And same is the case with web programs. In a bid to create make web surfing smoother, some companies have created what is termed as ?Spy ware?



Blank space on the web pages, sentences with missing words, words highlighted in yellow and bronze, links that don't lead anywhere... These are all consequences of the Spy ware on the system.

Spyware is computer software that is installed scrumptiously on a computer to intercept or take partial control over the user's interaction with the computer, without the user's informed consent.

How It Is Installed

The Norton Internet Security and Norton Personal Firewall install an Ad Blocking feature on the computer. There is no specific way to identify an ad from a regular image, so the software blocks whatever seemingly looks like an advertisement. It also blocks out certain picture sizes that are commonly used by ads. This problem can be fixed though! The Ad Blocking in Norton Internet Security just needs to be disabled. Apart from Norton, Zone Alarm, Symantec, F-Prot AntiVirus and Webwasher also offers to block out advertisements and popup provided you choose that option.

What It Does

Other spyware programs that interfere web viewing are Gator/GAIN, Hotbar, MySearch, etc. These programs and toolbars fill in forms and keep track of all the user passwords but putting on all that information at risk. These programs run in the background simultaneously and use up system resources. This result in the slowdown of the system causes the browser to crash. They also add icons to the desktop, change browser settings and home page and block.

Through all this they collect user information about applications, Internet access records and visited websites. Based on these information, they squeeze in appropriate pop-up advertisements or unsolicited E-mails. For website owners they spell danger though by changing the affiliate code on any advertising to their code.

The spyware can enter the system through a variety of sources. By sharing music files or photos with other users through sharing sites or by downloading freeware applications one is at risk of getting infected with spyware. It can download with the most inane programs or just by clicking on a wrong menu choice.

Tips To Get Rid Of Spyware

But there are ways to prevent such soft wares from being downloaded without your consent.

From the Internet Toolbar, go to Tools > Internet Options > Advanced. And uncheck all the "Enable Install On Demand...." options.

Click on your start button and select the "settings" options.

Click on it and open the 'Control Panel' and click on 'Add/Remove Programs'.

Find the spyware in the list of programs and highlight it.

Now click 'Change/Remove' and follow the prompts to uninstall it.

The spyware-supported applications will fail to work after being removed. They should also be uninstalled as well.

After all this a spyware utility program should be run to ensure that everything has been removed. Softwares like Spyblaster may help prevent their further download in future. And for services like filling up forms or saving passwords or downloading music, safer alternatives, like Safer- Networking, Spyware Info, Robo form, and Google can be used.

At the end of the whole process, a scandisk and a defrag should be run and the registry cleaned up with the help of EasyCleaner