Spyware is a type  of software  that installs itself on a computer  without the user’s permission or acceptance  , and  collects    data   about the user and sends it to whoever controls the Spyware. Adware can be similar to Spyware, but it mainly   delivers   ads and is installed with user permission, but often  under false pretences  . All are  potentially harmful   so you need to remove Spyware, Adware and Malware from your computer.

 Typical   forms of Spyware include: key loggers, screen capture devices and Trojan viruses. It can install on your computer via activex controls on the internet or alongside other software . Without your knowledge or  consent , it will gather  personal information such as passwords, email addresses, web browsing history, age, sex, location etc. These are usually used by hackers or identity thieves to try and access bank accounts etc .

Spyware and Adware consume CPU, Ram  and other resources of your computer , which can slow it down considerably. It will then use  your bandwidth to connect to the internet and send all the information it has gathered, while Adware downloads advertisements which will be  annoying you   through pop-up ads or other kinds of advertisements that are supported by its software.

Installing anti-virus programs such as Avast or McAfee can protect your computer, but you should also use a product dedicated to anti-spyware and anti-adware. Usually , you need at least two defences these days, due to the large amount of Malware that  is floating around  .

If you haven’t tried installing any anti-spyware tools or programs on your computer, I highly recommend  you try Microsoft Defender. This will provide decent security for your computer and it also has automatic update features

There are numerous  steps to protect your computer from Spyware, but generally it is just common sense. Use a firewall, be careful what you download, try the Firefox browser and don’t open email attachments you are unsure of. But definitely make sure that you are using anti-spyware software. Try a Spyware scan on this site to be sure your computer is  not infected  .