Spyware

Spyware is a broad category of malicious software intended to intercept or take partial control of a computer's operation without the user's informed consent. While the term taken literally suggests software that surreptitiously monitors the user, it has come to refer more broadly to software that subverts the computer's operation for the benefit of a third party.

Related Topics:
Malicious software - Computer - Informed consent

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Spyware differs from viruses and worms in that it does not usually self-replicate. Like many recent viruses, spyware is designed to exploit infected computers for commercial gain. Typical tactics furthering this goal include delivery of unsolicited pop-up advertisements; theft of personal information (including financial information such as credit card numbers); monitoring of Web-browsing activity for marketing purposes; or routing of HTTP requests to advertising sites. In some cases, spyware may be used to verify compliance with a software license agreement (or EULA).

Related Topics:
Viruses - Worms - Many recent viruses - Pop-up advertisement - Credit card number - Marketing - HTTP

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As of 2005, spyware is only a common problem for computers running Microsoft Windows operating systems. Some worms or rootkits able to attack Linux and other Unix platforms include spyware-like functions, and keyloggers or other similar monitoring software exists for nearly every operating system.

Related Topics:
2005 - Microsoft Windows - Rootkit - Linux - Unix - Keyloggers

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