I have decided to offer some information on Internet security because I think it’s important and I believe that most users do not know that their computers are vulnerable to the less than honorable Internet users. There are all kinds of little bugs out there just waiting to infect your computer, bugs that no anti-virus or firewall can protect you from. I have decided to start with Spyware. A particularly nasty little snoop that is most likely living on your computer as you read this.

Spyware is a small script placed on your computer, usually without your knowledge, during software download operations, that tracks your movement on the Internet. It was originally designed to help marketers’ track advertising campaigns and create statistics on what works and what doesn’t work. The problem is that spyware also has the ability to collect and send all the personal information that’s on your computer-including your email address-to unscrupulous members of the cyber community, all without your knowledge. Spyware can also get into your computer via cookies (bits of data, placed on your PC by websites, that can be used to track your behavior and identity online). Even after removing the cookies, the spyware can remain and continue to track your movements on the Internet.

If you have ever downloaded freeware and installed it on your computer, you most likely have spyware hiding on your system and sending information without your knowledge or permission. Software companies that offer their products for free still need to make money. Many have banner ads or popup windows with advertisements in them that you see when you use the software. Advertising companies pay the software manufacturer to place the ads in their product, allowing the software manufacturer to offer their product for free to the consumer. An example of free software that has used spyware is Real Audio, although I understand they are no longer using it as of their 8.0 version.

Be aware that firewall software will not block spyware from entering and sending information about your surfing habits to its creator. I have used Ad-aware for several years now. It’s free and you can download updates for free. However, I have found that in the last six months or so that one spyware remover may not be enough, mostly because those writing the spyware programs are getting trickier. I’m going to put up a list of anti-spyware programs that I have used in the next couple of days, if not sooner. Some are free while others charge a small fee. Most allow you to download the software and try it before buying. Those will usually only show you what spyware was found living on your computer. They will not remove the spyware. You will have to pay for it before that function will work.

A word of caution: while I am fairly sure that the products I have used, and will recommend, are free from bugs and come from reliable sources, you should always use your own best judgment and do your own research before using them. And always backup everything on your computer before using any kind of software that will be removing anything, good or bad, from your computer. I made this mistake once and it cost me two years of writing!