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Spyware is an annoyance that intrudes on your computer by inundating you with popup ads or redirecting your browser's surfing. Some spyware programs allow hackers to track where you go, what you do, and what passwords you use to do it.

There are many things you can do to help safeguard your computer against spyware:

1. Change your browser.
The Mozilla Firefox browser (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/ firefox/) is gaining on Microsoft Internet Explorer's market dominance, and one of the reasons is security. Microsoft is notorious for rushing out software, full of bugs and holes, and hackers seize on it immediately to exploit it. Firefox is more secure, and has better controls for blocking malicious code on pages. It also easily allows you to block advertisements that may be executing code.

2. Update your anti- virus/spyware and firewall programs regularly.
Whether you're using a free program or something you pay for, your software can't provide you with maximum protection if you don't update it. Review your software and make sure the "download updates automatically" option is on.

3. Use common sense.
Stick to websites that you're familiar with. Don't engage in file sharing. Don't open unsolicited email from people you don't know. If you receive something from a friend, that friend may be infected and not know it. Malicious code can hide in videos, downloads, and animated icons.

4. Bells and whistles are nice, but ...
This goes along with item #3. Spyware often hides in "enhancements" for your computer: screensavers and toolbars are some of the biggest offenders. Some (such as Google's toolbar) will tell you that they're going to track your usage, and give you the ability to opt-out, but most programs are not that kind.

If you suspect that you may be infected, here are some FREE software tools and tips that can help:

1. Spybot Search & Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.o rg/en/home/index.html)
Spybot will scan through its database of known spyware and notify you of what's on your machine. You can check off any item that you'd like to remove, and Spybot will automatically remove it for you.

Spybot also has a feature called TeaTimer, which will allow Spybot to run in the background of your computer, alerting you of certain changes as they are attempted. For example, if you launch a website and it tries to reset your homepage, Spybot's TeaTimer will notify you that the request has been made and ask if you want to allow it.

2. a-squared (http://www.emsisoft.com/en/so ftware/free/)
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