Intrusive programs downloaded into your computer when you visit certain disreputable web sites. They track your web surfing preferences and can be used to corrupt your computer or to generate spam mail or even to steal your credit card information.
by J E Walker May 2, 2003
Get the spy ware mug.Spyware Quake is a fake spyware-removal program that actually is spyware in itself. It is characterized by a gray-silver program that says it removes spyware. Also, two alternate HTMLs come up called "Online Security Guide" and "Security Troubleshooting". These come up as green and blue shield symbols with checkmarks. Your computer will continue to remind you that you are infected with spyware, even though these reminders are part of Spyware Quake itself. Spyware Quake is downloaded through VCodec.
by KALINSKY April 30, 2006
Get the spyware quake mug.Related Words
The crap we find in most pop up blockers (believe it or not!) Gator E-Wallet and other things.
Let me explain what spyware is. First, it is a myth to say it that spyware is made to harm your computer, though I will explain why it eventually does. It is simply a tracking tool built into another piece of software, and by itself is harmless, though arguably, an invasion of privacy as it tracks your trends to report them to various marketing statistics companies. Fine, fine, we can all do a small part to help the economy this way.
However, with about a dozen or so pieces of software on your computer infested with spyware, all trying to track and submit marketing statistics at the same time, your computer becomes slower and slower. This is the harm that it does, and for some people their computer is an annoyance to use. Programs may take a minute to open, the computer takes minutes to load, and multitasking may cause the computer to freeze. The problem of spyware became a harmful problem, I believe, in the past year when many software companies added spyware to their software around the same timeframe. It was hard not to find software without spyware.
HERE ARE THE MAIN FACTS:
Spyware can track your Internet activity.
Spyware can change your search page.
Spyware can change your homepage.
Spyware can change your "not found" page.
Spyware can slow down your computer.
Spyware installs itself within another piece of software.
Spyware is not included in all software.
Some spyware is harmless while another can take more advantage of your computer's processing capability.
It is not the end of the world to have spyware on your computer as long as you are able to delete it.
Spyware is commonly found in (some) pop-up blockers, (some) browser toolbars and (some) other addons.
Spyware is also the common cause of dreaded infinate pop-ups. This happens when you find a link, click on it, and are spammed with "Page Not Found"s. The main way, and what I believe is the best way, to delete it is to use a Swedish (it uses English, but it was made in sweden) called Ad-Aware 6.0. The program is free unless you want an internet watcher with it. It takes only a minute or two to scan and the first time I scanned, I deleted over 500 files of multiplying spyware on my c: drive!
ALL computers should get scanned at least once a week, because I find my spyware multiplies 5 times a day.
Let me explain what spyware is. First, it is a myth to say it that spyware is made to harm your computer, though I will explain why it eventually does. It is simply a tracking tool built into another piece of software, and by itself is harmless, though arguably, an invasion of privacy as it tracks your trends to report them to various marketing statistics companies. Fine, fine, we can all do a small part to help the economy this way.
However, with about a dozen or so pieces of software on your computer infested with spyware, all trying to track and submit marketing statistics at the same time, your computer becomes slower and slower. This is the harm that it does, and for some people their computer is an annoyance to use. Programs may take a minute to open, the computer takes minutes to load, and multitasking may cause the computer to freeze. The problem of spyware became a harmful problem, I believe, in the past year when many software companies added spyware to their software around the same timeframe. It was hard not to find software without spyware.
HERE ARE THE MAIN FACTS:
Spyware can track your Internet activity.
Spyware can change your search page.
Spyware can change your homepage.
Spyware can change your "not found" page.
Spyware can slow down your computer.
Spyware installs itself within another piece of software.
Spyware is not included in all software.
Some spyware is harmless while another can take more advantage of your computer's processing capability.
It is not the end of the world to have spyware on your computer as long as you are able to delete it.
Spyware is commonly found in (some) pop-up blockers, (some) browser toolbars and (some) other addons.
Spyware is also the common cause of dreaded infinate pop-ups. This happens when you find a link, click on it, and are spammed with "Page Not Found"s. The main way, and what I believe is the best way, to delete it is to use a Swedish (it uses English, but it was made in sweden) called Ad-Aware 6.0. The program is free unless you want an internet watcher with it. It takes only a minute or two to scan and the first time I scanned, I deleted over 500 files of multiplying spyware on my c: drive!
