What is Spyware?

Spyware is a program which is installed on a computer without the users knowledge or permission in order to collect information about the user(s) of that machine. Unfortunately spyware can also interfere with the control of your computer in several other ways, such as changing settings that result in different home pages, loss of internet access and/or other programs, installing additional software, blindly accessing websites known to be harmful, redirecting your browser activity and stealing your personal and financial information.

Unlike viruses and worms, spyware does not normally replicate itself, but, like viruses, it does exploit infected computers, and as it doesn't normally spread in the same way as a virus or worm. Instead, it usually sits on your system creating more and more problems for you.

Spyware authors seem to like to deceive or trick users into downloading their programs by presenting it as something it isn't. As a result it can arrive at your computer in many different ways, a few of which are listed below:-

• Harmful content on webpages or links
• Pretending to be a security feature
• Email attachments or links
• As a Web accelerator
• Piggybacking onto legitimate software
• Helpful software
• Bundled with software that is required
• CD's and DVD's
• Via a worm or virus

It has been estimated that up to 90% of all computers with a broadband connection have some form of spyware infection and because of the nature of this beast, there will almost always be dozens of different infections on each infected computer. The cumulative effect of all these infections is to slow down the computer, disable your firewall and antivirus software, rearrange the security settings in your browser to allow yet more infections through and drive you crazy with pop up adverts. In fact spyware can be responsible for as many as 1 in 3 of all Windows application crashes!