A. Spyware comes in various forms, but basically it is a program or piece of information on your computer that either sends data about you or your computer habits to someone else on the Internet. This can be a company that is collecting data, or a thief seeking to steal access to your computer or data like bank information on it. Spyware can also be a program that places unwanted ads on your computer. Cookies can be considered spyware. They are little piece of information placed in your web browser to track your web habits. This is useful sometimes as a web site can see you have visited it before and let you on without a registration process. Cookies are also used to keep track of your progress through a web store. They are also used to customize website ads to your likes and dislikes.

Malware = Short for malicious software, software designed specifically to damage or disrupt a system, such as a virus or a Trojan horse.

Q.Why is spyware bad?

A. For one it can hog precious system resources like memory and hard disk space. It can also compromise your privacy, providing outsiders with information about your computer habits. If a spyware program installs a keylogger it can capture your keystrokes and send it to a third party. This can potentially expose your user IDs and passwords to thieves Some spyware are trojans which allows someone to log into your computer remotely and use it for their own purposes like sending spam or launching malicious attacks on other computers on the Internet, making it look like you are at fault.

Q. Yeah I know it is bad, I just want to get RID OF IT!!!!! Is there any software available to help me eliminate spyware?

A. We know how you feel. Yes there are lots of good anti-spyware programs out there.
Pest Patrol Box Shot
Click here to see a screen shot of PestPatrol capturing an actual piece of spyware

I like Pest Patrol because we own it and use it daily. And because they issue new spyware detection updates. It can kill off hijacked browser problems, Trojans and lots of other nasty spyware issues.

I also have like Spyware Remover, especially its Quick Scan and deep probing Full System Scan, which I’ve tested and quite like especially because it’s affordable. Click here to download it for free and scan your drive right now .

I also noticed lots of anti-spyware programs available on Amazon.

Q. How does spyware get on my computer?

A. There are several techniques. Sometimes they arrive as an automatic download from a website you are surfing. Typically this happens a lot on porn sites. Sometimes if you download a free or illegal piece of software, they are embedded in the installation process. Or spyware can get on your computer via an email attachment that you shouldn’t have opened.

Q. I have a spyware remover program but it doesn’t remove a particular type of spyware on my computer. What can I do?

A. Just like your anti-virus program, you need to update the signatures in your anti-spyware program so that it will catch new spyware programs that are released. Go into the spyware program and see if it has a method to update these. If it doesn’t consider buying Pest Patrol which does. The company that makes it issues regular updates.

BUT ...Ultimately no one program will solve all your spyware problems. A good strategy is to (sad to say) get two and run them both.

I recommend Spyware Remover and PestPatrol also Spybot Search & Destroy, they each ompliment each other well, but any 3 will do.

Q. My Internet Explorer has been hijacked (ie my borwser web page cannot be changed from a site that I don’t want). What can I do?

A. I recommend that you download the free program called Hijack This and manually remove the spyware that is hijacking your browser.

Q. How can I delete spyware manually?

A. Sometimes a spyware program is very obvious. It adds itself to your menu bar and be found listed in your Add/Remove Programs list in your Windows Control Panel. Click START, (then if you have Win95/98/Me click Settings) then Control Panel then Add/Remove Programs and look for a program that you don’t recognize. Sometimes its obvious....like “XXX dialer” or something like that. Just use the Add/Remove Programs features to remove it. Sometimes its not as evident and you have to go diving into the registry and delete entries and also search for specific files on your hard drive and remove them. There’s a good list of spyware removal techniques here - be sure to click on “research center” then “search for pest info”.

Q. What can I do to stop spyware?

A. There are a few things you can do. Don’t download programs by companies you are not familiar with. Avoid shareware and freeware. Don’t download illegal pirated software. Set your browser security to HIGH. One Internet Explorer, click Tools > Internet Options > then the Security tab and move the slider to MEDIUM or preferably HIGH. The only problem with this is it may block access to some websites you want to see. Ultimately your best bet is to get an anti-spyware program and scan your system regularly.

Q. What about free anti-spyware programs? Any good?

A. Yes, you might consider Spybot, Adaware or Hijack This. All good, all solve problems with varying levels of success and ease of use. However free software usually comes with a hitch. Sometimes it is not updated as frequently as you’d like. Sometimes the maker doesn’t stick around for long (could you buy groceries if you worked for free all the time?) or their support isn’t good or even existent. We are a big advocate for free (this site is free, but we keep it free through ads and donations). If you get utility out of a free program, then what more could you want? But please, if the author asks for a donation, please be sure to volunteer funds...even if its a few dollars or pounds or euros.

Q. Not Sure if you're Computer is Infected?