If you are a frequent surfer, then you must have experienced some these strange things like increased pop ups from unknown sites, unfamiliar buttons on the toolbar and entry into irrelevant or other commercial websites while browsing. All these point that your system has installed some particular programs which can be termed as Greyware. Most of the companies that release this software claim it to be legal. It can’t be ignored that it has useful functions but all the while it features unwanted functions too.

This program is not entitled to bring grave disaster to your computer but still it can lead to a lot of trouble and strenuous efforts. The various troublesome functions of this software finds place in a gray area in the legal and illegal aspects in law and it is rightfully called the Grayware. Sometimes it can cause a real threat to the system security and other times it can act as a secure ground for hackers. This program never exhibits uninstall options.

The key difference of this program and a malware is that while the malware is promulgated by a person, the latter is done by a company. The purpose of malware is nothing but creating disastrous effects to the user whereas that of this particular software is to gain business profits. The propagation of malware is very secretive but the latter can be downloaded by anyone publicly.

This program can be downloaded even from normal sites. When some particular programs are installed, this also gets installed with those. Some of the mesmerizing ads that can be found in adult site are examples. Some of this software has tie ups with shareware that transmit information without the user’s knowledge. It is difficult to uninstall these programs once installed. Some others can install strange programs automatically and considerably affect the performance of your computer.

There are several categories of this niggling software such as:

1. Adware that pops up advertisements.
2. Hijacker that can modify or alter browser settings and log files.
3. Toolbar that would present strange icons.
4. Dialers in adult websites.
5. Downloader that installs greyware with updates.
6. Spyware that pose a severe threat to users
7. Hackertool that hacks web system
8. Keylogger that traces keyboard operations

Though this software is less, malicious than its cousins, it hurts the users choice of circumstances. To prevent its high current the government authorities should necessary actions to regulate it by law. Anti-virus companies can also extend more services with this regard.

The software distributors should provide clear explanation of their distributed software and it must have the capacity to uninstall itself. The Security companies can be more alert and may inform the government bodies regarding the threat.

Above all the maximum consciousness must be maintained by the system users. They must clearly understand that browsing malicious sites and downloading unfamiliar programs can be a real threat. The installment agreement should be read carefully before installing a program. Proper and regular virus scan may be conducted to protect the computers from getting sick.