What is Spyware? / What is Anti-Spy Software

Spyware can record your keystrokes, history, passwords, and other confidential and private information. 

Spyware is also known as: snoopware, PC surveillance, key loggers, system recorders, Parental control software, PC recorder, Detective software and Internet monitoring software. 

Spyware covertly gathers user information and activity without the user's knowledge. Spy software can record your keystrokes as you type them, passwords, credit card numbers, sensitive information, where you surf, chat logs, and can even take random screenshots of your activity. Basically whatever you do on the computer is completely viewable by the spy. You do not have to be connected to the Internet to be spied upon. 

The latest permutations of Spyware include the use of routines to mail out user activity via e-mail or posting information to the web where the spy can view it at their leisure. Also many spyware vendors use stealth routines and polymorphic techniques to avoid detection and removal by popular anti-spy software. In some cases spyware, known as a retrospy, will counter-attack anti-spy packages by attempting to disable the program. 

In addition they may use routines to re-install the spyware application after it has been detected.

Anti-spy software is a program designed to detect and defeat Spyware and adware which scans your hard disk for spy programs. Like anti-virus programs, anti-spy programs need to be updated to scan for new spyware applications AND more importantly scan for changes in existing spyware applications.