Spyware is considered to be any software that gathers users information without their knowledge. This is done through their Internet connection for the purpose of advertising. Once this software is downloaded, it can take control of different aspects of your computer without your consent. Most spyware is used to gather information such as website visits, e-mail, as well as passwords.

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Once this information is collected, it is then sent back to the originating website. Spyware applications are typically installed along side other programs. Many programs such as freeware that you download may have spyware bundled with them. That is why it is important to read the disclaimer before downloading any program. That is not to say you will not get spyware if the program does not state it. Many programs that come from file sharing programs will have spyware attached to them without you knowing. This is not to say that all spyware is bad. Many programs let you know that spyware will be installed on your computer for the purpose of sending you advertisements. While this seems harmless enough, there is a downside to having too much spyware.

Since spyware reports tracking information back to the source, it utilizes many of your systems resources. When this tracking information is sent back to the source web site, your Internet will start to slow down because of the program uploading information. As this happens, your memory and CPU are also being used to run these programs. Depending on the spyware on your computer, you could see a speed decrease of 50 to 75 percent. While some spyware programs do not drain you system resources, some control your Internet browser. You will know when this happens because your home page may automatically send you to another site. If your homepage is not redirected, many sites that you visit could be.

Spyware is just one type of program that is installed along with other programs. Adware is another program that is installed, but it is not as malicious as spyware. Most people refer to any program that is causing problems to computers as spyware. The fact is, viruses can cause detrimental effects to your computer and act like spyware. I am sure many who are reading this has had severe infections where their desktop background is changed and they no longer have access to their control panel. When this happens, you are prompted to download the advertised anti-spyware to get rid of it. This is one thing you should never do. You should identify the cause of the infection and find ways to get rid of it.

I will identify most infections, whether they are viruses, worms, or adware, as spyware. This has been a general term used by people who do not know the difference. There are ways to clean your system of most spyware and prevent further infections from taking control. Of course there are times when the malicious programs cause so much destruction, that the only way to get your computer back to 100 percent is to reformat the drive and do a complete reinstall. I have only had to do this a few times, and try to avoid this at all cost. Simply because it is a lot of trouble to install all of the original programs back on to the computer.