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Spyware is a broad category of malicious software intended to intercept or take partial control of a computer’s operation without the user’s informed consent . While the term taken literally suggests software that surreptitiously monitors the user, it has come to refer more broadly to software that subverts the computer’s operation for the benefit of a third party.

Spyware differs from viruses and worms in that it does not usually self-replicate. Like many recent viruses, spyware is designed to exploit infected computers for commercial gain. Typical tactics furthering this goal include delivery of unsolicited pop-up advertisements ; theft of personal information (including financial information such as credit card numbers ); monitoring of Web-browsing activity for marketing purposes; or routing of HTTP requests to advertising sites.

Microsoft Windows Defender
It’s hard to believe for some, but Microsoft currently has one of, if not the best free anti-spyware products.

This program is packed with features and extras. Obviously you have the scanner which can be run at any time with a touch of a button. However, the real power of the program is in the Real-time Protection. This helps stop that spyware before it can even get started. In the Advanced Tools section of the program, you can Explore your system settings. The most useful area in there is probably Startup Programs, where you can get a list of programs that run when your system boots and the ability to disable the ones that are just bloat. There is a Privacy function with a Tracks Eraser. This handy function will delete cookies, cached sites, along with the settings and temporary files from various programs you have installed with a single click.

SpywareGuard - For real-time spyware protection, similar to how anti-virus programs work, consider this little free program.

SPYBOT Search & Destroy - One of the most popular anti-spyware programs on the net. Spybot - Search & Destroy can detect and remove a multitude of adware files and modules from your computer. Spybot also can clean program and Web-usage tracks from your system, which is especially useful if you share your computer. Modules chosen for removal can be sent directly to the included file shredder, ensuring complete elimination from your system. For advanced users, it allows you to fix Registry inconsistencies related to adware and to malicious program installations. The handy online-update feature ensures that Spybot always has the most current and complete listings of adware, dialers, and other uninvited system residents. This free program is great and highly recommended.

Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition - Ad-Aware is designed to provide advanced protection from known Data-mining, aggressive advertising, Parasites, Scumware, selected traditional Trojans, Dialers, Malware, Browser hijackers, and tracking components. With Lavasoft’s all new Code Sequence Identification (CSI) technology, you will not only be protected from known content, but will also have advanced protection against many of their unknown variants. Another highly recommended program.

NOTES
It’s not uncommon for one program to catch a piece of spyware that another program has missed, so it’s a good idea to have at least two of these programs on your system and run them both at least once a week.

Remember to always check for updates before running scans so the program has the latest list of threats to scan for.

Beware of programs that claim to be free. There are plenty out there that will let you run a scan, detect all sorts of stuff and then try to get you to buy the program before it will remove the junk. None of the programs listed on this page will waste your time like that.