Spyware refers to software that is installed onto a computer without the user's consent and collects information about the user. It can impact users' privacy by exposing personal information, security by lowering security settings, and experience through unwanted ads and slowed performance. Symptoms of spyware infection include programs disappearing from task manager and unexpected search results. Users can help prevent spyware by using a firewall, updating software, adjusting security settings, installing antispyware tools, and downloading safely.

1. Topic of discussion: SPYWARE

2. Description of spyware Any software that gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually for advertising purposes. 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. On the Internet (where it is sometimes called a spybot or tracking software ), spyware is programming that is put in someone's computer to secretly gather information about the user and relay it to advertisers or other interested parties. can get in a computer as a software virus or as the result of installing a new program.

3. Effects and Risk of Spyware Privacy : Compromising the user’s information or data, such as Exposure to fraud or identity theft Loss of personal information Unauthorized tracking Security : Impacting the system integrity of the computer, such as Attacking the computer, or using it as part of an attack Exposing the computer to risk by lowering security settings Using computer resources in an unauthorized manner Hiding programs from the user User Experience : Impacting the user’s functionality of the computer, such as Delivering unexpected advertisements Changing settings Creating system instability or slowing performance

4. Symptoms of Spyware Infection If you have AdAware or Spybot S&D, should either one open, and appear for a few seconds, then disappear without scanning, more than likely, it's a variant of CoolWebSearch infection. Every time you do a search, you wind up at the same unusual and unknown web site-search engine, or you get 1-3 pages of unrelated search results, before getting to your actual search. There is a new program or multiple programs in the Add/Remove Programs section of your control panel.

5. You're unable to access any of these: task manager, regedit, MSCONFIG, they just pop up and disappear. Your desktop has been changed to a web page or some type of notice that your PC is infected and you cannot change it. You get a lot of returned emails from people you don't know.

6. Steps to avoid Spyware Step 1: Use a firewall provides a helpful defense against these hackers. Step 2: Update your software make sure all your software is updated. Step 3: Adjust Internet Explorer security settings You can adjust your Internet Explorer Web browser's security settings to determine how much information you are willing to accept from a Web site. Step 4: Download and install antispyware protection Additional security tools to help block, detect, and remove unwanted software from your computer Step 5: Surf and download more safely The best defense against spyware and other unwanted software is not to download it in the first place.

7. Source of Reference http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/s/spyware.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spyware http://searchcrm.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid11_gci214518,00.html http://www.antispywarecoalition.org/documents/riskmodel.htm http://www.infopackets.com/channels/en/windows/temerc_antispyware/2005/20051115_spyware_infection_symptoms.htm http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/spyware/prevent.mspx