Spyware is a type of malicious software that is spread around on the internet. The term spyware is used to describe software that carries out certain behaviours or operations without obtaining user consent. Such behaviours include but are not limited to: advertising, personal information gathering, and even changing computer settings and configurations.
Spyware can be divided into 4 major categories. These are: system monitors, trojans, adware, and tracking cookies. Typically, such software is designed in a way that makes it hard to detect or to analyse. Usually, some types of spyware cause computers to slow down or even crash.
While there is a large number of anti spyware software downloadable for free on the internet, the priority remains awareness. It is very important that you look carefully into the files you download of the internet and make sure they are from trusted sources. Also, when installing new software, you should look at all the disclosures and read them carefully. After all, you may know what you are installing but you never know what is hidden behind it.
