What is spyware?
Spyware is a software installed in your PC without your knowledge to stealthily get your personal information for the purpose of advertising etc. The spyware can search personal information about you like email addresses, the sities visited or even the passwords and credit card numbers. The spyware attacker can be an ordinary advertising company or a hardcore criminal. Fortunately most of the spywares that are distributed are adware, means they pop into your PC via internet to display some advertisements. How are spywares installed?
Spyware is often installed without your consent. The spyware distributors use many deceptive methods to get the spyware installed in computers via internet.One way is to metamorphose the spyware into a utility software or as such and you install this utility software without knowing it is a spyware. Another way of presenting spyware through internet is to include it in the downloadable software, unlicensed software, video or audio software etc. When the software gets installed, the spyware is also installed, again without the knowledge of the user.The next technique the spyware attackers use is the trickiest of all. They attack the security features provided in the standard browser like Internet Explorer and the user becomes hapless once the spyware gets entry into the PC. The spyware windows that appear on the screen deceive the user as they resemble the web browser - and the user installs it.In what ways, spyware can affect your PC?
Spyware distribution remains a persisting problem. Spyware can be extremely harmful to the computer, as it slows down the system speed using its hardware resources. It covertly uses the user's broadband connection and eats up a lot of bandwidth if unnoticed. They also affect the broadband connection speed which is very noticeable. Even the user may experience difficulties in establishing internet connection while the system is infected by spyware. How to tackle the problem of spyware?
There are many popular anti-spyware programs available that can remove or block the spyware. If the spyware has caused irreparable damage to the computer's performance, you have to just reinstall the system software.

Finally a word of caution: Refine your internet usage methods. If you feel dubious about any software or any sites, you'd better avoid them.