deleting spyware

deleting spyware

In this chapter you will get a good understanding of what computer spyware and adware are, what do they do, and how to fight back.

What is Spyware?

In simplest terms, spyware is a type of malware (malicious software) that watches what users do with their computer and sends this information to the creator (or occaisionally a hacker) over the internet. Generally, different types of spyware collect different information about a user. Less harmful programs attempt to track what websites a user visits, sending this information to an advertisement agency. More malicious programs may try recording what a user types to intercept passwords or credit card numbers,sometimes referred to as keyloggers. Other spyware programs simply launch popups with advertisements. Detect & Remove Spyware,
Adware, & other Malware. This type of malware may also be referred to as adware.

Originally, spyware just referred to malicious software (malware) that spied on (or monitored) the user, sending information back to it's creator. More recently users have come to use the term spyware regarding any software that does any sort of spying to benefit a third party. This includes adware and keyloggers, amognst other types of malware that monitors the user or allows full or partial control of a computer system's operation to a remote user without the consent of the machine user (such as trojan horses and rootkits)

Unlike viruses and worms, spyware does not usually self-replicate. Spyware may exploit known weaknesses in computer security or be installed by free software (freeware), infecting computers for commercial gain.