Each of these types of software (“ware” for short) have varying degrees of damage done to your computer. Let us analyse each but focus most specifically on malware software.

Adware software

This is the lightest of them all, and usually the most legit, too. Adware is software that shareware or freeware developers (who give away their software for free) can remunerate themselves for the software they give away for free. Basically, they sell advertising to other companies, and when you install their software you are sent adverts through popups or banners or various other ways. The developers can give you the program for free, in other words, but you are inconvenienced because you have to always close advertisements etc.

But if you knew that from the outset you might have decided that you can live with this. Usually, as well, the developers may offer you a ‘licensed’ version of their software that has no advertising – but you must pay for the licensed version. So this is how they ensure they make revenue either way.

Illegit adware does the same, in terms of advertising, but you never installed the program or installed another program and were not made away that it had adware built in. This kind of adware is usually difficult to remove and can be a real pain. It also can do other things, like redirect your home page etc.

Spyware software

Spyware may do all of the above, or it may not, but it includes a tracking ability that records information about you, the user of the computer, and sends the information to its developer.

This is, in effect, stealing. Some spyware may even measure keystrokes (your typing) and then send the results of this measurement to the developer. What this means is that it records your passwords, bank account details, and even credit card details and sends this information back to the developer. As you can see, serious spyware is very serious.

Malware software

Malware is the granddaddy of them all, the one that is really out to hurt you. Malware may do all of the above, but also hijack your browser or your computer for its own means; prevent you from visiting any website you want to visit; prevent you from downloading malware software cleaners; prevent you from downloading ANYTHING except what it wants you to download; take over your computer, eventually, and even your hard drive space; allow easy access for hackers.

So you need to get rid of it

Even the most ‘harmless’ adware or spyware must be deleted from your computer with a malware software cleaner or malware scanner. If you didn’t ask for it, why keep it? The fact is that malware can also update itself if you leave it to do its own thing, until its a monster on your computer that will not go away unless you completely reinstall (and some malware, report some victims, will not even go away after that).

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What is spyware? Well, spyware is often used as a generic term to refer to any form of software which has installed itself on your computer and is doing things without your consent.

Strictly speaking, however, there is spyware, malware and adware. These can sometimes look the same, but their purposes are different. For instant, malware’s purpose is, as the name implies, pure maliciousness. Its intention is to bug up your computer or actually use your computer for someone else’s game.

For example, malware might allow for your computer to become an easy target for hackers. More than this, it may even use your computer as a file sharing point. This means that hackers could store files on your computer, copy them, and share them without your permission. There goes your hard drive. More than that, they have access to all of your information and can do what they want.

Malware is really the kind of virus or hacker software we see on TV and is by no means science fiction. People can really use malware to do all sorts of things and it is the worse form of spyware.

Adware basically refers to software that bombards you with adverts. If you are reading this right now and being bombarded with pop ups, banner adverts, and all kinds of adverts from everywhere and anywhere on your screen, you probably have adware. Sometimes adware might try and see what your browsing history is and present adverts it thinks will be applicable. More often than not, adware is just a nuisance and a waste of time. And no matter how many times you close the adverts, they just keep coming back, and back, and back.

Spyware, although generally used as a broad term, actually refers to software that “spies” on you. Basically, it collects information about you and sends the information to its creator. It all depends what the spyware has been programmed to gather, and how it has managed to infiltrate your computer. Its creator may only be interested in your browsing and purchase history, in order to gather information for market research companies (still an unethical way of doing it, of course). Or its owner may be interested in your passwords and logons for websites, computer, or even your banking. Part of the reason spyware can slow your computer down so much is precisely because it’s always watching and recording. It may even be recording your keystrokes and looking out for something important.

It goes without saying that you need spyware removal, because no one should allow spyware to remain on their computer, even if it is harmless.

Many spyware developers, distributors or publishers offer free trial versions of their spyware removal software, in an effort to help you make a decision about their product and show you the confidence they have in their product.

This is different to the many ‘free’ spyware removal tools you can get. Many of these are actually fake or spyware themselves, and so it is not recommended you download any of these free tools. Commercial spyware removal tools are better, carry support, and have legitimacy behind them. This, coupled with the fact that you could get a free trial of the spyware removal software, should set your mind at ease that you won’t waste your money or download potentially dangers software that will make your problem worse.

