spyware
sypware

    (Or "adware") Any type of software that transmits
   information without the user's knowledge.

   Information is sent via the Internet to a server somewhere,
   normally as a hidden side effect of using a program.
   Gathering this information may benefit the user indirectly,
   e.g. by helping to improve the software he is using.  It may
   be collected for advertising purposes or, worst of all, to
   steal security information such as passwords to online
   accounts or credit card details.

   Spyware may be installed along with other software or as the
   result of a virus infection.  There are many tools available
   to locate and remove various forms of spyware from a computer.

   Some HTTP cookies could be considered as spyware as their
   use is generally not made explicit to users.  It is however
   possible to disallow them, either totally or individually, and
   some are actually useful, e.g. recording the fact that a user
   has logged in.

   <http://spychecker.com/spyware.html>.

   (2004-05-23)