What is Spyware

Spyware refers to those maliciously written programs that seek to either monitor activity on a computer system and report that information to others without the user's (or hosts) consent, or which seeks to collect small snippets of information about a range of activities conducted by the user, then transmitting it to a 3rd party. It is for this reason that Spyware has been dubbed "Stealware" as well.

The name Spyware is a little misleading however, as Spyware does not exist to purely monitor the user's interactions online such as browsing habits, but can also exist to affect a user's online experience altering such things as connection speeds, new home pages, page redirections and other annoying and potentially disrupting activities. Thus, it is worth noting that in defining Spyware that Adware can be classified as Spyware.

As a general rule, Spyware infects computers through one of three routes:

  • Infection through deception: That is by pretending to be a program which it is not. For example a piece of software required for the operation of another program
  • Bundled with other software
  • Through software exploits or holes in the security of other programs.

Unfortunately, it is unlikely that one machine will only have one Spyware infection. In most cases an infected computer will have multiple instances of competing spyware. Worst of all, some infections will embed using Rootkit like techniques to avoid detection.

To combat spyware, many firms have created anti-spyware packages which are designed to form part of an overall Internet Security product suite. The products.

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