There are lot of PC users who know only little about “Spyware”, “Malware”, “hijackers”, “Dialers” & many more. This article will help you avoid pop-ups, spammers and all those baddies.

What is Spyware?

Spyware is computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user’s interaction with the computer, without the user’s informed consent. The term spyware suggests software that secretly monitors the user’s behavior. Spyware programs can collect various types of personal information, such as Internet surfing habit, sites that have been visited etc.

How to check if a program has spyware?

It is this little site that keeps a database of programs that are known to install spyware.

Check Out: SpywareGuide

How To Block Pop-Ups?

If you would like to block pop-ups (IE Pop-ups) there are tons of different tools out there, but these are the two best, I think.

Try: Google Toolbar - This tool is a Freeware.

Try: AdMuncher - This tool is a Shareware.

How To Remove Spywares?

If you want to remove spwares then you may try the following tools/programs

Try: Lavasoft Ad-Aware - This tool is a freeware.

Info: Ad-aware is a multi spyware removal utility, that scans your memory, registry and hard drives for known spyware components and lets you remove them. The included backup-manager lets you reinstall a backup, offers and multi language support.

Try: Spybot-S&D - This tool is a freeware.

Info: Detects and removes spyware of different kinds (dialers, loggers, trojans, user tracks) from your computer. Blocks ActiveX downloads, tracking cookies and other threats. Over 10,000 detection files and entries. Provides detailed information about found problems.

Try: Spy Sweeper - This tool is a shareware.

Info: Detects and removes spyware of different kinds (dialers, loggers, trojans, user tracks) from your computer. The best scanner out there, and updated all the time.

Try: BPS Spyware and Adware Remover - This tool is a shareware.

Info: Adware, spyware, trackware and big brotherware removal utility with multi-language support. It scans your memory, registry and drives for known spyware and lets you remove them. Displays a list and lets you select the items you’d like to remove.

How To Prevent Spyware?

To prevent spyware attack you can try the following tools.

Try: SpywareBlaster - This tool is a freeware.

Info: SpywareBlaster doesn’t scan and clean for so-called spyware, but prevents it from being installed in the first place. It achieves this by disabling the CLSIDs of popular spyware ActiveX controls, and also prevents the installation of any of them via a webpage.

Try: XP-AntiSpy - This tool is a freeware.

Info: XP-AntiSpy is a small utility to quickly disable some built-in update and authentication features in WindowsXP that may rise security or privacy concerns in some people.