What is Spyware - The Facts and the Myths

Spyware is the collective term given the various software that is involved with some or all of the following 'nasties':

Advertising
Tracking your internet browsing
Changing your computers' configuration for malicious purposes
Otaining information about you and your computer

Do any of these sound familiar? Are you getting strange popups, see your computer slowing down and doing strange things? If so, then the chances are you are infected with Spyware. However, not all of this type of software can be legitimatley classified as Spyware. Often, when you are subscribing to an online website or downloading a piece of software, there is often information that informs you that the software you are downloading is loaded up to the eyeballs with advertising and tracking devices. If youo then go and download it, then you are 'consenting' to it and thus it cannot be classified as Spyware any more (although normally this information is quite small and can easily be missed, but that's a different argument for a different day.)

So Spywware can be classified as software that does any of the above annoyances without your consent first. So it is always a good idea to fully read all disclaimers and terms & conditions first before downloading - as this alone can be a great method in helping you reduce your Spyware on your computer.