The first time the phrase “spyware” was used was in Oct. 1994. At that time, the phrase was used in a post and jokingly referenced Microsoft’s business model.

After that, the term “spyware” generally referred to Spyware later came to allude to equipment used to spy, such as hidden cameras, small recoding devices, etc.

The term was next used publicly in 2002, by the founder of Zone Labs. In a press release announcing a new product rollout, he referenced “spyware,” and since that time the term has been used in the online world to describe software that performs certain behaviors such as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent first.

You should know that spyware is often disguised and can come bundled with shareware or other software, and with music CDs. When this happens and you install the program or music CD, you also unknowingly install the spyware.

Even though the software you purchased or are sharing may not do harm, the spyware hidden within the software will.

Although very unscrupulous, spyware authors have been known to pay shareware creators to wrap-in spyware with their software. Likewise, there have been instances when spyware authors will repackage desirable free software with destructive installers that add spyware to your computer when installing.

Another way of spreading damaging spyware is by tricking users. In doing this, a program will manipulate or control a security feature that is in place to prevent these harmful installations. For instance, web browsers such as Internet Explorer are oftentimes designed with protective measures in place that will actually stop websites from initiating an unwanted download on your computer.

Spyware can also be spread when you click on a link or check a box. We’ve all been lured in by persuasive sales pitches that prompt us to take these actions, but the end result may be a nasty one, with spyware installed on your computer without your consent.

For example, a pop-up window may appear on your screen as your surf the Net. It may seem innocent enough and ask you a simple question, such as “Do you want to improve your computer’s performance?” with links that look like real buttons reading No and Yes. It doesn’t matter which button you select because either will prompt a malicious download to start, which installs spyware on your computer in a flash – and without your knowledge.

Although much more technical, spyware can also infect a computer by taking advantage of security weaknesses in the Web browser or in other applications on the targeted computer so that when you arrives at a Web site controlled by the spyware creator, the site includes code that forces the download and installation of spyware or infiltrates the browser. Unfortunately, you will not know this has happened until your computer starts to slow down, have performance issues or shuts-down altogether.

You should also be very cautious with banner ads. It’s not that long ago that banner ads were wildly popular and a very effective means of advertising. Today, however, many banner ads are spyware in disguise, replacing a site’s own advertisements with advertisements that benefit the spyware author. Obviously, this can seriously affect the revenue stream of advertising funded web sites and cause your computer great harm.

This explains why taking a proactive approach to spyware is the only way to protect your computer, its files and your identity. There are too many ways to disguise spyware and because it can take over your computer without your knowledge, you and all your important information are left vulnerable and open to attack and to theft.