spyware:
- steals information about you, your computer and your surfing habits
adware:
- displays unwanted advertisement on your computer, tracks your Web surfing habits and
reports it back to a central advertising server
browser highjackers:
- can reset your default homepage and search results. some may prevent you from chaning
your browser's homepage back to its original default or visiting a particular site
remote access trojans:
- give a hacker complete control over your PC as if he is using your keyboard and computer
browser helper objects:
- can search all pages you view in internet explorer and replace banner advertisements with
targeted advertisements, monitor and report on your actions and change your homepage