What is Spyware?
What are the kinds of technologies that spyware might use, and what do these technologies do?
What are the differences between spyware and viruses?
How can spyware affect me?
How does spyware typically get on my personal computer?
How do I get rid of spyware on my computer?

What is Spyware?
In its broader sense, spyware refers to a variety of potentially unwanted technologies. These technologies can be defined as,

• Technologies implemented in ways that impair users' control over:
• collection, use, and distribution of their personal information.
• material changes that affect their desktop experience, privacy, or system security; or
• use of their system resources

In its narrower sense, spyware is a term for executable applications, deployed without adequate notice, consent, or control for the user that track and report the user's computer or the user's activities, including collecting and disclosing personal information.

What are the kinds of technologies that spyware might use, and what do these technologies do?
Technologies that spyware might use include:

• Tracking Technologies that monitor user behaviour or gather personal information about the user.
• Advertising Display Technologies that display advertising content.
• Remote Control Technologies that allow remote access or control of computer systems.
• Dialing Technologies that make calls or access services through a modem or Internet connection.
• System Modifying Technologies that modify system and change user's browser and desktop experience.
• Security Analysis Technologies used by a computer user to analyze or circumvent security protections.
• Automatic Download Technologies that download and install software without user interaction.

What are the differences between spyware and viruses?
There are a few differences between the broader definition of spyware and viruses. The first main difference is that viruses intentionally harm or damage the computer by corrupting the normal performance of applications, operating systems or files. Spyware does not intentionally harm or damage the computer; however, spyware unintentionally slows down the computer or causes system crashes because of all the spyware programs running. The second difference is that viruses self-replicate and ultimately infect as many computers as possible as quickly as possible. Spyware does not self-replicate. The third difference is that spyware records personal information about a user, which can ultimately cause harm to that user. This is achieved through the installation of surreptitious applications that run unnoticed in the computer's background. Viruses do not record personal information about a user.

How can spyware affect me?
Spyware can negatively impact you in many different ways. Spyware can compromise your privacy because your personal information may be gathered and distributed to others. You may become a victim of identity theft or fraud. Outsiders may start using your credit cards and accessing your banking information. People may know your passwords and start accessing your personal email or documents.

Spyware can cause you to pay long distance calls which you did not authorize. This is done when a dialer application is installed on your computer and it calls long distance or 1-900 hundred numbers.

Spyware can install programs you did not download, change your browser home page, reset your bookmarks, and change your wallpaper. This then affects your control over your personal computer because these programs may be not listed in the add/remove program and consequently, some of these programs are difficult to uninstall.

Furthermore, spyware can affect the available resources and proper functioning of computers by making them slower and/or causing system crashes.

How does spyware typically get on my personal computer?
Different types of spyware get into your computer in different ways. These ways include,

• Hackers placing spyware on your computer;
• Drive-by downloads whereby you simply visit a website and spyware is downloaded without your consent and knowledge. The spyware is written into the site's code and thus, exploits known security holes.
• Installing freeware/shareware, such as screen savers or games, that bundles spyware applications during installation of the main program.
• Emails where there is an attachment to an email message, a hyperlink in an email message, or in the email communication itself if it is in HTML format; and
• Clicking on a popup ad.

How do I get rid of spyware on my computer?
Once you have discovered that spyware has been installed on your computer we recommend that you immediately purchase the full version of WinSpy in order to protect your privacy and prevent identity theft. You may purchase WinSpy HERE