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Spyware (aka Adware) is a term for unwanted software that has gotten installed on your computer and either spys (Spyware) on you or serves up unwanted ads (Adware). Some have taken to calling it all 'Badware' which seems apt to me.

How did I get Badware on my machine?

There are two ways. First, you may have installed it as part of some other program. Often, badware piggybacks on to free software installations. For example, free screensavers, free search toolbars, free smiley programs, etc. - there's a reason these are free! Buried deep in the Term of Service (TOS) is an agreement to install 'other' programs with your free program!

1. Don't install FREE software that you find online!! This software often has 'badware' attached to it and you are agreeing to ads, porn, spying, etc, when you click 'Yes' to the TOS agreement! The only exceptions I would make to this are 1. Software referenced on these pages and 2. Software from Microsoft, Google, or Yahoo.

The second way that badware gets on your machine is called a 'drive-by' downloading. This refers to a download done completely without your consent of knowledge. Avoid this by keeping your PC updated (see previous page), using Anti-Virus software (see next page), and regularly scanning your PC for badware (see below)

How do I get rid of the Badware on my machine?

You will need to download and install some Anti-Spyware software. I would recommend Lavasoft's Ad-Aware and Windows Defender. You should use both of these programs.

You should also scan your PC with your Anti-Virus program.

This may be more technical than you want, but this is good advice about removing spyware from your machine from Spyware Warrior. It agrees with what I've said and gives further advice.

2. Don't search for Anti Spyware tools using a search engine! There are FAR more fake anti-spyware tools then there are real ones. They will scan your PC, lie about what they find, and try to sell you a product to remove something that doesn't exist. Stick with the programs mentioned above and on Spyware Warrior.

Next - Anti-Virus and Email Threats

Spyware/Adware/Badware?  Help!