Spyware

We have covered the essential software to protect your computer and make surfing more enjoyable.

Are there any other things that can make using a computer more enjoyable? Most assuredly there are.

Another type of invasion of a computer that is well known as spyware

Spyware is defined as A technology that assists in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. On the Internet, "spyware is programming that is put in someone's computer to secretly gather information about the user and relay it to advertisers or other interested parties." As such, spyware is cause for public concern about privacy on the Internet.

Spyware, adware, browser hijackers, and diallers are some of the fastest-growing threats on the Internet today. By simply browsing to a web page, you could find your computer to be the brand-new host of one of these unwanted fiends!

How does a user go about protecting their computer from spyware? There are many commercial software company's that offer software to perform this task, but there are some excellent free programs that will do this also. The free software will do very well for most users.

Spyware Blaster will Prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, diallers, and other potentially unwanted pests and restrict the actions of potentially dangerous sites in Internet Explorer. Spyware Blaster is free and can be downloaded at:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html

Ad-aware is designed to provide continuous protection from known Data mining, aggressive advertising, Parasites, Scum ware, Key loggers, selected traditional Trojans, Diallers, Mal ware, Browser hijackers, and tracking components. AD-aware can detect and remove these trouble makers from your computer. It must be kept updated and ran on a regular basis. Ad-aware can be downloaded in two free versions at:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/english/default.shtml

Spybot is designed to do the same things that Ad-aware does, but uses different definitions. It is a good idea to have both and keep them updated and run on a regular basis. Spybot can be downloaded at:
http://download.com.com/3000-8022-10289035.html