Spyware Champions
May 16, 2008 – 6:16 pmAdware is computer software that is designed to display advertising. The problem with adware is that it does not need the user’s consent to do its job. It is invasive.
photo credit: Paperghost
Spyware is different from adware because if it’s advertising supported software is designed to spy on you through the window of your personal computer. It tracks where the user has gone and perhaps where he will go. It works completely behind the scenes. Whether it is recording where you go, your personal information, or depositing you in the middle of a pornographic website. The spyware is hidden in a bundle of programs. The user does not know that the program is running. That is what makes it so dangerous. An estimated nine out of ten computers on the web today are infected with spyware programs.
There is hope out there in the form of spyware blocking programs. It is very common and almost everyone knows of its importance. The Spyware Coalition has been working in the industry to formulate guidelines that state what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. They are educating people about the dangers of spyware and pushing through legislation that will help in technologically advancing spyware blocking programs.