Hittrafficer.com

Spyware is more than just annoying - it can cause other programs to not work properly and can cause your computer to become quite unstable. Not to mention the privacy issues it brings up.

Spyware is often installed without your knowledge or consent and in many cases can’t be removed from your computer without specialized software tools. When the people that distribute it need to resort to tricking you into installing it, there’s obviously very little there to warrant your trust.

The best defense against spyware is common sense. Always be watchful when you download software from the internet. Don’t install software from unknown websites that you don’t know if you can trust and be sure you always read through the license agreement. Sometimes the license will disclose that spyware is installed along with the program (although usually not in so many words) but they’re counting on the fact that hardly anyone ever reads the license anyway.

Before downloading any new software, look for guarantees that it’s spyware free. Even so, be on your guard - the file-sharing program Kazaa has been claiming to be spyware-free for years. Anyone who installs this software soon has an opportunity to test this claim.

How will you know if you’ve been infected by spyware? Some of the most common problems include unusual pop-up ads, a change to your homepage, new toolbars showing up in your browser and your computer acting strangely, such as freezing up or rebooting out of the blue.

If you find your system bogged down with spyware, don’t give up hope. There are several utilities specifically designed for removing spyware from your computer. They rely on frequently updated databases which contain signature files of all known spyware and adware. They scan all the files on your hard drive and alert you if ‘uninvited guests’ are found.

Many are free, though sometimes the paid versions have more automation features such as removing spyware on receipt rather than requiring a manual scan. None will find every piece of spyware on your system, since they rely on a database which has to be populated according to someone’s judgment. And, one man’s spyware is sometimes another’s welcomed advertiser.

Some kinds of spyware are notoriously difficult to get rid of. They may make changes to your Windows files that help them hide from the scanners. On occasion, you may need to delete them manually to be sure they’re gone.

This is obviously not something you should undertake unless you’re quite familiar with Windows and working with system files. You wouldn’t want to delete something that renders Windows inoperable.

Once your system is spyware free - help keep it that way. Some of the spyware removal tools include utilities that can protect your computer from being exposed to spyware. Much like virus scanners, they monitor changes to your system files and alert you of any suspicious activity.

And of course, always be aware of the risks before you accept any free offers for software on the internet. You never know what the real cost is for that free program.