what is a spyware?

Answer 1

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.
Spyware is similar to a Trojan horse in that users unwittingly install the product when they install something else. A common way to become a victim of spyware is to download certain peer-to-peer file swapping products that are available today.

Aside from the questions of ethics and privacy, spyware steals from the user by using the computer's memory resources and also by eating bandwidth as it sends information back to the spyware's home base via the user's Internet connection. Because spyware is using memory and system resources, the applications running in the background can lead to system crashes or general system instability.

Because spyware exists as independent executable programs, they have the ability to monitor keystrokes, scan files on the hard drive, snoop other applications, such as chat programs or word processors, install other spyware programs, read cookies, change the default home page on the Web browser, consistently relaying this information back to the spyware author who will either use it for advertising/marketing purposes or sell the information to another party.

Licensing agreements that accompany software downloads sometimes warn the user that a spyware program will be installed along with the requested software, but the licensing agreements may not always be read completely because the notice of a spyware installation is often couched in obtuse, hard-to-read legal disclaimers.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Spyware is a program that is installed on your computer through e-mail or some other malicious program. Spyware, as the word suggests, spies on you by monitoring the sites you visit on the Internet, recording personal information, and even recording your keystrokes to find out passwords and other sensitive information. I suggest purchased Ad-Aware SE Plus (19 bucks I think) if you are concerned about spyware and don't already have an anti-spyware program.

Answer 4

Spyware is a computer program which can be installed on personal computers (usually without the permission from the owner) and has the purpose of collecting information and sending it back to another source - usually an Internet marketing or pornographic website.

Spyware programs often record information such as which websites you have been visiting or what you have been downloading.

Spyware programs can be installed through a virus or as part of an installation of a program.

Many programs that are free on the Internet contain spyware and people should always be careful of this when installing such programs on their computer
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Remember the Free part and be careful out there

Answer 5

Spyware/Adware - is computer software that collects personal information about users without their informed consent. To know more about how spyware attaches itself to computers and to learn how to combat them.Check out http://sumiram2006.googlepages.com/combatproblems

Answer 6

it is software which spies on your sites that you visit.
majorgeeks.com has free spyware remover programs.

Answer 7

Go to the site below and read the security article

Answer 8

Anti virus programm...plus checks your computer for hackers

Answer 9

Clothes that spies typically wear - black pants and black shirts with knitten hats and sunglasses. You know, spy wear.

Answer 10

very good question to ask.........!