Destroy Those Spywares!

You know these problems with your computers -- sluggish performance,
a new home page or search engine for your internet browser, or persistent
modem activity even when you're not sitting at the computer!

The number one reason for computer repair these days is not hardware
but software, in particular, what is known as spyware. Spywares are
uninvited guests to your computer, who just sneak in without your
permission when you visit certain websites or have certain pop-up ads
appear on your desktop, or download free software. The Internet is
littered with spyware. These are tiny applications that live on your hard
drive and either direct you to advertising sites or record your Internet
surfing activities to download even more advertising.

Particularly, you should be beware of computer games sites that your
children visit often. Those sites are regular suppliers of spywares. It is
also a good idea to switch over to Firefox browser which is gaining more
and more popularity and provide advanced security features and can
stop many of the spywares from invading your computer.

Fortunately, a number of applications are available that can diagnose
and quarantine spywares. The one we like best is Spybot Search and
Destroy . It's completely free. Even its periodic file updates come free.
Spybot offers both basic and advanced modes and includes the widest
variety of customization. Other available anti-spyware applications can
be downloaded from these links (some are not free and we must say that
all are almost equally good so better go for the free ones)
Spybot Search and Destroy 1.4
Lavasoft Ad-aware SE
Microsoft AntiSpyware (Test beta version)
Webroot Spy Sweeper 4.0
Norton Internet Security 2005 Antispyware Edition (Test beta version)