Title: Under The Covers- Spyware Hard At Work! Word Count: 642 Summary: Spyware is normally launched using stealth tactics and is masquerading as freeware or adware. An analysis and tracking program which will report your online activities to an advertiser's site for storage and analysis is also installed on your system when you install the 'freeware' and is not disclosed. result - you need at least one spyware removal software and probably two. There has been a lot of argument about whether or not the name spyware connotes illegality in softw... Keywords: spyware removal software Article Body: Spyware is normally launched using stealth tactics and is masquerading as freeware or adware. An analysis and tracking program which will report your online activities to an advertiser's site for storage and analysis is also installed on your system when you install the 'freeware' and is not disclosed. result - you need at least one spyware removal software and probably two. There has been a lot of argument about whether or not the name spyware connotes illegality in software. Clearly, in and of itself it does not. However, what adware and spyware writers and publishers do with the information they gather under this method and what they're planning to put on your computer that you know nothing about is another matter. Most of today's attacks begin with what seemed to you to be innocuous and what happens as a result is done almost always withpout your consent or where your consent is gathered discretely without your clear and thorough understanding of it's implications. The current crop of spyware threats are amazingly resourceful and varied. The spyware "sower" can be malware which modifies system settings, performs undesirable tasks on your system, hijacks your browser to web sites, dials a service (most likely porn sites) for which you will be charged, puts a trojan horse attached to a program on your machine which will work away uninvited doing things you don't want done, install collectware which gathers information about you and your browsing persona. The spyware removal software that you purchase has to be maintained current continuously so make sure that the one you buy is rated highly in this regard and uses a data base that is regarded as top quality. There are more things that likely will occur. Spyware can install DLLs and other executables, send continuous data to it's parent, leave a backdoor to your computer open for hackers to intercept your personal data and probably enter your computer, install programs on your computer, send/receive cookies to other spyware programs, add Trojan horses to your system. The bulk of spyware and adware programs are independent executable files which adopt your authorization protocols. The attributes of these visitors are auto install and auto update capabilities and usually report any removal or modification attempts. Spyware programs will also reset your auto signature, disable or bypass your uninstall features, monitor your keystrokes, scan files on your drive, access your applications, change homepages in addition to displaying advertising content online or offline. They read, write and delete files and even reformat your hard drive and they do this while sending a steady stream of information back to the advertising and marketing companies. Many spywares are extremely hard to remove from your computer. You may think you have removed every last trace of a discovered spyware program but remnants can remain that will rear their ugly heads once more and reinstall the unwanted guest. Make sure your spyware remover software ranks at the top of the heap in this aspect. Those are the possibilities. They change every single day. More and more sophistication is being seen in the field of internet theft that is connected to spyware. You need to be plugged in to the latest news and information and to stay abreast of the current threats and trends and how to fight them. It is not enough to load an anti virus program and a single spyware removal software and hope that is the end of the problem. The spyware removal softwares on the market are almost as numerous as the spywares themselves. You need to have a clear idea of what you need and install on your machine. Seek qualified advice from a reputable source before diving in. Careless buyers often find that they have played in to the hands of one of the perpetrators by being careless. Buyer be very aware and beware!