User:Erbingha/Spyware

File-sharing and freeware programs install small programs that either cause pop-up ads to spontaneously appear or collect data about your web surfing habits to forward to marketers. Kazaa and other types of file-sharing and freeware programs install small programs that either cause pop-up ads to spontaneously appear or collect data about your web surfing habits to forward to marketers. Somewhat more annoying is the fact that these spyware products generally are always running, which causes Windows to start up more slowly and run more slowly. There are a couple of free programs that will detect and remove spyware for you, kind of like a virus scanner. Two examples are LAVASOFT's Ad-Aware program and PepiMK's Spybot Search & Destroy. These programs will scan your hard drive for spyware programs and give you the option to delete them. Follow the directions provided on the respective websites.