Spyware

Spyware is software that is put on a user’s system that is used for the purpose of monitoring that person’s computer usage. Generally this software is used by Internet marketing companies to try and see what types of sites are looked at so they can tailor sites to better fit their customers. The program usually runs in the background and isn't noticed by the user. These programs can be used to take user’s personal information without their permission.⁹ Much to the irritation of the online community, spyware can also change the homepage that a computer starts with and because of the way the code is written, it often leaves a doorway open for other spyware to slip into the system.¹⁰