Spyware has been compared to a nosy neighbor snooping around the block to find some gossip, however spyware has yet to gain the courtesy of a nosy neighbor because spyware fails to make itself known or ask for permission. Spyware gets into internet users? computers without their knowledge while they surf the internet, open emails, click on ads and download freeware.

Avoiding it seems impossible at times, but there are tools that can remove current infections and help you avoid further spyware invasions.

A person with spyware on their computer has an individual or company monitoring and recording their every move online, including internet purchases, email messages, chats and more. The information spyware applications gather is done without your knowledge or permission so that companies can target you for advertisement purposes. Some forms of spyware are developed by individuals who enjoy seeing how far they can hack into someone's computer.

Because spyware and hacker's methods are constantly changing and evolving to be more stealth like, there is not one solution.

However, there are several solutions that can greatly reduce the threats of spyware. STOPzilla is a good spyware tool that has a pop up killer, active spyware blocker, active adware blocker, active cookie killer and an active hijack killer. A browser hijack occurs when your browser's settings are changed without your authorization, including the start page, search

engine and your internet information is recorded and relayed to an intruder. STOPzilla can kill browser hijackers and it includes automatic updates to keep up with the changing spyware and hackware methods.