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Since spyware can act very much like numerous kinds of viruses (although spyware’s main objective is to collect information from you) the first thing you might think you need is antivirus software.

Actually, you are close, but antivirus software is not enough. You need antivirus spyware software, or anti-spyware software, or spyware remover software.

The difference is that antivirus spyware software is geared towards spyware specifically. Normal antivirus programs are too broad to take care of spyware, which requires focused attention and is really in a whole different category compared to viruses.

So, now that you know what you need, you may find that a search for antivirus spyware produces a huge mass of results on the internet and you don’t know which one to go for.

Well, you need to be aware that some spyware disguises itself as anti-spyware, so downloading and running any antivirus spyware (especially if its “free”) could cause you more harm than good. Other antispyware may just be fake.

So how do you differentiate between what is legit antivirus spyware software and what is actually a hoax? Here are seven tips to guide you:

1)    The manufacturer, distributor and/or developer of the software is legit. Do some research on the company (or companies) involved and make sure these are reputable companies. Check to see if they have proper support and that there is some way of getting hold of whoever is distributing the product. (If the antivirus spyware is distributed with an affiliate program, then you need to contact the affiliate. This may actually make things a whole lot easier as you don’t feel you need to go through a big company.)
2)    Entirely free antivirus spyware can be suspected (this is not a rule, but you do need to ask yourself how the developers would reimburse themselves for all the development time they spent on the program). Online scans and that sort of thing are probably best avoided, unless you are sure of point 1 above.
3)    Also in light of point 1, if the software claims to be from a reputable company you shouldn’t just take their word for it – especially if it is not on that vendor’s website (say they claim to be from Microsoft or Adobe, but you are not on a Microsoft or Adobe site and cannot find any information on the product at these sites).
4)    If a search on the product on the internet, forums, blogs etc. produces disfavourable results don’t waste your time with the product.
5)    If the website has grammar mistakes, spelling errors, and also graphical glitches, or plain bad copywriting (such as “Get it now!!!!”, with five more exclamation marks) it is probably fake. Generally, most hoaxes on the internet have these characteristics.
6)    If the website employs heavy scare tactics, such as an “automatic scan” that is done in a second and tells you that you have millions of trojans and spyware variants on your computer, you are more than likely dealing with a hoax or spyware software disguised as anti spyware.
7)    If the product has “certified for Windows” stickers then it is probably okay, but make sure you validate this.

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Why it can fall under the term ‘virus’ is because it is, as mentioned, something that you did not want but got anyway. How do you know whether you have obtained an adware virus? If your computer is behaving oddly, such as below, then it is possible you do:

1.    Giving you endless and frustrating banner or pop up adverts of some or other product you may be interested in, or would never be interested in, whether you are on the internet or sometimes even not.
2.    Is frustratingly slow – and may be getting worse.
3.    When you hop on the internet, you find you are redirected to another site regardless of what you type in to your browser.
4.    Advertisements seem to cover-up other advertisements on websites, as if they have ‘popped over’ these adverts.
5.    You seem to get adverts on the hour, every 40 minutes, once a day etc. In other words, there seems to be a pattern (there may not always be a pattern, but this is often the case).

If you experience these, and also recently installed a program that you were not all too sure about, or recently visited a questionable website, you probably have an adware virus. You may also have one even if you did not visit a website or install a program, because sometimes the virus embeds itself in an unsuspecting website as well, and when you visit there it installs itself on your computer.

Adware’s thrust is to advertise to you, and it will find any way in which it can do this. Sometimes, it may frequently trace your web history and try to present adverts to you that it feels you would be interested in.

Often you may think that if you just download the software the advertising may keep pushing you then at least the annoying popups will go away. Don’t. The software it is probably trying to get you to download (for “free”, usually) is more than likely just more adware or even spyware, where your personal information will be collected and sold to another company.

How to prevent adware from installing on your computer

An adware virus can be prevented by virus checkers, but not usually. There are really two sure-fire ways of preventing adware, as well as getting rid of it:

1)    Getting an adware remover program.
2)    Ensuring you download and install security updates regularly.

Because adware is designed to take advantage of security holes in the operating system, one of the best ways to prevent it or even get rid of it is just close up these holes by downloading and installing the regular security updates you are sent.

Furthermore, an adware remover program is designed to prevent and destroy adware. Especially if the adware has a live checker – it is checking while you are online to make sure the website you visit does not have questionable software that is trying to install itself. Also, adware remover programs must also be regularly updated, to ensure nothing gets through the woodwork.

