Spyware FAQ
Why is it called "Spyware"?
While this may be a great concept, the downside is that the advertising
companies also install additional tracking software on your system,
which is continuously "calling home", using your Internet connection
and reports statistical data to the "mothership". While according to
the privacy policies of the companies, there will be no sensitive or
identifying data collected from your system and you shall remain
anonymous, it still remains the fact, that you have a "live" server
sitting on your PC that is sending information about you and your
surfing habits to a remote location..... [top]
Are all Adware products "Spyware"?
No, but the majority are. There are also products that do display
advertising but do not install any tracking mechanism on your system.
These products are not indexed in our database. [top]
Is Spyware illegal?
Even though the name may indicate so, Spyware is not an illegal type of
software in any way. However there are certain issues that a privacy
oriented user may object to and therefore prefer not to use the
product. This usually involves the tracking and sending of data and
statistics via a server installed on the user's PC and the use of your
Internet connection in the background. [top]
What's the hype about?
While legitimate adware companies will disclose the nature of data that
is collected and transmitted in their privacy statement (linked from
our database), there is almost no way for the user to actually control
what data is being sent. The fact is that the technology is in theory
capable of sending much more than just banner statistics - and this is
why many people feel uncomfortable with the idea. [top]
On the other hand...
Millions of people are using advertising supported "spyware" products
and could not care less about the privacy hype..., in fact some
"Spyware" programs are among the most popular downloads on the
Internet. [top]
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