Spyware is a malicious program that covertly gathers information through an Internet connection on a computer system without the owners knowledge. Spyware applications are typically bundled as hidden components of Freeware or Shareware programs that are downloaded from the Internet. Once installed, these spyware programs monitor your computer activity on the Internet and transmit that information without your knowledge to someone else.

There are some spyware programs that can track all your online purchases (credit cards). If you use your credit card to purchase a product online you are at risk of a spyware program gaining control of this number and using it for other purchases that you may not be aware of until it’s to late. Then you are left trying to figure out what went wrong. By the time you find out, it has cost you a lot of time and money. This Spyware has left you nothing but a big mess to clean-up. This can take from a few hours to a few weeks or even months.