Spyware and Adware programs can be installed on your PC without your knowledge. These programs may be stealing personal information about you and/or slowing down your computer's performance and Internet connection speed.

Identify and Remove Spyware/Adware Programs on your PC

Spyware/Adware Solution 1: Use PestPatrol's free online sypware scanner: Pest Scan.

This program is developed by PestPatrol, a professional provider of anti-spyware software, and it will remove many potentially harmful programs that may have been installed on your PC.

Spyware/Adware Solution 2: Use the Download.com SPYWARE CENTER to choose a removal technique.

This site provides an excellent information source about adware/spyware programs as well as methods for removing them and keeping them off of your PC.

Spyware and Adware Definitions

TechTarget - http://whatis.techtarget.com

Spyware - Spyware is any technology that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. On the Internet (where it is sometimes called a spybot or tracking software), spyware is programming that is put in someone's computer to secretly gather information about the user and relay it to advertisers or other interested parties. Spyware can get in a computer as a software virus or as the result of installing a new program.

Adware - Generically, adware (spelled all lower case) is any software application in which advertising banners are displayed while the program is running. The authors of these applications include additional code that delivers the ads, which can be viewed through pop-up windows or through a bar that appears on a computer screen. The justification for adware is that it helps recover programming development cost and helps to hold down the cost for the user.

SPYCHECKER - http://www.spychecker.com/spyware.html

Spyware - Why is it called "Spyware"? While this may be a great concept, the downside is that the advertising companies also install additional tracking software on your system, which is continuously "calling home", using your Internet connection and reports statistical data to the "mothership". While according to the privacy policies of the companies, there will be no sensitive or identifying data collected from your system and you shall remain anonymous, it still remains the fact, that you have a "live" server sitting on your PC that is sending information about you and your surfing habits to a remote location.....

Adware - Spyware is Internet jargon for Advertising Supported software (Adware). It is a way for shareware authors to make money from a product, other than by selling it to the users. There are several large media companies that offer them to place banner ads in their products in exchange for a portion of the revenue from banner sales. This way, you don't have to pay for the software and the developers are still getting paid. If you find the banners annoying, there is usually an option to remove them, by paying the regular licensing fee.

Download.com - http://www.download.com/1200-2023-5120516.html?tag=txt

Spyware - What is spyware? Spyware programs make money for their publishers by reporting your Internet travels and sending you advertisements. Some also report your name, e-mail address, and other personal information.

Adware - Are adware and spyware different? Different people have different definitions of each. CNET calls any program designed to deliver ads or to get marketing information adware. Spyware is a subset of adware, focused on reporting personal information.

Symantec - http://www.symantec.com

Spyware - Stand-alone programs that can secretly monitor system activity. These may detect passwords or other confidential information and transmit them to another computer. Spyware can be downloaded from Web sites (typically in shareware or freeware), email messages, and instant messengers. A user may unknowingly trigger spyware by accepting an End User License Agreement from a software program linked to the spyware.

Adware - Programs that secretly gather personal information through the Internet and relay it back to another computer, generally for advertising purposes. This is often accomplished by tracking information related to Internet browser usage or habits. Adware can be downloaded from Web sites (typically in shareware or freeware), email messages, and instant messengers. A user may unknowingly trigger adware by accepting an End User License Agreement from a software program linked to the adware.