SPYWARE Specialized software used to covertly monitor a target's computer activities. One form is used to track the sites visited by Internet shoppers so that on-line advertisements can be tailored to their surfing habits. The other form is analogous to a wiretap, except that the target device is a computer. The software captures the activities of the user, including passwords and keystrokes typed, email, chat conversations, instant messenger, all the Web sites visited, and screenshots of the display screen.