The Great Web counter conspiracy, take two

For those who are not internet savvy, here is the type of information that a web counter shows:

Total	3,497
	Average Per Day	27
	Average Visit Length	1:26
	Last Hour	0
	Today	13
	This Week	190

It also shows me where they come from

I can find it with a list or by map...

Is this spying? I don't know who is logging on, so how can it be spying?

Although I believe there are ways to find the address of the computer logging onto one's site...