Generally speaking, spyware refers to any computer program that gathers information about a person without his or her knowledge. Spyware programs can track your Internet page views, allow someone else to read your email, and even record your keyboard strokes. They are obviously cause for alarm.
The Yahoo! Spyware and Adware Category features several resources, such as 2-Spyware.Com and SpyChecker.Com, which offer information about the most common spyware programs, as well as anti-spyware downloads. Spyware Watch offers a general tutorial on detecting and removing spyware programs.
With new spyware legislation pending in Congress, the issue has become a hot topic in the press. A word to the wise: Check yourcookies, avoid suspicious downloads, and in a work environment treat your emails like postcards.
For details on how Yahoo! protects the information of its users, refer to the Privacy Policy, which is linked at the bottom of every Yahoo! page.
if your computer starts to behave strangely, you might have spyware or other unwanted software installed on your computer.
- I see pop-up advertisements all the time. Some unwanted software will bombard you with pop-up ads that aren't related to a particular Web site you're visiting.These ads are often for adult or other Web sites you may find objectionable. If you see pop-up ads as soon as you turn on your computer or when you're not even browsing the Web, you might have spyware or other unwanted software on your computer.
- My settings have changed and I can't change them back to the way they were. Some unwanted software can change your home page or search page settings. Even if you adjust these settings, you might find that they revert back every time you restart your computer.
- My Web browser contains additional components that I don't remember downloading.Spyware and other unwanted software can add toolbars to your Web browser that you don't want or need. Even if you remove these toolbars, they might return each time you restart your computer.
- My computer seems sluggish. Spyware and other unwanted software are not designed to be efficient. The resources these programs use to track your activities and deliver advertisements can slow down your computer and errors in the software can make your computer crash. If you notice a sudden increase in the number of times a certain program crashes, or if your computer is slower than normal at performing routine tasks, you may have spyware or other unwanted software on your machine.
