With the number of internet users around the world growing at a massive rate, it opened a new avenue for businesses in a changing world. One thing is for certain, the way the world does business is changing rapidly and the internet is largely responsible for that. One of the biggest changes is in advertising and marketing. Any internet user knows that you don't have to look too far to be bombarded by advertising. The question is whether this has gone too far? With all sorts of adware and spyware focusing on advertising related "activities" even the big guys are getting in on the action.



Five years ago computer viruses, adware and spyware was mostly something we associated with hackers locked away in some dark basement. While spyware and hackers trying to gain access to your personal information is still a big threat, the problem escalated on a whole new scale on the other side of the economic spectrum.

Adware and spyware are very generally defined as any piece of software that tries to gain unauthorized access to personal data on your computer. Whether it's mining sensitive information like bank account details or whether it is trying to steal your identity, spyware remains very dangerous. With adware the main purpose is to "advertise" to you by using your computer screen as a billboard.

With antivirus and anti spyware software getting more sophisticated, developers had to smarten up. One way in which they are succeeding is by getting you to agree on them installing ad servers on your computer. But how do they do that?

The most popular strategy is with so-called free software and games. When you install their software you are under the impression that you are installing the software and since no one really reads licence agreements, their adware gets placed on your computer legally.

An even greater concern is with the big companies like Google, Yahoo and Microsoft. There's been many discussions on how legal the placement of cookies on your computer really is. In reality it's nothing but a form of spyware. By harvesting your personal details, preferences and other demographic information they can advertise to you in a much more sophisticated way.

Advertisers don't want to pay for general advertising anymore. They want to know that their message will meet the right eyes. This is why big advertising networks like Google need to gather personal information to sell more targeted advertising. Although it's all perfectly legal it sure does push the boundaries and is bound to become even more intense and smarter as the deployment of adware software gets scrutinized even more.

The fact remains that adware and spyware aren't always dangerous in the sense that it poses a direct risk to your personal safety and security, but the fact that it invades your privacy is enough to cause great concern. It's important to be careful online - especially with software, games and downloads. Even when it's from "respectable" sites. Make sure you read the terms and conditions and make sure you know what you are letting yourself in for.