Spyware Programs: Just How Damaging Are They?

<p>You may be one of those folks who always hear about spyware programs but have never really understood what all the fuss is about. More so when some people describe Amazon.com's Internet explorer plug-in Alexa Toolbar as spyware. In fact some anti-spyware programs report it as harmful spyware.</p><p>This leads to doubts and plenty of confusion as to just how damaging spyware is supposed to be.</p><p>It is important that we first understand exactly what spyware or a spyware program is. Spyware is simply computer software that collects personal information about users without their knowledge or consent. Usually this is accomplished by recording this personal information secretly in a variety of ways. Tricks include monitoring and recording logging keystrokes, web browsing history, as well as scanning documents on the computer's hard drive.</p><p>The objectives also vary widely. It could be for theft purposes with passwords and financial information obtained for this very purpose. Or it could be for marketing purposes where the victim's web search history is recorded. In fact some spyware programs simply track the websites a user visits and then relays this information to an advertising agency.</p><p>Sometimes this kind of activity results in unsolicited and highly annoying pop-up ads or even just goes hand in hand with it. The end result is the same, your computer resources are continuously stretched to the limit and you are at the mercy of those who the spyware program reports back to.</p><p>It is also worth noting that spyware, a term that was first used in 1995, is these days used alongside terms like adware and malware, which basically mean the same thing.</p><p>The truth is that spyware programs can be very damaging and it is well worth the trouble to ensure that your computer data is well protected and that when you have to use public computers or computers in the office, that you take the necessary precautions. This is because the damage can be colossal and difficult to recover from.</p><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0"><tr><td valign="top"><div class="sig"><p>Read more on <a target="_new" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.teamspyware.com">spyware dangers you need to be aware of</a>.</p></div></td><td><div style="padding:0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; border-width: 1px 1px 1px 1px; border-style: solid; border-color: white; background-color: white;"></div></td></tr></table></div><!--UdmComment-->