Spyware vs. Cookies — What's the Difference?

Spyware is software with malicious behavior that aims to gather information about a person or organization and send it to another entity in a way that harms the user. For example, by violating their privacy or endangering their device's security.

A small, usually flat and crisp cake made from sweetened dough.

Software that secretly gathers information about a person or organization.

(Slang) A person, usually of a specified kind

Any malicious software that is designed to take partial or full control of a computer's operation without the knowledge of its user.

(Computers) A collection of information, usually including a username and the current date and time, stored on the local computer of a person using the World Wide Web, used chiefly by websites to identify users who have previously registered or visited the site.

(Internet) Programs that surreptitiously monitor and report the actions of a computer user.

Variant of cookie.

Plural of cookie

(dated) cooky