The name Spyware can invoke the vivid image of a dark figure dressed in a rain coat and hat lurking in the shadows while spying on an unsuspecting person. This description is close! The term Spyware as it relates to computers is defined as any software program that secretly gathers information on the computer users through that user's Internet connection without their knowledge or permission. In most cases the information gathered is used for advertising purposes. Other names used for Spyware are Adware, Key Loggers that keep track of your keystrokes, system monitors and Trojan horses. Are your hands getting clammy yet?

How can this happen? It goes back to the old adage that you do not get something for nothing. Spyware applications are typically bundled as a hidden component within something you have downloaded for free (freeware or shareware) on the Internet. A good example of freeware is Kazaa. Kazaa is a file sharing program that lets you download (save to the computer's hard drive) all types of files such as MP3s and video clips along with software, images and documents. (MP3s are small audio files that are used to deliver music over the Internet) The file sharing part comes into play once the songs have been downloaded to your hard drive where they can be shared with others. The down side of all this great free stuff is bundled with Kazaa is several Spyware programs. Is the hair standing up on your neck yet?

Once installed, Spyware monitors the computer user's activity and transmits that information back to the "mother ship." This all happens quietly in the background while you are connected to the Internet. Some Spyware can even collect such personal information as email addresses and passwords. Spyware can change your Web browser home page, also known has hijacking, and add bookmarks to your favorites list. And, of course, there are those annoying pop-up ads. Spyware is classified as a program and once on your system can perform almost any function its creator has chosen. While Spyware silently sends information back to home base, it uses precious system resources and can slow down your Internet connection by using your transmission space also known as bandwidth. Because Spyware is using memory and system resources while running in the background it can lead to system crashes or general system instability.

Okay, take a deep breadth—help is on the way. There is a whole software business that neutralizes Spyware. Some free neutralizers are: Spybot-Search and Destroy by PepiMK Software and Ad-aware by Lavasoft and BPS Spyware/Adware Remover. A word of caution—be careful what files are removed by anti-spyware software. An example is CyDoor, which is part of Kazaa. When removed, Kazaa may not work.

Shush, do you hear that Pink Panther music playing and see that darting figure traveling through the shadows!

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