by Barry Marcus

Created on: October 19, 2008   Last Updated: April 10, 2009

Spyware is a form of malicious software that is generally downloaded and installed onto your computer without your knowledge or consent. Spyware secretly collects information about you from your computer and your Internet browsing. Information is collected about your browsing habits resulting in related pop-ups, unsolicited marketing material and diversion of your browser to different sites.

It may record your keystrokes as you type your passwords and may even intercept your financial transactions. Some spyware packages have been known to divert advertising revenue to the spyware owner by replacing the user's Adsense code.

Spyware is often packaged together with free or shareware programs. Adware is somewhat less sinister, but nevertheless is uninvited. Adware records your Internet browsing habits and presents targeted advertising to you. Much of this may be in the form of irritating pop-ups. Both Spyware and Adware can slow down your machine dramatically.

Programs that contain spyware include Bonzi Buddy, Kazaa, Morpheus, Sony's Extended Copy Protection and WildTangent. This list is far from exhaustive!

Removing spyware without specialised software is almost impossible. Often spyware programs are paired, and any attempt to remove them results in the instant re-installation of the spyware.

Protecting your computer against spyware is a necessity but be careful. There are many rogue anti-spyware programs available for download from the Web. Instead of removing spyware from your computer these will install a new batch of spyware.

Windows Defender is Microsoft's own anti-spyware offering. It is packaged as part of the Vista operating system and may be downloaded free for users of Windows XP. The program has the ability to monitor programs that are executed, and will also scan the computer for known Spyware.

Spybot Search and Destroy is totally free for non-commercial use and is somewhat more effective than Windows Defender in detecting and removing spyware.

Windows Defender protects in real time mode as well as running regular scans. Spybot has the ability to immunise' your computer against known spyware programs.

Most of the anti-virus programs have recently enhanced their protection to include spyware. Norton 360 is one such offering that does an excellent job at a price.

As a rule, not all anti-spyware packages pick up everything. There are a range of spyware definitions used by the different systems, and it may be a good idea to use a second anti-spyware package from time to time.

There are a number of other precautions that help to protect your computer against spyware. A firewall should prevent unauthorised programs from accessing your computer. Avoid sites that offer cracked' versions of legitimate software, shareware and porn sites. Do a Google search on the program name before downloading. The first few results should indicate if there is spyware involved.

Spyware is malicious software that will at least slow your machine and at worst open up the possibility of fraud against you. Protect your system against spyware to ensure that you maintain a healthy PC.

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