yea they are inteligent agents
Intelligent agents are programs that gather information on a set schedule. Typically, agent programs use parameters which have been set, searches all or parts of particular areas. Then it gathers information the user is interested in, which is presented on a periodic basis. Agents are sometimes known as bots.
Agents have also been developed to personalise information on Web sites based on registration information and usage analysis. Other types of agents include specific site watchers that tell you when the site has been updated or look for other events and analyst agents that not only gather but organise and interpret information for you.
Taken from one of my reports for supporting bussiness deciosn that is handing in tomorrow