| What is Spyware? Is it related to | | | | didn't download anything!Merchants place ads |
| Hardware?Well, no, Hardware is the physical | | | | with spyware advertisers because they feel |
| parts of your computer while Spyware is a | | | | their promotions are focused. In fact, many |
| fairly new term that refers to software that | | | | feel that the Internet has opened up the most |
| gathers and then sends information about your | | | | intelligent marketing system the world has |
| Web surfing habits to its own Web site. It is | | | | ever seen. Merchants say they are targeting |
| often installed in your computer in | | | | prospects that are really interested in their |
| combination with a free download that you | | | | products, and spyware vendors argue that as |
| selected from the Web, but it is occasionally | | | | long as they treat users anonymously, they |
| installed just by visiting a Web site. Just | | | | are not violating privacy.This is a very |
| as there are many types of computer viruses, | | | | 'iffy' definition that walks a fine line. |
| Spyware is actually a broad category of | | | | Most of the time, the Spyware is wrapped in a |
| malicious software, and known now as Malware, | | | | 'helpful', free program that claims to do |
| intended to intercept or take partial control | | | | 'fun' things or assist you as you learn the |
| of a computer's operation without the user's | | | | Web.There are also spyware programs that keep |
| informed consent.Spyware transmits | | | | changing your home page in your browser to a |
| information in the background, without | | | | particular Web site. This is known as a |
| announcing itself, as you move around on the | | | | Browser Hijack and is one of the most |
| Web. Because of this "stealth" aspect of the | | | | difficult types of spyware to remove from |
| software it has been given the name: Spyware. | | | | your system.Why are these little windows |
| It's also known as "parasite software," | | | | getting on my computer? Some of the Spyware |
| "scumware," "junkware" and "thiefware, and a | | | | programs just keep popping up ads all the |
| lot of other names that I can't mention in a | | | | time, even if you are not connected to the |
| 'G' rated article!Sometimes, It Might Even | | | | Internet! If you see this happening on your |
| Tell You It's SpywareThe license agreement | | | | computer, it is a sure sign that you have |
| for your software that everyone accepts | | | | Spyware lurking somewhere! Nevertheless, |
| without reading may actually state that you | | | | once you have detected spyware, it can be |
| are installing spyware and explain what it | | | | eliminated with the correct types of |
| does. For example, it might say that the | | | | programs, although, with some amount of |
| program performs anonymous profiling, which | | | | difficulty at times.How do I get rid of these |
| means that your habits (where you go on the | | | | nasty programs!Spyware blockers can detect an |
| Web) are being recorded, not your information | | | | invasion of spyware into your computer and |
| individually. Such software is used to create | | | | have become as popular as antivirus programs. |
| marketing profiles; for example, a 60 year | | | | These are programs that you must pay for, due |
| old man who goes to Web site "A" often goes | | | | to the sophistication of the program in |
| to Web site "B" and sometimes to Web site | | | | blocking the spyware from coming into your |
| "C". These profiles get gathered into a | | | | computer in the first place!Written by Debbi |
| statistical report and is most times sold to | | | | Baird, Co Owner, PC For Seniors |
| advertising or marketing agencies.Spyware may | | | | |
| also deliver competing products in real time | | | | Author of many technical articles in 'plain |
| as you surf the Web. For example, if you go | | | | English' for the "Older Generation" and |
| to a Web page and look for a certain type of | | | | Trainer / Tutor / Consultant in the Palm |
| automobile, an ad for a competitor's vehicle | | | | Beach, Florida area. |
| might pop up. Or, if you're on a site | | | | |
| looking for a recipe, an ad might pop up for | | | | Go to to find more information on computers |
| a new cookbook. These are very targeted ads, | | | | and The Internet in the "How Do I ..." |
| meant to get the attention of the Web | | | | section of the web site! Also, check out our |
| 'surfer', but for the most part, they are | | | | Hot Sites! Listing for links to great places |
| just annoying!Why are they infecting me? I | | | | to go online for Seniors! |