While clicking from site to site on the internet you are likely to land yourself on a website that downloads spyware onto your computer system. Even while using familiar or unlikely and secure web site you run the risk of being infected with unwanted spyware. Most commonly, spyware detects and records your internet and computer usage information so advertisers can bombard you with pop ups and email ads they feel are appropriate to your interests. More malicious spyware applications can identify, record and send to intruders your credit card, bank account and social security information to intruders who use it for identity theft.

Computers users often leave themselves vulnerable to spyware infection because they assume their anti-virus software will protect against spyware. Spyware is a computer parasite separate from computer viruses. A virus seeks out computers to destroy their functions while spyware is designed to work along side the computer, all the while recording your private information and sending it out to intruding individuals or sold to companies. Spyware can and does build up on your computer, causing crashes among other malfunctions.

Spyware is capable of overtaking your web browser and forcing your to access unwanted sites. The best way to avoid this situation is by using one or more of the many spyware scan and removal tools. Spybot Search and Destroy has become one of the most used free spyware programs. It works first by scanning your computer for current spyware infections and then safely removing them. Their latest version can protect against spyware while you surf the internet by blocking the sites from downloading unauthorized spyware onto your computer.

For additional information and advice on finding and using an anti-spyware program it may be helpful to visit one of the many message boards or online forums where you can get input from people dealing with similar spyware problems.