Introduction to Spyware Keyloggers Thursday, 14 April 2005, 18:42 GMT
Spyware is a categorical term given to applications and software that log information about a user's online habits and report back to the software's creators.
The effects of these programs range from unwanted pop-up ads and browser hijacking to more dangerous security breaches, which include the theft of personal information, keystroke logging, changing dialup ISP numbers to expensive toll numbers, and installing backdoors on a system that leave it open for hackers.