Spyware is software installed without the owner’s consent and monitors the user’s surfing behavior without their knowledge. Spyware can collect personal information, redirect browsers, install additional software and even change computer settings. Spyware is often associated with other terms, such as adware, malware, crimeware and scareware.
Adware is considered the least dangerous of the "wares" and is installed by marketing entities to download advertising, but some adware is considered spyware, too. Malware is a more severe form of this type of software and the designation means that the intrusion into a system has malicious intent. When the intent is of a criminal nature, we hear the term crimeware used. When the term crimeware is used, financial crimes and or identity theft are normally the end result.
Another newer term being used is scareware. Scareware is used to scare users into buying something by tricking them into thinking an issue exists. Frequently, this happens when a user gets a message that their system is infected will all kinds of adware, spyware, malware and crimeware and a computer security solution (for money) is offered to rid the computer of all these “wares.”
The line of between legitimate and illegitimate use is blurry when it comes to spyware. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has been active in defining when the use of this software is illegal and has argued that a computer is the property of a user and not third parties, who install software without the owner’s consent. The FTC has also taken numerous actions against the distributors of spyware. One such action was in November 2008 when they halted the sale of a vendor selling spyware with key-logging capabilities.
Spyware has also spawned computer security solutions designed to prevent and detect spyware in a system. Sadly, most of us are forced to employ these solutions in the attempt to have a safe experience when surfing the sometimes murky waters of the Internet.
by Ed Dickson
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