Windows 7 Made Simple

Protecting Against Spyware

OK, scary stuff first. In its most malicious form, spyware (sometimes called adware) can record the websites you visit and your keystrokes—such as what you type in your login name and password boxes—and send that information to thieves or criminals on the Internet. For example, when you log on to your online banking account, spyware can record your username and password and send that information to somebody else on the Internet. A thief can then log on to your banking account and wreak havoc.

CAUTION: There's another tactic for getting your online bank account information via a faked website called phishing. You can find out more about phishing and how to avoid it later in this chapter; see “Surfing the Internet and ...