SPYWARE is a general term for Advertising Supported software (sometimes called Adware -- not to be confused with Ad-AWARE, discussed later). Spyware can report your Internet surfing habits back to advertising companies, to send you more pop-ups.  It also makes your computer work VERY slowly! The more spyware and pop-up generators you have on your computer, the slower it will operate.  I've seen people with 14,000 spyware items on their computer that they didn't know were there! There are three easy (and FREE) steps to rid your computer from Spyware.

First, go to START, then CONTROL PANELS, and Add/Remove Programs. You need to remove the programs which cause the pop-ups.  There are over 1900 programs!  Many are clearly spyware and include words such as "Search Assistant" "Webtools" "SomethingToolbar" or "Ad-something" Remove any program which you are 100% sure are spyware. You can check any unknown programs at this site: http://www.spywareguide.com/

Finally, you have to remove the spyware which do NOT show up in the Add/Remove programs list. Start by downloading just one of these programs.  If after scanning your computer you find more than 10 types of spyware on your computer, we recommend downloading at least one more of these programs until you are sure no spyware remains on your PC. If you have more than 100 spyware programs, we recommend restarting your computer and running your spyware programs twice at least until all are removed. Some spyware programs are incredibly difficult if not IMPOSSIBLE to remove in this manner.  At times, it may be necessary to completely remove your hard drive from your computer, and scan it using another "spyware free" computer.  In the worst case, you may have to backup your important files, reformat your PC, and reload the files. :-( Save yourself some frustration, and contact us if you are in this situation.

If you have Windows 2000 or Windows XP, go to Microsoft and download their free Antispyware Program called Microsoft Defender. http://www.download.com/Microsoft-Windows-Defender/3000-8022_4-10502712.html?tag=lst-0-2 If you don't have Windows 2000 or Windows XP, or if you just want another level of added protection, Download Ad-Aware, a Free Program at: http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=lst-0-1 Also, good, but a little more confusing is Spybot. http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10401314.html?tag=lst-0-1