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Spyware is software that you intentially or unintentionally install
on your computer that tracks your internet activity. The software
then periodically transmit this information back to another person.
In most cases spyware is used to track behavior for an advertising
purpose.
Spyware will usually come bundled with software that use and appreciate.
Some spyware can change your computer's settings slowing it and
bringing it to a crawl. I have had to reformat my computer's hard
drive twice due to the performance problems I got for spyware in
the past.
Not all spyware is bad. In some cases you may use a program like
a free email client and in return you agree to allow them to show
you ads. They gather information about what you like by tracking
your usuage of their program and send you ads targetted to that
behavior. For instance, you are a baseball nut. The software can
tell this because one in every ten emails you send include the phrase
"pitch", "home run", and/or "batting". A baseball movie comes out
and advertise in their software. Guess what ad you will continually
see?
To avoid spyware, just make sure to read every disclosure prior
to downloading and installing any programs.
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