Spyware

1. Term used to describe a software program that is intentionally installed on the computer by a user to monitor or spy on what other users of the same computer are doing.
2. A term used to describe a software program that has been designed to track a user's activity without the user fully understanding the intentions of the program or not knowing about its installation. Spyware programs are often used to help with tracking users' habits and help with delivering proper advertisements to a user. Spyware is installed onto a user's machine when installing free programs such as free music sharing programs, visiting web pages such as adult oriented web pages, and through other downloads and plug-ins on the Internet.

• Additional information about Spyware, Malware, and Adware programs being installed and/or your browser being hijacked can be found on document CH000578.
• Information about how your computer becomes infected with spyware, viruses and other malware can be found on document CH001045.

Also see: Adware, BHO, Malware, Policeware, Security definitions, Software