Entry

What is spyware and how can I get rid of it?

Mar 25th, 2005 09:15
Will Spencer, Designer Mike, Choo Hoo, http://www.tech-faq.com/free-spyware-removal.shtml

Spyware are programs, cookies, or registry entries that track your 
activity and send that data off to someone who collects this data for 
their own purposes. Usually, those people are marketing companies 
trying to collect information to help them sell better.
Spyware is usually installed quietly, or even secretly, when you 
install shareware applications.
Many people feel that spyware is a violation of their privacy.
Excessive spyware programs can slow down your Internet connection by 
filling the line with their traffic. They can also slow down your 
computer by using up available RAM and CPU cycles.
The best way to remove spyware is to delete Windows and install 
Unix. ;-)
If that's not an option for you, you can also remove spyware with an 
easy-to-use automated spyware removal tool.
Free Spyware Removal Tools
. Spybot Search & Destroy 
. AdAware 
. Spy Sweeper 
Download, install, and execute one of these free spyware removal tools 
and your system will be running better in about 15 minutes.
Spyboy Search & Destroy is free. AdAware has one version which is free 
for non-commercial use and two pay versions. Spy Sweeper is a a 
subscription service, but you can get one database update as a demo..
Many people run multiple free spyware removal tools to increase their 
odds of finding all of the spyware on their systems.
With any of these spyware removal tools, it is important to download 
spyware database updates regularly.
Warning: Before you remove spyware
Note that if you choose to remove spyware or adware, the shareware 
program which you installed may refuse to function. Shareware authors 
are paid to include these spyware and adware packages with their 
software. By running spyware and adware, you can think of yourself as 
supporting the shareware author. Or, you could send them a few bucks 
and keep a clean machine.
Adware Removal
Adware is a close relative of spyware. Adware is software which is 
installed on your computer to show you advertisements. Most tools 
which remove spyware will also remove adware.