Spyware are basically programs that unethically gather user information and report them back to the host website. This is mainly done in order to ensure easy advertising.

Listed below are a few examples of common spywares:

Internet Cookies: The basic function of a cookie is to make the web much easier to navigate. Cookies are the best source to get accurate information about the activities of the internet user and are being used by almost all major site designers.

Adware: Adware also known as advertising-supported software can be described as any software which automatically displays, plays, or downloads advertisements to a computer after it has been installed or when the application is being used. The main function of this software is to present advertising pertinent to the types of goods or services featured in that particular site which the user is browsing.

Hijackers: These are one of the worst of spywares. These may get installed on your computer whenever you visit some site, that too without your slightest knowledge. It is usually difficult to detect the file causing problem on your system, but, through some alertness you can at least detect that your system has been infiltrated by some hijack program. One of the hints is when you try to open Internet Explorer and a completely different page pops up on your screen.

Some other spyware examples include:

• Keyloggers
• Form Fillers
• Trackware
• Downloader