what exactly is spyware?
548817
download SPYBOT and also ADAWARE - run them, and they'll tell you what's on your system\n\nYou also NEED a firewall and an ANTI VIRUS !!!!\n\n\nGood luck          ;^)
80457
For spyware solutions, Spybot Search & Destroy is great.  If you are willing to try Microsoft's beta, consider MS Defender.  Both are currently free.\n\nhttp://www.safer-networking.org/\nhttp://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d&DisplayLang=en\n\nDon't forget to always update the spyware definitions before scanning.\n\nThe best way to prevent spyware is to not go to suspicious websites, open unknown attachments, click on links from spam, etc.  Also, clear your cookies and run your anti-spyware program from time to time.
1155646
Spyware:\nIn the field of computing, the term spyware refers to a broad category of malicious software designed to intercept or take partial control of a computer's operation without the informed consent of that machine's owner or legitimate user. 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.\n\nIn simpler terms, spyware is a type of program that watches after what users do with their computer and then send this information to a hacker over the internet. Spyware can collect many different types of information about a user. More benign programs can attempt to track what types of websites a user visits and send this information to an advertisement agency. More malicious version can try to record what a user types to try to intercept passwords or credit card numbers. Yet other versions simply launch popups with advertisements.\n\nSpyware differs from viruses and worms in that it does not usually self-replicate. Like many recent viruses, however, spyware – by design – exploits 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.\n\nAs of 2005, spyware has become one of the pre-eminent security threats to computer-systems running Microsoft Windows operating-systems (and especially to users of Internet Explorer because of that browser's collaboration with the Windows operating system). Some malware on the Linux and Mac OS X platforms has behavior similar to Windows spyware, but to date has not become anywhere near as widespread due to their comparatively smaller user base; because Microsoft products are the most prevalent on the market currently, it is more productive for hackers to write spyware to target these products, and not Linux or Mac OS.\n\n\n\n\nAdware:\nAdware or advertising-supported software is any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertising material to a computer after the software is installed on it or while the application is being used.
380955
Limewire is a free, downloadable file sharing program that does contain spyware. You can download it from limewire.com, but it might mess up your computer.  I had it for about three months and it was working great, and then bad things started happening. I was getting a ridiculous amount of popups and my computer started going really slow. It came to the point where I couldn't even work on it at all. I had to pay for a repairman to fix it and he took the program off for me and now my computer is running perfectly. So, use it at your own risk.
398444
I think it is unintentional sabotage - some of these programs are written terribly, and when they run they slow down peoples systems (especially when there are many spyware programs running)\n\nAnother reason is that many spyware applications are designed by people who write spyware removal software! So they are basiscally brumming up their own business by infecting peoples computers!\n\nIt's a bit like a doctor who intentionally infects you with a disease, just so they can get paid for multiple visits!  It's sick.
345032
JUST THE ANSWER: Initially spyware doesn't really effect your system except in its use of your system resources it can slow things down. However spyware is more dangerous than a virus because it can depending on the nature of the spyware do anything from steal all your i.d.'s and passwords, corrupt your programs or take control of your web browsing.
462401
Use an anti-virus program, rather than anti-spyware. Also make sure you have a firewall up. Trojan means it's hidden in some other program, and installed secretly when you installed that program, so make sure you're not unknowingly putting it back on your computer yourself over and over.
503730
adaware + spybot + ms windows defender beta\n\nuse them all, they pick up different things
281326
It's likely to be a virus.  Spyware is usually for observing your internet surfing habits.
177212
Not necessarily.  \nFor the most part you want to block/remove any spyware that your software finds.  However, there are some applications that use cookies for legitimate purposes.  You should be aware of what you are blocking/removing from your computer. \n \nMy recommendation would be to block/remove anything detected and if a program stops working or starts responding in an undesired way, go back and allow the corresponding item(s).\n\n9 times out of 10 you should be doing what your anti-malware suggests.
321493
Download Spybot search and destroy and scan your computer for Spyware.
60824
Well if it is indeed adware and spyware, your best bet is adware and spyware removal programs. \n\nSpybot is probably the best spyware removal program, as it is free (they work only on donations), quick, and effective most of all. \n\nAd-aware is great for adware, and also has a free version with no BS sewn into it. \n\nBoth of these have saved my butt many, many times. And keep on working for me. The links are in my sources.
541338
I think you've misunderstood the term "spyware". There isn't a single person (with a Yahoo! ID) spying on you, looking at all you do. It's simply software installed without your intent, which sends information about your surfing habits etc. to an unscrupulous company.
213966
spyware, its old, too many programs open etc...
1109459
info and directions here...\nhttp://www.spywareguide.com/product_show.php?id=469\n\nfyi: whenever i find an unknown program, i google it, or if you prefer, yahoo it. Oodles of info available!
256202
This is a good thing!  It looks like you had spyware at one point but don't any more.
139204
yes, everheared of the word spyware?