ALL computers should get scanned at least once a week, because I find my spyware multiplies 5 times a day.
When Morikot clicked on the link for Runescape, a million popups knocked her down. She had to reboot (restart) her computer and download Ad-Aware 6.0. so she could defend herself against spyware.
by Erin Wolf The Werewolf May 19, 2004
Get the spyware mug.software that collects personal information about the user be that mining one's workstation or monitoring one's behavior
voluntarily using such software makes it no less spyware
spyware is malware
voluntarily using such software makes it no less spyware
spyware is malware
most google software is spyware: google profits from information collection and displaying ads targeted to harvested information. Even when people knowingly install such software it is no less spyware or malware. Google Chrome is spyware: why else would google assign every user a UNIQUE non-cookie id? All the better to track you with my dear.
(Iron, built on chromium like chrome is built on chromium, however is not spyware. SRware makes Iron. Use Iron if you want chromium goodness. Iron comes with adblocking)
most software in the android market is malware posing as freeware. that software which renders internet ads is: adware (showing ads), spyware (collecting information about which sites one uses and which applicaiton one uses, and details about one's phone), and malware (acting against the best interest of the user). Root your android phone (with z4root or SuperOneClick) and install DroidWall, Permissions Denied, Privacy Blocker, Tasker, and LBE privacy guard to stop most of that shit.
"paying" developers by allowing them to privacy rape you is FOOLISH. That COST is too high
spyware is ANTITHETICAL to free (opposite of free)
(Iron, built on chromium like chrome is built on chromium, however is not spyware. SRware makes Iron. Use Iron if you want chromium goodness. Iron comes with adblocking)
most software in the android market is malware posing as freeware. that software which renders internet ads is: adware (showing ads), spyware (collecting information about which sites one uses and which applicaiton one uses, and details about one's phone), and malware (acting against the best interest of the user). Root your android phone (with z4root or SuperOneClick) and install DroidWall, Permissions Denied, Privacy Blocker, Tasker, and LBE privacy guard to stop most of that shit.
"paying" developers by allowing them to privacy rape you is FOOLISH. That COST is too high
spyware is ANTITHETICAL to free (opposite of free)
by FuckMalware June 18, 2011
Get the spyware mug.Noun
Any company who frequently includes spyware with their software, (ususally freeware or shareware). The company may issue frequent updates (like Bearshare) to ensure that the unaware keep it installed in their system.
The word indicates a company relies upon spyware for a major part of their revenue.
Any company who frequently includes spyware with their software, (ususally freeware or shareware). The company may issue frequent updates (like Bearshare) to ensure that the unaware keep it installed in their system.
The word indicates a company relies upon spyware for a major part of their revenue.
by 4x4_Man August 26, 2005
Get the spyware whore mug.gay shit made by assholes that will hopfully go to hell for their greed (if there is a such thing as hell)
by stewfoo January 13, 2005
Get the spyware mug.fuckers who try to trick you by putting ads on webpages saying they will actually help your computer with their software when really they want you to download it so they can get info about you and fuck you and your computer over. and some people are dumb enough to believe them.
but sometimes they can get in your computer manually. spyware usually hides itself in photos, internet pages, ads, and videos. oh and if an ad suddenly appears while you're surfing, and has no title and tells you that you have spyware on your computer, that's spyware and you have it on your computer.
don't download that program. use real programs to delete that trash, programs such as adaware spybot prevx1 etc.
but sometimes they can get in your computer manually. spyware usually hides itself in photos, internet pages, ads, and videos. oh and if an ad suddenly appears while you're surfing, and has no title and tells you that you have spyware on your computer, that's spyware and you have it on your computer.
don't download that program. use real programs to delete that trash, programs such as adaware spybot prevx1 etc.
Example of shitty Spyware Ad:
SpyWare Detected! Your personal data is in danger!
Remote Computer (195.126.18.11) gained full control over your system. Default security software is unable to stop this active spyware threat. Your personal information is in danger.
Click here to Download SpyGone!
SpyWare Detected! Your personal data is in danger!
Remote Computer (195.126.18.11) gained full control over your system. Default security software is unable to stop this active spyware threat. Your personal information is in danger.
Click here to Download SpyGone!
by halalb April 19, 2006
Get the spyware mug.