We’re often asked “What is spyware?”, but the answer isn’t always cut and dry. In theory, spyware is any software installed on your computer, typically without your knowledge, which is used to track your computer usage, change your PC’s configuration without telling you, and/or display unwanted advertising. In practice, however, many types of software could be loosely defined as spyware without being malicious.

Spyware is computer software that can be customized to monitor anything you type, any web site you go to, or any habits you have when you use your computer. Because of this, the inference is that any piece of software that monitors any aspect of your computing can be considered spyware if you take it to the extreme. However, some software by it’s very nature needs to monitor your computer usage, files opened, and software downloaded. Malware and other scam software packages aren’t likely to tell you about their installation, much less any changes they make to your system. Because there are so many rogue applications out there, you should evaluate any piece of software that you download and install in order to come to an informed decision of whether they are using the information gathered, and any system changes, for good or bad.

Symptoms of a computer with a spyware infection include, but are not limited to:

  • Increased amounts of unwanted popups, generally for advertising purposes. These popups may also occur when you’re not surfing the web.
  • Uncharacteristically slow computer response, especially when opening, closing, or saving files.
  • A sudden, unintentional change in your browser’s homepage. This will often occur even after repeated attempts to reset your homepage back to your original one.
  • New browser toolbars, desktop icons, bookmarks, or applications installed without your knowledge.
  • A “hijacked browser” that takes you to web sites other than those you typed into your address bar.

In some cases, however, you may experience no symptoms at all, especially if the spyware installed is only monitoring your usage and not actively directing you to web sites or advertisements. That’s where some basic Internet security comes in, by having antivirus, antispyware, and firewall software installed, updated, and running 24/7 to help protect you against the real spyware that’s out there.