Spyware and Bots

What I know about Spyware and Bots:

• Spyware is a type of virus
• Bots usually refer to robots.
• There are different types of spyware
• Spyware is hard to detect on your computer.
• You must allow spyware to get into your computer through a file or link (unconsciously, of course).
• Unwanted Software

My Questions:

• What types of spyware exist?
• What do bots do to your computer?
• How could you program spyware? Is it hard?
• What programming language is Spyware written in?

Links:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OOUu_SFl_o
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz8t05og7Vw

Learned:

• Spyware can slow your computer and display pop-ups
• Eliminating Spyware can be a real pain
• Most Spyware infections come from installing free software downloaded from the Internet
• Mac has less probabilities of getting infected by Spyware
• Bots allow people to deliver information to your computer, especially malware and spyware.
• Viruses are simply "meanware". They are only meant to damage your data and computer.
• Selling data on the black market was a 67 billion dollar business (2008)
• Bots propagate enormous amounts of 'wares'.
• Ordinary Virus Protectors (Anti-Viruses) do NOT protect you against malware and spyware.
• Data is worth a lot of money.

How does it connect:

Now I know the difference between all the types of computer infections. I can now be more careful and be completely sure that my anti-virus program includes spyware and bots. I'll have to be more careful when choosing my next anti-virus program! Since I now know the difference between all these "sicknesses" I can now differentiate the "symptoms" of each and know what to do in each situation. 

Questions I still have:

• What programming language do bots and spyware use?
• How do you program a bot or spyware? Is it hard?