SPYWARE

Where Adware may be largely an irritation, Spyware present a much more serious threat.

Spyware snoops on your computer activity and may record keystrokes, including passwords and other private information, which are then communicated to others, possibly resulting in criminal activity such as using your credit card details. Spyware installation, too, may originate as part of a freeware product, or by enticing you to click on a web-screen image.