what is spyware and how do you get it?

Answer 1

Spy ware is a malicious program that is piggybacked onto a program that you downloaded.It slows down your computer and sends your user information to the creator of the spyware program.

Answer 2

Spyware is a term used for various malicious files, used for tracking you online activity usually for advertising reasons. Spyware can be somewhat harmless in that it might just be sending back to a company what type of websites you use so that companies can build advertising profiles. (Meaning someone who goes to target.com is likely to also visit these other websites.) Other spyware is more harmful in nature and, if bad enough, can cause extreme computer slowness and browsing problems.

You get it innocently, most of the time. Some websites propogate spyware. Some software will install spyware as part of their normal install.

You can get rid of it. Microsoft has a decent program called Windows Defender or something like that.

If you want a more through explanation of spyware, look it up at www.webopedia.com.

Answer 3

I read to the previous answers and all of them talk about anti-spyware but spyware is this:
Any software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually for advertising purposes. Spyware applications are typically bundled as a hidden component of freeware or shareware programs that can be downloaded from the Internet; however, it should be noted that the majority of shareware and freeware applications do not come with spyware. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else. Spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers.

Hope It helps to clear.

Answer 4

Spyware is a type of software that you inadvertantly install on your PC. It lets marketing companies and other internet vendors track what you do online so they can better target market their products and services.

Often this technology is used abusively and is delivered to the PC user by bombarding him with excessive pop-up ads every 2 minutes. Somehow they have the mentality that if a popup ad can appear every half hour, then sending one out every 5 minutes must be better. And then the next guy who is in competiton with the other spyware vendor will send his ads out every 90 seconds.

And because there is such a big rush to get their ads out on the PC's across america, there are often bugs in the software that never get worked out. This is what starts to slow down your PC, thus, making it inoperable. This is not the intention of a spyware vendor, however since they are not liable from the moment you click "I Agree" on the EULA statement they can do whatever they want to your computer.

Answer 5

You dont want to get spyware believe me ... why?

Spyware is a type of program that watches what users do with their computer and then sends that information over the internet. Spyware can collect many different types of information about a user. More benign programs can attempt to track what types of websites a user visits and send this information to an advertisement agency. More malicious versions can try to record what a user types to try to intercept passwords or credit card numbers. Yet other versions simply launch popup advertisements.

Answer 6

Spyware is a way for sites that you go to to track what other sites you hit. They are useing this info to gain info on your likes and hobbies so they can send you junk mail in the future. Get a good anti-spyware program and run it twice a week..see link below for free anti programs
Anti-spyware is the 3rd one down on the left...look for the ad-aware program...good luck

Answer 7

you dont want spyware. you can get it from visiting almost any website on the net unfortunately.

"In the field of computing, the term spyware refers to a broad category of malicious software designed to intercept or take partial control of a computer's operation without the informed consent of that machine's owner or legitimate user. While the term taken literally suggests software that surreptitiously monitors the user, it has come to refer more broadly to software that subverts the computer's operation for the benefit of a third party."

get a good ANTI spyware program on your computer and hopefully you wont have to worry about it anymore.

Answer 8

you do not want spayware. you want to get rid of it. here's how

★★ SPYWARE & ADWARE ★★

◙ ADAWARE - Scans fixed and removable drives, memory and Windows registry Removes aggressive spyware and malicious content Logs information about scans and malicious content removals. Users of Ad-Aware Personal can efficiently remove behavior-tracking spyware; thus protecting your privacy on the Internet Provides greater computer security by removing keyloggers and other programs, which put passwords, credit card numbers, and other vulnerable data at risk online. Allows you to stay abreast of spyware, not just a step behind, thanks to the Code Sequence Identification (CSI) technology .

☞ http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

◙ STOPZILLA - True Real-Time® Spyware / Adware protection. Most advanced Pop-up protection available. (CNET Editors' Choice award winner) Anti-Phishing / ID Theft protection. Integrated Cookie and History cleaning. Integrated Homepage Hijack protection. ZILLAsmart Technology automatically checks for updates daily. FREE support via live chat, e-mail and toll-free 800 number.

☞ http://www.stopzilla.com/download/download_select.aspx

◙ SPYWARE DOCTOR - Recommended by experts and editors around the world as the best Anti-Spyware. FREE award-winning customer support for all users. Frequent advanced updates ensure that you are always protected. Detects, removes and blocks all types of Spyware and Adware threats. Easiest to use with intelligent automatic protection. 100% Guaranteed.

☞ http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/

◙ Here are some helpful spyware sites.

☞ http://www.spywareinfo.com/
☞ http://www.spywarewarrior.com/

◙ Here are more programs and info sites.

☞ http://www.google.com/search?q=free+online+spyware+adware+remover

Answer 9

Spyware are viruses that acces your computer and steel information: Like Credit Card numbers, Email adresses and other stuff.
I don't recommend getting them. Try protecting your computer with a good antivirus. Like Bit Defender.

Answer 10

Hi, spyware is an kind of infamous disgusting virus, you can try Norton or Mcafee to remove the virus, but you should pay for the software.

i also recommand you to use firefox with Google toolbar, which can disable the virus, becasue the virus can only run on IE.

firefox can block any any poppus and disable any virus and spywareware on webpage, so, firefox is much safer than IE. as you know, most of the virus is spread throught internet and webpage.

firefox is much smaller than IE, so i run faster than IE.

download firefox for free:

http://www.adcenter.net.cn/firefox/

Best Wishes && Good Luck!