Adware and Spyware have become familiar terms in the lexicon of Internet jargon. Their definitions range from helpful cookies that many people choose to have on their computer to programs that can steal your identity. That's why any information of these important subjects needs to include definitions of exactly what encompasses both adware and spyware. 

Adware is software that provides advertising, usually in the form of pop ups, and gathers general information, by using cookies, through the user's Internet connection. Adware is often packaged with free downloaded programs. Adware, by itself, is not dangerous, but can fall into the annoying category. Adware can generate constant pop-up advertising when the downloaded program is running. It can also place cookies on your computer that will provide information about you when you click on the pop ups or log on to the original program download site. If users register the downloaded program, usually games, and pay the registration fee, the adware disappears. If you download a free program, there is a reasonable probability it will contain some form of adware. So far, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Many people happily trade payment for enduring a few pop-up advertisements and don't care if their general Internet surfing habits are being tracked. The problem begins when they become intrusive.  

That's when adware becomes spyware. 

When adware is expanded to use your computer's resources to steal information, it becomes spyware. Computer users who are installing a program or swapping files (i.e. music downloads) may also be installing a spyware program whose purpose is to monitor your computer activity and gather your private and confidential information. This includes e-mail addresses, user passwords and certainly any credit card numbers you enter when making a purchase on-line. They can also happily install other spyware programs, hijack your web browser by changing your home page and your browser's search engine. All the time it is sending back information to the bad guys, who will use it for their own advertising purposes, sell it to other bad guys or use it to steal your identity. To do all this, spyware uses your computer's memory resources and bandwidth. This can slow your computer to a crawl, especially if you use memory intensive programs. Spyware is not good. 

Do you have adware and/or spyware on your computer? The chances are outstanding that you do. This may not be a problem, but sometimes it could be disastrous. Some of the signs that your computer may be infected are: 

1.          Your web browser looks a little different. New toolbars suddenly appeared. The search engine you use is different. A brand-new home page suddenly appeared. 

2.          Pop up advertisements that aren't related to the web site you are viewing are appearing with disturbing regularity. You click on links that go to nowhere. Ads for pornographic web sites start popping up on your computer. Your "new" search engine produces web sites unrelated to your query. 

3.          Your Windows desk top takes longer to load than it did in the past. This is because lots of spyware programs have added themselves to the Windows start up procedure and load every time you turn on your computer. 

4.          Your computer is running slower than normal. 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you probably are infected and need to take some action. 

There are hundreds of anti-Spyware programs on the market. Most offer a free on-line inspection of your computer to see if any spyware is present. Since their scans always find something, it's a great way to market their product. However, it's probably a good idea to dig a little deeper before making a buying decision. 

Some anti-virus programs include adware and spyware elements as part of the basic program. Check yours and see if you have a spyware feature and if it is activated. If it is, and you still are experiencing problems, make sure you have downloaded the latest updates. 

Spyware and anti-virus programs develop large data bases or encyclopaedias of known adware and spyware. The computer is scanned against these data bases and the culprits are identified and deleted or placed in a quarantine folder where they can't continue to cause trouble. These databases are constantly updated in order to keep up with the spyware developers. Good anti-Spyware programs should do two things well. They should maintain great databases and provide fast, proactive customer service.