Software Spyware is a term used to describe a broad category of malicious or privacy invading software. Spyware is very much like a virus in the way that it "infects" a computer's operation and functioning without the owner/user's consent. Spyware infects a host by a number of different ways. One way that spyware is distributed is by hiding it inside another piece of software. Disguising software in such a way is very sneaky but is usually not illegal. Often enough, when installing the original software there will be a contract that you must read and accept to continue. About 99% of people never take the time to fully read that contract because if they did, they would learn that the software they are installing would also be installing spyware to do a number of nasty things. Business - All business/finance/loan/mortgage related link can be found here more 1 2 3 4 5 Computers - All computer hardware/software/peripheral related link can be found here more 1 2 3 4 5 Internet - All webhosting/webdesign/internet marketing related link can be found here more 1 2 3 4 5 Software - All software related link can be found here more 1 2 3 4 5 Web Design - All web design/development related link can be found here more 1 2 3 4 5 Web Hosting - All web hosting related link can be found here more 1 2 3 4 5 Web Promotion - All search engine optimization/internet marketing related link can be found here more 1 2 3 4 5 Web Resources - All other web related link can be found here more 1 2 3 4 5 Recreation - All travel/hotel/cruise related link can be found here more 1 2 3 4 5 Casino - All online gambling/poker/blackjack/roulette related link can be found here more 1 2 3 4 5 Health - All online pharmacy/hospital/health related link can be found here more 1 2 3 4 5 Shopping - All online shopping/gift related link can be found here more 1 2 3 4 5 Miscellaneous - All other links can be found here more 1 2 3 4 5   As you can see spyware is usually an undesirable piece of software. The sad truth is that over 75% of all Internet connected computers are infected with spyware. That number continues to grow because spyware often reproduces itself automatically by sending itself to other computers from infected hosts. Essentially growing exponentially out of control. Even major multi-million dollar businesses undergo a tremendous battle against spyware, spending thousands and thousands of dollars every year. The problem with this is that while battling against spyware they are actually attracting more of it. If only they would put the time, money and resources into having computer and network systems free and immune to spyware will they ever win the war against it.