What is Spyware? Is it related to Hardware?


Well, no, Hardware is the physical parts of your computer while Spyware is a fairly new term that refers to software that gathers and then sends information about your Web surfing habits to its own Web site. It is often installed in your computer in combination with a free download that you selected from the Web, but it is occasionally installed just by visiting a Web site. Just as there are many types of computer viruses, Spyware is actually a broad category of malicious software, and known now as Malware, intended to intercept or take partial control of a computer's operation without the user's informed consent.

Spyware transmits information in the background, without announcing itself, as you move around on the Web. Because of this “stealth� aspect of the software it has been given the name: Spyware. It’s also known as "parasite software," "scumware," "junkware" and "thiefware, and a lot of other names that I can’t mention in a ‘G’ rated article!

Sometimes, It Might Even Tell You It's Spyware

The license agreement for your software that everyone accepts without reading may actually state that you are installing spyware and explain what it does. For example, it might say that the program performs anonymous profiling, which means that your habits (where you go on the Web) are being recorded, not your information individually. Such software is used to create marketing profiles; for example, a 60 year old man who goes to Web site "A" often goes to Web site "B" and sometimes to Web site “C�. These profiles get gathered into a statistical report and is most times sold to advertising or marketing agencies.

Spyware may also deliver competing products in real time as you surf the Web. For example, if you go to a Web page and look for a certain type of automobile, an ad for a competitor's vehicle might pop up. Or, if you’re on a site looking for a recipe, an ad might pop up for a new cookbook. These are very targeted ads, meant to get the attention of the Web ‘surfer’, but for the most part, they are just annoying!

Why are they infecting me? I didn’t download anything!

Merchants place ads with spyware advertisers because they feel their promotions are focused. In fact, many feel that the Internet has opened up the most intelligent marketing system the world has ever seen. Merchants say they are targeting prospects that are really interested in their products, and spyware vendors argue that as long as they treat users anonymously, they are not violating privacy.

This is a very ‘iffy’ definition that walks a fine line. Most of the time, the Spyware is wrapped in a ‘helpful’, free program that claims to do ‘fun’ things or assist you as you learn the Web.

There are also spyware programs that keep changing your home page in your browser to a particular Web site. This is known as a Browser Hijack and is one of the most difficult types of spyware to remove from your system.

Why are these little windows getting on my computer?

Some of the Spyware programs just keep popping up ads all the time, even if you are not connected to the Internet! If you see this happening on your computer, it is a sure sign that you have Spyware lurking somewhere! Nevertheless, once you have detected spyware, it can be eliminated with the correct types of programs, although, with some amount of difficulty at times.

How do I get rid of these nasty programs!

Spyware blockers can detect an invasion of spyware into your computer and have become as popular as antivirus programs. These are programs that you must pay for, due to the sophistication of the program in blocking the spyware from coming into your computer in the first place!

Written by Debbi Baird, Co Owner, PC For Seniors Author of many technical articles in ‘plain English’ for the “Older Generation� and Trainer / Tutor / Consultant in the Palm Beach, Florida area. Go to http://www.pcforseniors.com to find more information on computers and The Internet in the “How Do I …� section of the web site! Also, check out our Hot Sites! Listing for links to great places to go online for Seniors!