Spyware is a type of software that secretly forwards information
about a computer user's online activities to another individual or
company without the user's knowledge or permission. It is
proliferating on the internet in many guises.
The hope is that the description will provide a common guide on
evaluating this type of software, leading eventually to better
anti-spyware applications.
The ASC, which includes Microsoft, Yahoo! and AOL among its
members, released an earlier draft of the description for public
comment in October. These comments have been taken on board and are
reflected in the final version.
