There might or might not be a spy in your machine.
Not the James Bond kind. Even smaller, and virtual.
Spyware, malware and adware are programs downloaded onto your computer from the Internet.
Spyware – secretly installed onto a machine without permission. Spyware collects personal or proprietary information about a user or corporation that is then sent to an unauthorized third party.
Spyware is now used to gather:
- passwords
- e-mail addresses
- contact information
- credit card and account numbers
- confidential documents and records
Malware – hardware or software intentionally included or inserted in a computer system to harm the machine
Adware – is installed at the same time as a shareware or similar program to continue to generate advertising even when the user is not running the originally installed program.