If you've encountered problems that under normal circumstances aren't experienced such as extremely slow internet speeds (e.g. internet packet sending/receiving even without any internet activity), slow CPU speeds (e.g. processes taking up too much memory and/or system resources), or even some applications disabled and limited administrator privileges, then you might be a victim of spyware.

Internet HiJacks can also happen as a result of spyware, a case where instead of going to a specific URL or website, the page is redirected to a harmful one instead. The homepage is also changed into a spyware-infested page. This can track keystrokes and internet behavior, steal information, and worst, record financial account information and access them. Moreover, these malfunctions are usually caused by not just one type of spyware, but a large number that are co-installed by other spyware.

Catching spyware usually happens even without you knowing it. Some of the ways include clicking an infested website, installing shareware bundled with spyware, downloading supposedly "helpful" software offers such as "Download Accelerators", Unverified Desktop Themes, and other miscellaneous free software or "freeware".

Some spyware can make its way into your computer through disguising itself as an interesting website advertisement through pop-ups, banners, and etc. Once clicked, it will redirect you to a harmful website that most probably contains more dangerous spyware. The spyware then intrudes your computer, trying to install malicious codes that causes malfunctions.

Another way of of catching spyware is through installing shareware applications/software bundled with spyware. These are downloaded shareware programs that when installed, also installs miscellaneous software other than the desired program. The "bundled" or optional (even though force installed) software with the original program is the spyware. After installation, your system is now coupled with spyware.

Other instances of catching spyware is when a user performs a download of a seemingly helpful application, installing it, only resulting to spyware infestation. Examples of programs are "Download Accelerators", Desktop Themes such as cursors, screen savers, and etc., and other kinds of miscellaneous softwares. Most often, spyware can be a result of installing unverified or doubtful softwares, as they may contain harmful codes that becomes activated once installed.

There is a combination of deceitful web-based advertisements and spyware installing software. A notable variation of deceitful web-based spyware is called "rogue" anti-spyware, a program that claims that your computer is infected whilst false, and offers to remove spyware, but only installing more. Most often, these come from advertisements, or pop-up windows and webpages from questionable sites disguised as anti-spyware.

Severe computer and network (e.g. internet) malfunctions may indicate that the spyware infection is most probably in large amounts. This is so as, usually, computers with spyware problems have lots of kinds of spyware installed because they replicate by installing other kinds of spyware as much as they can.

Most of the victims of spyware are innocent web-surfers. But sometimes, you can’t be too careful. Even when taking great caution in surfing the web to safeguard yourself from spyware, you might still catch yourself getting infected by spyware. In the end, computer malfunctions, and other problems are encountered. What happens next?