ABSTRACT
Spyware is regarded as the largest threat to Internet users
since spam, yet most users do not even know spyware is on
their personal computers (PCs). Spyware (a.k.a. adware,
foistware, malware, pestware, scumware, sneakware,
snoopware, and trespassware) includes “[a]ny software
that covertly gathers user information through the user’s
Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually
for advertising purposes.”[1] The definition is so broad that
it may cover software that is beneficial and benign or soft-
ware that has poorly written, inefficient code.[2] The Center
for Democracy and Technology, a policy research group,
has proposed that software that hijacks Web traffic, tracks
Internet users without their knowledge and consent, and is
not easily removable should be considered spyware.
