The Internet has brought a new revolution globally – you type anything on a search engine site such as Google and retrieve valuable information. People all over the world are connected to the Internet for personal or professional reasons, and many business organizations are being run online. However, there is another aspect also – the Internet offers many threats worldwide, including spyware and adware. What are they and how can they endanger Internet users?

Spyware is a program that inserted into an exposed PC to secretly to retrieve data about the user and pass on data they collect from their spying to advertisers or any other interested parties. Spyware can enter into a computer like a software virus or while installing a new program. Therefore, it is advisable to install new programs only when the user fully understands any data that the application might be gathering about their Internet usage, and with whom it is being shared.

Adware on the other hand, is any software application where advertising banners are presented when the program runs, or during periodic intervals when the computer user is doing something else. The author of these applications add codes that display the ads, which can be displayed through pop-up windows or redirecting Internet users to ad-filled websites they did not intend to visit.

How can I remove spyware and adware?

Well, eliminating spyware and adware from your computer can be a quite frustrating experience. However, there are several steps that will purge most malicious code from your computer. Paid are readily used to eliminate the software. However, if you don’t want to pay, use the following steps:

• Disconnect from the Internet: First of all, you need to disconnect from the Internet to avoid the malicious software from just being re-downloaded immediately. Turn off your wireless access or unplug the Internet cable if you are using a wired connection.
• Uninstall the program: Go to the control panel and click on add and remove button. Look for the unwanted programs in the list. Remove spyware and adware programs you find. After uninstalling the software, restart your computer.
• Computer Scanning: After you have disconnected the net connection and removed the spyware plus adware from your PC and restarted the computer then the next step is to scan the computer using an anti-virus scanning program.
• Prevent adware and spyware in the future: In order to prevent such programs to be installed in your PC, make sure you are aware of the kind of program, which is being installed on your computer. If you are not sure about a particular program, do not install it.

From now on, try to be more wary when you are surfing the Internet, and don’t download any toolbars, games, or applications unless you are completely sure that you need them, and that they are safe to use.