Anti-spyware
Software to detect, block and remove spyware
Anti-spyware software is designed to detect, and in most cases block or remove, malicious spyware (and in many cases adware) on computer systems.
When the problem of spyware first began to impact computer users, many makers of anti-virus software did not include coverage for such items in their products - generally due to the complex legality involved (with many items using social engineering and complex EULAs to trick users into installing their wares, it could be argued that the software was in place with the permission of the user). Thus many specialised products began to be developed to target the menace of spyware, with many simply scanning machines for the presence of known items and removing them, while more sophisticated products used active monitoring to block the installation and activities of spyware.
Over time many products have merged to provide virus and spyware protection in a unified fashion, although spyware-specific products are still available.
