by: Philippa Smith

Spyware is the software that collects information about
your online activities and preferences. The information is
then sent to another computer with the intention of selling
it to online advertisers.

Spyware and adware can enter your computer through e-mail,
downloads or instant messaging. This is a frightening
prospect for anyone, who uses the net frequently or
constantly downloads products and services online. It is
upsetting to think, that someone may be watching your every
move, when you are online.

What is Adware?

Adware is software that displays advertisements like
banners and pop-ups on your computer. It may also track the
preferences of the user without his knowledge. If ad ware
keeps building up, on your computer, you may face a deluge
of pop-ups, banners and search tool bars, making it
difficult for you to work.

Adware infection may change your homepage repeatedly.
Mysterious toolbars may appear on your browser. Your
computer may run at a noticeably slower speed or there may
be other mysterious changes on your computer.

What Are The Signs Of Spyware?

If your computer shows any of the following symptoms,
spyware or some other malicious software may have infected
it:

* Spyware and other malicious software may add additional
toolbars to your browser, which you don't want. Even, if
you delete them, they will appear again, each time you
restart your computer.
* Pop-up advertisements may appear whenever the computer is
turned on, even when you are not online. Some of them may
be for adult or other objectionable sites.
* The computer's settings may change mysteriously. Even if
the user changes the settings back to the earlier settings,
they may revert repeatedly to the new settings. Malicious
software may change your homepage or search page settings.
* Spyware and other malicious software are not designed to
be efficient. The process of watching a user's activities
and displaying advertisements may noticeably slow down, the
functioning of a computer or even makes it crash.

If spy ware or ad ware infects your computer, don't
despair. You can use any of the free or paid spy ware or ad
ware elimination software products, available to detect and
eliminate them.
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About the author:
Philippa Smith runs a home business in los angeles. The
constant attacks on here computer caused her to learn all
about spyware & viruses, and how to deal with them.