While generally considered less malicious and far less dangerous than conventional viruses, most consumers agree that spyware is incredibly annoying. That is, when it is detected!
Spyware is basically just software that is quietly installed onto personal computers, usually bundled with other applications. The purpose of spyware is generally to monitor and gather information about activity on the computer or in some cases to even partially control it. In either case, it is typically done without the consent of the user.
Due to the name "spyware", many people are under the false impression that it's only purpose is to monitor activity. However, the purposes of spyware actually go far beyond simply monitoring a user's computer usage. spyware programs routinely collect several types of information about the people using the computer, such as internet habits and sites visited. While some consider those effects of Spyware to be primarily harmless, others feel that it is an invasion of privacy. In addition to just gathering data, spyware may also interfere with general computer use by self-installing additional software, redirecting your web browser (potentially to sites that will further harm your computer), or diverting advertising revenue to a third party responsible for the spyware.
Many webmasters and publishers on the internet make money by referring people to other sites that offer goods or services. When a visitor clicks through to one of these sites and makes a purchase, the webmaster or publisher that referred them gets a commission of that sale. Many users of spyware take advantage of this simple system by configuring their software to alter your web browser so that when you visit a merchant online, the merchant thinks you were referred by their affiliate (the one who is using their code as part of their spyware program), and then the spyware writer gets a commission from your purchase. Millions of online shoppers have no idea that spyware is on their system and that they are actually putting money in the pockets of spyware distributors simply by shopping regularly online. This process hurts legitimate affiliates who may have been the ones that referred you to the merchant but are denied credit because it goes to the writer of the spyware.
Some spyware may even change your computer settings, which can result in reduced connection speeds or even loss of internet altogether. Although many laws have since been created to help to counter the problem of spyware, there are many loopholes that allow spyware to continue being distributed.
Many popular applications, particularly P2P (peer to peer) programs, actually come bundled with spyware programs. The reason they can get away with this is that they include a provision for it in the fine print of their terms of use agreement that you must agree to before installing the software. The language usually implies that you acknowlwedge consent to allowing the spyware on your computer. Of course, it is never referred to expressly as "spyware". In some cases, if you later remove the spyware that came bundled with the softare, the software will no longer function. Be sure to read the user agreement of any new software (especially free software) thoroughly before you decide whether or not you want to install it.
So how do you fight spyware? There are several great anti-spyware programs available online, and some of them are even free. Spybot Search and Destroy is a very simple, popular, and free application that will identify most types of spyware on your system and give you the option of removing it. Like most anti-spyware products, its database is routinely updated, providing you with the latest protection against new known spyware programs that are distributed.
