Adware is a program that displays advertisements on your computer when you don't want them. It is not connected to a particular website or included with free software but is programmed to start up whenever your computer is switched on.

Spyware is a program that relays information about you and your computer information without your permission or knowledge. Some just "spy" on you, watching your Internet habits and notifying marketing companies, while others are "thieves" that access credit card information as well as other sensitive files. In plain terms, it is malicious software that can take control of a computer's operation without user knowledge or consent. Termed as "malware", another form of spyware, these programs can: 

• Steal personal information and your address book.
• Flood your browser with pop-ups.
• Add spam to the system.
• Slow down your programs and connection.
• Hijack your browser and redirect the user to a "con" page.
• Uses your computer as a server to broadcast unwanted information.
• Can cause your computer to crash.

 Spyware can reach a computer through innocent web pages, game demos, MP3 players, search tool bars, and other downloads including free software. It installs itself and leaves a file on the windows registry. It can use most of your computer resources such as memory and hard drive space and cause a crash or lock up. Keystroke logging spyware can steal your passwords and credit card information for thieves.

To protect your files, you can:

• Use good anti adware and spyware programs. Examples are Spybot, Search & destroy, Pest Patrol, and Lavasoft's Adware.
• Keep your Windows and Internet Explorer up to date by applying the latest security patches.
• Maintain the security level of Internet Explorer at medium or higher. Don't ever lower it more than this.
• Use firewalls and web proxies to block access to web sites that are known to carry spyware.
• Install layered protection on your computer.
• Update your antivirus program. An up-to-date program will stop spyware as well as Trojans.
• Install a startup monitor to help protect your system.
• Don't accept "free" as being free - check out free software and downloads, there may be a hidden surprise or catch.
• Never download software from questionable sites. Pirated software is almost always distributed along with adware and spyware.
• Use Spy checker to find out if the download has spyware. This can be accessed from the free computer securities pages.

An anti-spyware coalition has been started by Microsoft, Earthlink, McAfee, and Hewlett-Packard. They are working towards anti-spyware legislation and putting protective systems in place. One survey shows that 87 percent of users know what spyware is, and 40 percent of those have been infected at some point.

Protect yourself and your information; keep your system free of adware and spyware.