Spyware has become a huge problem for all computer owners throughout the world today. When choosing the right spyware registry cleaner, it is important to know what the computer's registry is and just what effect spyware has on a computer. In this article, we will attempt to set you straight on how to keep your computer free of spyware and how to prevent computer errors and shutdowns by keeping your registry in top condition.

Though the term spyware registry cleaner is used often when speaking of programs used to keep computers running up to speed, it is important to note that a spyware cleaner and a registry cleaner are separate programs. Also, the proper order is to use a spyware cleaner to get rid of any spyware that may have infected the computer, then use a registry cleaner to pick up the pieces left behind in the registry by the spyware which had been running rampant on the computer.

What does spyware do?

The lowest of all life forms in the animal kingdom has to be spyware program writers. Spyware, as the name implies, is designed to spy on innocent people who are doing nothing more than surfing the net with their computers at home. Spyware is designed to find out the habits of people.

Some spyware is relatively harmless, only taking note of the types of websites people visit. Other forms of spyware are absolutely heinous. These programs actually have the ability to take a snapshot of the screen on a person's computer. This is a very disconcerting fact for those of us who do online banking.

Spyware is a program. Like any program, after it is removed from the computer, it leaves the computer's registry files in an altered state. This altered state can affect one's computer to varying degrees. It can make the computer run somewhat more slowly, or in some instances, it can render the computer inoperable. This is enough motivation to keep a computer spyware free. Preventing criminals from spying on us, of course, would be another.

What is meant by registry?

A computer's registry files are the Windows files that made up the operating system. It is that simple. Your operating system is nonexistent without a registry. A registry is constructed, like any Windows file structure, as a tree. This means there are a few big folders with many folders and files branching out from them.

In Windows, there are five big registry folders and within each of these individual folders, thousands of smaller folders and files are contained. The next layer of software programs that runs through a computer's registry are the drivers. Driver software operates through the registry. Therefore, in order for drivers to function properly, the registry must also be functioning properly.

Can a computer be protected against these things?

The good news is spyware can be removed from a computer and registry files can be repaired. However, it is important to know two different operations perform these functions. So, when choosing a spyware registry cleaner, remember that you will be using one software that removes and protects computers from spyware and another kind of software that repairs corrupted registries.

Also remember, spyware is removed first, then the registry is repaired because if it happens the other way around, spyware would then be leaving its remnants in the registry which would mean the registry would have to be repaired again.

On today's market there are programs that are spyware removing programs and registry repair programs in one package. Just remember, when shopping for the right type of spyware removal and registry repair programs, you have to get two separate programs or one program that performs both functions. Using just a spyware remover or just a registry repair program is insufficient.