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Spyware can be accompanied, quite often, by adware or malware. Spyware’s aim is to amass as much information about you, the user of the computer, as it can and fish this information off to a third party who will sell it off to the highest bidder.

Many spyware ‘developer’s’ wouldn’t go so far as stealing your passwords or credit card information, knowing full well the trouble this can cause, but they may still try and understand your browsing habits or purchase history, and gather information together that they can sell to market research companies (having said that, some will stoop as low as getting your credit card info or passwords).

Spyware is, obviously, against the law – especially since it installs itself onto your computer without your permission.

Here’s how you get rid of spyware then

The best solution for getting rid of spyware is spyware removal software but there are three things you can also do before you run a scan, to help make things a little easier:

1)    Empty out your temporary folders and cookies
You have no idea how much rubbish these two folders can accumulate. True, cookies can be useful, because they help to remember your logons and passwords as well as prevent long loading times at certain sites. Keep the cookies you need – trash the rest. Spyware can hide in these cookies, and you don’t want to give it that chance.
Same with the temporary folder. Clear it out, most of it is collecting dust anyway, and keeping it all creates a nice hideaway for spyware.

2)    Keep your Internet Browser and Operating System up to date
Most spyware infects Windows because Windows has the biggest market share but, whatever your operating system, keep it up to date and make sure you install those security updates! Spyware likes to take advantage of any security flaws and that is usually its entry point.

3)    Task Manager
If you are familiar with the task manager then you should use it to your advantage. When Windows starts up, open up your task manager and look and see what programs and processes are running. As soon as a banner comes up, or your computer starts slowing down, or the usual strange things start happening see what programs and processes have suddenly popped up. Then get onto Google and search the names of these processes to see if they are valid. Some spyware makes itself sound almost like a legit Windows program (so it will use a name of another Windows application with a small difference) but it, of course, is not legit.

After doing all of this get for yourself some great spyware removal software so you can finally nail this insidious piece of software that has no right to be there. You didn’t ask for it, so why keep it?

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In an effort to seperate the good from the bad here are 14 features that the best spyware removers have. If you check for these 14 features on any of the products you see you will be able to make a better decision.

1)    A Windows registry scan and clean
Spyware makes windows registry entries and the best spyware removers can clean the registry and fish out the spyware entries.

2)    Has an auto-update feature or some sort of update feature
There are new forms of spyware coming out all the time and the anti-spyware must stay ahead of the pack. It must have an update feature and be regularly updated by the developers or publishers.

3)    A scheduled scan facility
We all forget to scan once a week or daily and so a scan scheduler just makes sense.

4)    A proactive scan
Merely scanning when you tell it to scan is not really good enough, as by then you may already be infected with spyware. A proactive scan means that if you visit a website that has spyware on it the spyware remover will prevent an infection from occuring. Prevention is always better than cure!

5)    Protects you from hijacking, dialers and other forms of spyware
There are many forms of spyware and the best spyware removers protect you from all these forms.

6)    Scans the ActiveX components and internet cookies
Plus your add-ons, temporary folders, etc. These are places where spyware likes to hide.

7)    Gives you a log
The software provides you a detailed history of its own actions and what it has found in a scan. Very helpful if you have stubborn spyware as you can use these log entries on internet forums so that techies can help.

8)    Scans processes and Windows applications
Spyware will hide and pretend its a valid Windows process or application. The best spyware removers scan also Windows and its components, processes and files and find where the spyware is hiding.

9)    Automatic startup
This is so that it can get the spyware before the spyware starts up and hides itself. When windows starts up the spyware is at its most vulnerable.

10)    A quarantine facility
So you can retrieve deleted files.

11)    Confirms actions
It doesn’t just do what it wants but confirms its actions with you.

12)    Has Windows Certified stickers
This is so that you know it works on Windows and doesn’t just claim to work – and that it is valid and legit software.

13)    Provides a Windows System Restore point
This is especially helpful to prevent Windows from corrupting. It should do this before deleting any files.

14)    Provides a 14 day trial period
This is especially helpful as it allows you to test it out and see how well it works, for free.

