The term ‘spyware’ describes programs which send information from your computer to another destination on the internet without your knowledge or consent. This information can be anything – from mundane data like cookies, email addresses and visited websites to scary stuff like bank account details and passwords.

But don’t fear: while spyware is insidious and dangerous, it’s also quite easy to beat. All you need is some know-how and the right spyware removal software.

The quickest way to combat spyware is to avoid downloading and installing it in the first place. This is easier than it sounds: unlike viruses and trojan horse programs, spyware creators need your okay to install their programs on your computer. However, these requests for consent are always well-hidden: for example, in the Licensing Agreement of legitimate program or in an annoying internet pop-up. If you’re not the sort of person who reads all the fine print before clicking ‘OK’, read on...

If you’ve accidentally installed spyware programs, you’ll need some spyware removal software. Fortunately there are many spyware removal utilities available, each with different features and a different price tag. At the cheaper end of the spectrum is Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware, free removal software which scans your computer for spyware and disposes of it thoughtfully. While Ad-Aware is easy on your wallet it won’t necessarily remove all the spyware on your computer.

For more comprehensive software, you might be better off turning to one of the bigger names in the security software business. Symantec’s Norton Antivirus 2009 is a good point of comparison. While this award-winning program will set you back around $A60, it offers a range of innovative and powerful security, including real-time threat updates. This means it can recognise more malicious programs than other software – including emerging threats – giving you up-to-the-minute protection against spyware and other nasties.

Author: Daniel "Spyhunter" Selikowitz

Norton Antivirus 2009	Norton Internet Security 2009	Norton 360