadays.

 

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