What is it ?

Spyware is computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user's interaction with the computer, without the user's informed consent. Spyware software is very dangerous and this illegal software can record your internet history, passwords, and some spyware can also record other confidential and private information.

Internet advertising (adware) has been criticized for sometimes including code that tracks a user's personal information and passes it on to third parties without the user's authorization or knowledge. This practice has been dubbed spyware and has prompted an outcry from computer security and privacy advocates, including the Electronic Privacy Information Center.

Here are some common signs that you have been infected:
- Your PC is running unusually slow.
- Ads are popping up even when your browser isn't running.
- Your home page has been hijacked.
- Antispyware and/or antivirus applications aren't working correctly. Some spyware programs will sabotage the programs designed to detect and eliminate them.
- There's been a dramatic increase in your network's traffic, eating up bandwidth and crippling performance.