LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Spyware: Software
built 134 days ago
Spyware and adware are two of the hottest topics in computing. It is claimed that nearly two thirds of all PCs are infected with spyware; and Microsoft recently bought Giant in order to launch its own spyware and adware removal software.
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Spyware... known as "malware", "scumware", and less-complimentary names, is most commonly software that monitors your computing activities and reports those activities back to a central server. Many spyware programs track your web-browsing activities for advertising purposes. For example, if you're looking at a lot of web pages from car companies, the spyware might feed you a pop-up ad from an auto dealer.
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In keeping with emergent industry standards, the word "Spyware" refers to potentially unwanted software that is non-viral in nature. Spyware includes the following behavior that is illegal under existing law - Section 5 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45 - as an unfair or deceptive act or practice.
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