If you are a computer user that surfs the internet, it is extremely important to be aware of Spyware. Spyware has been around for a few years and has caused plenty of frustration and theft to computer users. Spyware are small programs that are usually inadvertently downloaded along with free applications on the net. Spyware is usually bundled together with peer to peer programs, screen saver programs and other in demand software titles.

Another way that Spyware can enter your computer is for a user to click on a deceptive link. For instance, in an email, you might see a link to save 50% on an iPOD. When you click on this link, you will instead be taken to a web site, where you inadvertently download a dangerous Spyware program. The download process may only take a few seconds and you may not even notice that Spyware was secretly installed on your computer.

Spyware can be dangerous in a few major ways; Spyware tracks your web movements, keeps records of your key logs, and Spyware reports this information back to a database. Spyware also runs in the background, while your computer is on and steals valuable resources while computing.

Many people don’t realize that they have downloaded Spyware. Many applications that bundle Spyware with their product usually state that there is a spyware program in the EULA or end user licensing agreement. You usually have to check the fine print in the licensing agreement to find out if you are downloading other applications.

Some Spyware programs have the ability not only to track your web surfing habits but to record keywords, passwords, personal information and other confidential information. There are many names for Spyware, some people call Spyware snoopware, internet monitoring software, and even parental control software. Popular titles of Spyware include Gator also called Claria, Coolwebsearch and Cydoor.

If you think that you have Spyware on your computer or would like to protect yourself from it, there are many new products on the market as well as established programs that can protect your computer from the most prevalent Spyware applications on the net. Many anti-virus software programs also weed out Spyware from your computer. There are also a few special utilities that can find and delete Spyware from your computer. Sometimes Spyware is difficult to uninstall because it is intertwined with a free downloaded application that must also be removed. If you would like to protect yourself, follow the above tips to identify and remove the common forms of Spyware.

Learn more about Spyware, Adware, Malware and Virus protection from the Spywaredude