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1)    You are constantly bombarded with adverts on your screen, whether they be on your browser, on your desktop, in your taskbar; and you can be doing anything when they appear, such as writing a document, looking at your pictures, or playing a game).
2)    You are bombarded with adverts popping up whenever you try and browse the internet.
3)    You find that when you want to visit a particular site your browser often redirects you to a different site, and you are noticing some form of pattern in this – it appears to be the same site, or a handful of sites.
4)    You begin to see that any website you go to seems to have an advertisement sitting over any other advertisement on the site, as if it is pasted over or it pops over that advert.
5)    Your computer is annoyingly slow lately, and may even be getting worse.

These are the common symptoms of adware, as well as a few others which may be similar. If the above is happening to you, there is an incredibly strong chance you have adware.

Why do they make adware?

Some adware is legit and is designed to provide a valid service to the consumer and the marketer. Basically, it is supposed to check what you are interested in from your browser history, or from a survey you have conducted, and provide you with relevant advertising. This would be similar to Google Adwords advertising, except that it is located on your computer and has the right to pop up anywhere.

A great deal of adware is illegit, however, and has installed itself on your computer without your permission, or has installed itself under the guise of being other types of legit software. Some adware is even found in adware removal software, so you need to be ensure you know how to pick the right adware removal software.

Picking adware removal software

The best way to do this is make sure that any software you buy is from a legit company that is known for integrity. Make sure you can easily locate the company which produces the software, that they have a valid phone number and adress, are registered legally etc. The easiest way to do this may be by runnning a Google check, or going to Adware forums or sites where the legitimacy of software is discussed, and asking members to enlighten you on the software you want to purchase.

Once you are convinced you are buying legit software (and, beware of complete freebies) then you must ensure that the software will clean adware at registry level, and that the software can be regularly updated to ensure it keeps up to date with new adware trends and software, much like a virus-checker. All the usual scrutiny you would apply when purchasing a virus checker, you should apply when purchasing adware removal software.

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1)    An auto update and update feature (also, the developer provides regular definition updates).
2)    Scans and cleans the registry.
3)    Provides proactive or realtime scanning.
4)    Schedules scans can be set up
5)    Scans and cleans ActiveX components
6)    Scans and cleans internet cookies
7)    Scans and cleans temporary folders
8)    Scans and cleans Windows folders, files, processes etc.
9)    Provides protection from hijacking, dialers etc.
10)    Provides a log of all transactions done
11)    Has a quarantine facility
12)    Has automatic start-up
13)    Confirms all actions before it carries them out
14)    Provides a Windows System Restore point
15)    Has Windows certified stickers
16)    Provides a 14 day trial period.

The top anti spyware all provide these features and so these are the kind of features you should look for when making a purchase.

Are free anti spyware packages reliable?

Unfortunately, many of the absolutely “free” spyware packages are not that reliable. Some of them are, but those are usually specialised or provide commercial versions for companies. At best, though, we should usually have to anti spyware programs to be doubly safe. Fortunately, anti spyware is not as sluggish as virus programs and are a lot more easier to manage (many of the times).

Be wary of the free ant spyware programs. One must consider how the developers, publishers and/or distributors make money out of free software. Many times they may make money by making the software, itself, adware. This is find if you are aware of this, but even then you need to take into consideration what this will mean (besides, you may be trying to get rid of another type of adware with it). Free software usually finds other ways of making money, which is why sometimes the free anti spyware may even be spyware.

Many of them are also fake or may even be spyware themselves. Here are a few pointers to help you distinguish if a particular anti spyware program is a valid one:

1)    All the parties involved – developers, distributors, and publishers are reputable companies. You can do research on each of these companies on the internet or even contact organisations like the FCC in the US. You should also check and see what kind of support is provided with the program and that the companies involved are easy to get hold of. If the software is sold through an affiliate program this may make things easier too.
2)    Make sure that the website, if it claims to be a reputable company (like Microsoft, for example) that you are, indeed, on a valid Microsoft website.
3)    If your research of the product on the internet produces questionable results don’t waste your time any further. Go check out blogs, forums, etc for more details.
4)    If the website had bad copywriting, bad spelling, grammar mistakes etc. it is usually some form of hoax.
5)    If the website uses heavy scare tactics to try and get you to buy the product then you should also be very wary of its legitimacy.
6)    Check and make sure the product has “Certified for Windows” stickers

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Well, before we talk about the many spyware search tools available, it will probably help to know what spyware does to your machine so you can ascertain whether or not you do have it.

