A general term for programs that, surreptitiously, monitors actions on computers. While they are sometimes sinister, like a remote control program used by a hacker, software companies have been known to use spyware to gather data about customers. The practice is generally frowned upon (2) google Define service.
Unlike cookies, spyware can have access of all information and resources on targeted computers. Moreover, spyware can work with low-level devices such as keyboards and mousses. Every single key-stork or mouse click is monitored by spyware.
What is spyware made for?
Spyware is a very sensitive and dangerous tool. However, it is, at the same time, important to make your internet surfing faster and more personal. Spyware keep track of your favorite online websites and personalize you internet.
Looking at the behavior of spyware for the first time makes it look like cookies. However spyware is way more advanced than cookies.
cookies have no access to any sort of information or data on computers and that is because cookies are not executable files. In other words, cookies do not search uses’ hard drive for any data. Moreover, cookies are easy to detect. They are usually stored in the primary partition “System drive” under a folder called “Internet Temporary Folder”. Cookies can be easily deleted as well, by right-clicking of Internet Explorer choose Options and then click on delete cookies.
In 2000 Dr. Salah Eddin Mahmoud lunched a marketing website in Jordan that deals with customers around the world. This website can adjust it self according to each customers’ need by using spyware. The website changes its interface and contents according to a customer actions. For example, if a customer likes to look for new hard drives frequently, this customer, logically, will spend more time surfing through similar webpages. The spyware on this customer’s PC tracks that and passes this statistics to its control program that controls popups and advertisings…etc. Now, this customer’s interface will contain more information about hard drives and latest parts and deals. If try to compare the same website from two deferent users, the website will look partially deferent.
How does spyware get to computers?
These days lots of free programs are available on the internet. However, a customer may not pay money to get these programs, in the other hand; customers pay the price from their own privacy. Spyware comes with, almost, every free application. It downloads it self on PCs and keep track of actions on PCs such as: websites that are opened most frequently, application that are used the most, personal information… etc. spyware does not keep these information to it self, spyware sends these information back to its developer company (the company that made the spyware). In other words, spyware works as a live server keeping the mother company updated about users’ activities.
If you have any questions regarding this topic please PM me