Spyware is a program that once loaded on your computer unknowingly collects information from your PC and sends it to another party. The most dangerous types of Spyware programs copies personal information that you would not share with anyone such as passwords, files and credit card numbers. Other types of spyware programs act as a forced advertising program. The program will track your keystrokes and web surfing habits. Once
program, and company running it, knows your habits they will try to change your web page to get you to go to specific sites and purchase something or surf on their site.
The corporations who create and distribute spyware, get many benefits from their dishonest marketing practices. They can build up a huge database of so called opt-in marketing participants, sell you their own products or terrorize you with unwelcome pop-ups.
They’re counting on fact that a lot of web surfers don’t know that program is on their computer. The few that do know that they have spyware programs, don’t know how it got there and how to prevent themselves from getting it again.
Spyware usually get on your computer when you download unverified programs online. Everyone eventually downloads something from internet. Spyware software is usually attached to some kind of free software. The software could be games, wall paper programs, music files or file swapping software. Most web surfers will not take time to read long disclaimers and terms of use that are attached to freebies on web. This is where you will usually find a line in agreement that states that extra programs are attached to your free download.
