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Spyware

What is spyware?

Spyware is software that transmits personal information to a third party without the user's knowledge or consent. Spyware and adware install themselves on a user's machine, often as the trade-off for a piece of “free” software, collecting marketing data and distributing targeted advertising. With the emergence of lucrative online affiliate-marketing business models and the widespread ease with which these threats can be spread, adware and spyware are now major threats in cyberspace.

What is spyware protection?

Spyware protection helps keep you and your family or business safe from dangerous spyware that can lead to your PC, potentially compromise your identity, and threaten the security of what you value.

Why do I need spyware protection?

You need spyware protection because spyware created by hackers and cybercriminals can be spread via infected email attachments, shared files, or malicious web sites. Good spyware protection is effective at both detecting and removing spyware if you're already infected. It also detects and prevents spyware infections.

How does spyware protection work?

Spyware protection scans a computer's memory and disk drives for spyware. If it finds spyware, the application informs the user, and it cleans, deletes, or quarantines any files, directories, or disks affected by the malicious code.

Spyware is not to be confused with adware, BHO (Browser Help Objects), or redirection tools. Although they are sometimes unpleasant, the latter do not transmit personal data. Spyware may also be mistakenly confused with cookies and Web bugs, which are not programs but micro-image or data files, the access of which may be redirected or tracked and might sometimes violate privacy.

There are 2 types of spyware that differ according to their objective:

  • Commerce:  These programs are similar to adware packages. They do not simply redirect the targeted advertisements; they also transmit specific personal information in order to follow up their marketing approach by email, post or telephone. The collecting companies can then cash in on the gathered information and subsequent database.
  • Information:  This involves spying software that secretly records and/or transmits operations carried out on a computer. It might have legitimate uses such as for parental control but is then distorted from its original intent.
Spyware research
Security Information Library