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Unprotected Windows-based computers, particularly those used by children or credulous adults, can rapidly accumulate a great many
spyware components. The consequences of a moderate to severe spyware infection (privacy issues aside) generally include a substantial
loss of system performance (over 50% in extreme cases), and major stability issues (crashes and hangs). Difficulty in connecting to
the Internet also commonly occurs.
As of 2004, spyware infection causes more visits to professional computer repairers than any other single cause. In more than half of
these cases, the user has no awareness of spyware and initially assumes that the system performance, stability, and/or connectivity
issues relate to hardware, Windows installation problems, or a virus. (On the other hand, older versions of Windows itself, as well
as CPU undercooling, can manifest spyware-like symptoms.)
Some spyware products have additional consequences. Stealth dialers attempt to connect directly to a particular telephone number rather
than to the user's own ISP: where connecting to the number in question involves long-distance or overseas charges, this can result in
massive telephone bills which the user has no choice but to pay.
A few spyware vendors, notably 180 Solutions, have created what the New York Times has dubbed "stealware" - spyware applications that
redirect affiliate links to major online merchants such as eBay and Dell, effectively hijacking the commissions that the affiliates
would have expected to earn in the process. [2] (http://www.benedelman.org/spyware/180-affiliates/)
Some other types of spyware (Targetsoft, for example) even go to the extent of modifying system files to make themselves harder to
remove. (Targetsoft modifies the Winsock (Windows Sockets) files. The deletion of the spyware-infested file inetadpt.dll will result
in interrupting normal networking usage.)
Related Topics
Firewalls Basics
Adware, spyware and malware
Spyware and viruses
Virtual private network
How To Choose A Fire Wall Software Program
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