I ran across some well known Spyware on a customer's computer today in the form of a toolbar for Internet Explorer called MyWebSearch, typically bundled with a free screensaver program and Smiley Central (cute "smiley" faces for your email). These programs are almost always associated with inviting other, more destructive software into your PC under the guise of pop-up advertising.

I told the user that it wasn't such a good idea and she was reluctant to remove it because she didn't want to lose her screensaver. This isn't the first time I've seen this issue.

The general rule of thumb in downloading software - if it's fun and it's free (to you), it's not worth it. The bottom line is that someone is paying for the software - either the advertisers that sneak pop-ups onto your screen, or the so-called Spyware removal software conveniently offers to remove the pop-ups with one of it's own. Typically it's the same company that created the problem offering to clean it up.

A few of the most popular (or associated with) Spyware software:

Keeping this crapware off your computer is usually just a matter of common sense.
- Don't download music illegally.
- Be careful visiting of fun web sites or downloading funware.
- Keep your security software updated and don't let other folks near your computer with the "latest thing" to keep you safe.

Chances are, if you've avoided the software already, you don't want to fix what's not broke.