What is spyware?

What is spyware?

Spyware is a general term used for software that traces user activity on the PC and collects personal info or confidential data without user consent. Spyware can register the websites you visit, the time of visits, all clicks on the keyboard (this is how credit card numbers and pin-codes are often stolen) or monitor and register secretly for software that is in turn installed on a PC.

The most dangerous spyware one which self replicates via e-mail, and installs itself without your consent using software bugs. Software intercepting e-mails and instant messages can collect and transmit confidential information to Internet, and are also dangerous and valid security concerns. Some software may also change parameters of installed security software without your consent. All this makes your computer vulnerable to spyware attacks. Depending on the type of spyware, some programs may warn the developer about users running applications on their PCs, while others are able to make holes for intrusion into the system, or set the modem to make calls, which the PC owner will eventually be billed for. Recently, some shareware programs have been referred to as spyware, such programs extract files from your computer without your consent. One of the most dangerous features of spyware is the ability to transmit collected information to the developer’s PC.

Spyware can enter your PC in a number of different ways. The most common is via e-mail or a Web browser. Also such software may be integrated into “useful” software and downloaded at the moment of “useful” program start-up. Generally such programs are integrated into popular free software, which are downloaded from the Internet, or distributed on CDs attached to magazines.
Why spyware is dangerous?

Spyware doesn’t have much influence on the way your PC runs. Usually, it doesn’t contain viruses, however it can consume a huge amount of system resources. Spyware brings lots of damage in the sense of data confidentiality. Spyware programs register every user step, both inside the system and in the Internet. All information is delivered to the malefactor who collects data in his, not your, interest!