I originally posted this at http://www.318.com/TechJournal Spyware is software that covertly gathers user information through the user’s Internet connection without their knowledge, usually for advertising purposes. Adware refers to any software application or program displaying advertising banners or Pop-up. Adware is often considered spyware (although not always) and is typically installed without the user’s knowledge. Malware is a general term that encompases both of these and often viruses and trojan horses, which can cause computers to become slow due to the amount of processing power that these applications can take and the number of them that can infect computers. Malware applications are typically bundled as a hidden component of shareware…