1)    Spyware may track your internet browser history and attempt to provide commercials to you that match your own tastes. These commercials come in all forms – pop ups on the screen, banners on the desktop or in your Internet browser, advertisements laying over other advertisements on sites, etc. This kind of spyware is known as “Adware”. It also may not bother checking your tastes but just bombard you with all sorts of advertising.
2)    Force your Internet browser to go to specific sites that match the products sold by the software’s affiliates. Any site you try and visit may redirect to another site all the time, which is incredibly frustrating.
3)    Install more software on your machine that is unsolicited and does all sorts of other things.
4)    Scan for personal information on your hard drive and send this information to the author of the program, who uses it for commercial gain.

There is also malware, which is used solely for malicious intent. It will look to wreak havoc on your computer in some way and use your computer, hard drive, or software for its own purposes.

Is this all harmful?

Yes, it could be harmful to you as a person (see point four above) or harmful to your computer in various ways. By all accounts, it usually slows your computer down considerably or even corrupts your Windows operating system. Furthermore, one spyware on your computer may open the doors for more dangerous spyware to enter.

So how do you conduct a spyware search on your machine?

The best way to search for spyware is get yourself a spyware search program, spyware scanner or anti-spyware software (they are all the same thing).

If you are not sure how you can tell one spyware search program from the other, in an attempt to get the best one, then remember to look for an antispyware that provides a spyware search on all levels – in other words, it will check the registry on Windows, check all of your internet components and add-ons, check your ActiveX components, check your temporary folders, your cookies, all applications on your computer and even Windows files.

Spyware often hides behind other files, so a decent spyware search consists of a full and deep scan of your system.

Whatever tool you get, it also needs to do a scan for all sorts of spyware – malware, adware, dialers, hijackers, even trojans or worms (although a virus checker is usually good for the last two as well).

It also needs to be kept regularly up to date, so that it is able to search for the latest forms and variants of spyware. This is a very important aspect of antispyware.

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One of the ways of knowing what is good and what is bad is knowing what to avoid and what to look for.

Keep in mind that a lot of the spyware removal software on the internet can be fake or spyware themselves. This is especially true with ‘free’ spyware removal, as you need to ask how the parties involved in its production are actually making money. The way that many of them make money is either by making their anti spyware adware (which is a legit way, but nevertheless not ideal) or making the spyware removal spyware itself!

With all that in mind, here’s what you should avoid

1)    Websites with bad copywriting, grammar, spelling etc. are usually selling hoaxes. They usually also look graphically bad – with sharp yellow writing overlaying blue etc. Avoid these websites like the plague.
2)    Avoid any developer, distributor, or publisher with a questionable background. If you can’t find information on the company on the internet or even at its own website, then how much can you trust it? This is especially true if there are no names, phone numbers, addresses or if you call these numbers or check these addresses they are false or questionable. This doesn’t rule out top spyware removal programs that are sold through affiliate programs, but in this case you would come through an affiliate so you would have had direct contact with them.
3)    Avoid a website that claims to be a reputable company, like Microsoft for instance, but has a different website address. If you can’t find the product at the Microsoft website, why should you think it is, indeed, from Microsoft?
4)    Avoid any product that produces questionable results when you do research on the internet about it. If you see people claiming it is a hoax then there are plenty of other programs you can rather get. Even if the price is good!
5)    Avoid any website that employs major scare tactics, like a quick scan (done in a few seconds, which is impossible) that tells you that you have a million trojans and that your computer is majorly infected. These are scare tactics and bad sales techniques, usually trying to get you to buy something that is a hoax.
6)    Make sure the product displays “Certified for Windows” stickers. You can also call Microsoft to make sure it is a certified product.

Here’s what to look for, which are the features that all top spyware removal programs have:

1)    A scheduler scan facility.
2)    Scans and cleans ActiveX components, temporary folders, internet cookies, Windows folders, processes etc. and doesn’t just scan your folders.
3)    Scans and cleans the registry.
4)    Provides proactive scanning.
5)    Has an auto update feature and the developer is always providing new definition updates.
6)    Provides proper protection from other forms of spyware and malware too, such as dialers, hijackers etc.
7)    Provides detailed logs of transactions.
8)    Always checks with you before it does anything.
9)    Has a quarantine facility for deleted files.
10)    Provides a Windows System Restore point.
11)    Has a trial period (14 day trial periods are usually enough time to help you make a purchase decision).
12)    Has an auto start-up feature.

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