Spyware?

Spyware is Internet jargon for Advertising Supported software (Adware). It is a way for shareware authors to make money from a product, other than by selling it to the users. There are several large media companies that offer them to place banner ads in their products in exchange for a portion of the revenue from banner sales. This way, you don't have to pay for the software and the developers are still getting paid. If you find the banners annoying, there is usually an option to remove them,by paying the regular licensing fee.

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.....
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.

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.

If I choose to uninstall this software thru normal means will it leave any "trailings" that
will creat any problems later, and will it's
"server" still be present and active on my computer?

You can uninstall the shareware that the spyware was bundled with, but that does not necessarily mean that you are uninstalling the spyware, because it can be installed as a separate executable or dll.

Also, you can get spyware unknowingly, just by visiting a website that will download it in the background.

The best way to protect yourself is with a firewall, like ZoneAlarm (www.zonelabs.com - free) and a spyware checker. In the past, people had recommended AdAware (www.lavasoftusa.com -also free) but AdAware has not been updated since May of last year. Many folks now recommend Spybot (http://tinyurl.com/3w3t - also free).

Hats off to Anna, good schpiel, anyway in case you didn't get adaware yet here's their link
HTTP://www.lavasoft.de
There are others out there as well and her link probably has a remover too. Just for curiousity, which game loaded it?

If spyware is loaded it would have been in the
"Game Spy" software offered in many games these days. "Game Spy" is a browser that is offered in
games, for many of the in game browsers are poor at best. This install was done at the time of a
"Army Men" RTS install.
I was reading text on another site "All Seeing Eye" when the comparison between it's self and
other sites that included "spy ware". Game Spy
was mentioned as one that included Spy ware.
"All Seeing Eye" stated that it did not.
I just became curious about what spy ware was
for I have seen some negetive comments about it.

I have seen some negetive