Spyware is a form of malicious technology that helps gather information about an individual or organization without their knowledge or consent. It is mainly used to track and store users' movements on the Internet by initiating pop-ups and advertisements for the benefit of third parties. Spyware also changes an individual's computer settings configurations to the point that it can take control of the computer. Your computer may then have slower Internet connection speeds and not have access to other computer commands. Spyware is usually installed by tricking the user into hiding it in a software package they want to download. Internet Explorer's popularity coupled with its poor security measures make it a frequent target of spyware. Unlike self-replicating worms and viruses, spyware is designed primarily for commercial purposes. The spyware copies important banking passwords and credit card information and sends them back to third parties. In the United States, security measures have been taken to counter the threat of spyware called Policeware. (Reimer) According to the "Paretologic" website there has been a "71% increase in spyware from 2008 to 2009" and approximately "15% of spyware sends potentially sensitive information entered by users that is collected via keyloggers." Simply clicking on the wrong links can download spyware onto a computer. You need to be extremely careful and distinguish good websites from bad ones. The spyware problem is only getting worse, and there is no sign of slowing down. In most cases the signs of spyware are not even noticeable and allow the spyware to alter the hardware mechanisms of your computer, possibly slowing down its performance. Folks... middle of paper... 2000 and fight the adware. (LavaSoft) Another case of spyware occurred in the seemingly harmless game Elf Bowling. The game became very popular during the 1999 holiday season, but people soon noticed that the program reported user information to developers Nsoft. The developers denied the accusations but this gave many Internet users their first experience with spyware. Thanks to Steve Gibson many computer owners have been able to fend off any opposition from any spyware threat. Spyware has obviously been in the cyber world for quite some time now. No matter how much anti-software is available, spyware will still manage to steal valuable information from honest workers. No matter what you do on your computer, you should always have protection against external programs and know exactly what is being downloaded to your computers.