Spyware is a general term used to describe software that performs certain behaviours such as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent first.

These programs can change your Web browser's home page or search page, or add additional components to your browser you don't need or want. These programs also make it very difficult for you to change your settings back to the way you originally had them.

They may also display rogue security alerts from rogue Anti Spyware and Virus software, click here for more information and example of rogue security software.
 

If your computer starts to behave strangely or displays any of the symptoms listed below, you may have Spyware or other unwanted software installed on your computer.

• You see fake security alerts from fake Anti-Spyware.
• You see pop-up advertisements all the time when surfing the web
• Your Settings have changed and you cannot change them back again
• Your web browser keeps on re-directing you to other sites
• Your PC seems to act differently
• Your PC takes longer to boot than normal
• You cannot log in to your Facebook, Webmail or similar sites
• Your internet connection stops connecting and becomes dormant and unusable
• Your PC has new toolbars installed in your browser that you did not install