Spyware & Adware are files that are installed on your computer without your knowledge; they are installed on your computer when you download software from the internet, CD, or floppy. 

They can track your surfing habits, abuse your internet connection by sending this data to a third party, profile your shopping preferences, hijack your browser start page or pages, allow companies to inundate you with those annoying "pop up" ads, alter important system files, and can do this without your knowledge or permission.

Microsoft Windows Defender (Beta 2) is a free program that helps you stay productive by protecting your computer against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software.

Spybot and Ad-Aware are also helpful applications that provide the means to keep your computer or network free of these compromising and intrusive threats to your privacy.