What Does Spyware Do?

For all computer owners and internet users, the mention of the Spyware software is undoubtedly a familiar one. Not only is a large population aware of the existence of the software, but are also at a risk of having their computers infected by it.

In order to be able to understand what the software does, it is important to first have a brief understanding about the software. In a nutshell, Spyware can be understood to be a kind of spy software program that infects the computer and monitors the usage of the internet, and thus accumulates a plethora of information regarding the Internet- related activities of the user.

The software works stealthily and most users are unable to detect its presence on the computer as the Spyware virus latches onto the computer via the means of concealed elements loaded within a number of shareware as well as freeware programs that the user might be downloading from the Internet. The greatest danger posed by Spyware lies in the fact that the user might take a long time to realize of its presence and in the time being the software can cause considerable damage to the computer system.

Thus, defining what the software actually does can be understood from the purpose it serves itself. The Spyware software once nested into a personal computer commences to watch the internet activity of the user of the computer. Details regarding any and every minute spent online are gathered and this collected information is then returned back to the individual who leased the Spyware software onto the computer to begin with. The Spyware software is used by a number of marketers and advertisers in a bid to gain personal information and information regarding habits and preferences of potential customers to gain an edge in their businesses.

The danger from Spyware stems from the fact that the virus can record almost any detail regarding activity over the internet, ranging from websites visited to transactions made, from recording keystrokes to memorizing passwords etc. In some extreme cases, Spyware software has been known to make copies of classified and personal information regarding the user.

There are a number of other things that Spyware software can accomplish, all of which weaken the user of the PC as the information regarded or disclosed is often personal in nature.

The software can cause damage to the main computer system. This can be noticed in two different ways. In many cases the performance of the computer is seen to get retarded and the computer works at a very slow pace. In the extreme cases, the software has been known to cause a lockdown of the whole system.

Some mischief making individuals often release a Spyware virus that attaches to a PC and affects it by capturing the home browser page and adjusting it to a different website, usually one with pornographic content.

Many times the presence of the Spyware software on a PC leads to the building of a toolbar full of viruses and other Spyware related programs in the Internet Explorer, thus causing further intrusion into the personal life of the user.

The various viruses released onto the computer very often cause the Internet Explorer and the Windows Explorer to disintegrate and crash.

The Spyware software can steal confidential information from the PC using keyboard monitoring software. Credit Card related information as well as other ID data is often taken from the PC by this software with the mal intention of identity theft related crimes.

The Spyware software can also monitor the Internet usage of an individual and make records of details about websites visited, time spent, content pursues and so and so forth, and the information and data collected by the software is often relayed to owners and administrators of other related and even unrelated websites.

Protecting oneself against Spyware software becomes imperative in the light of the intensity of personalized information that may be leaked out to undesirable sources.