As you cruise the Internet, cookies are downloaded onto your computer. Most of these small files are harmless "trackers" but some can install "Adware" and "Spyware" on your computer that will keep "contacting" their originators. These types of downloads slowdown the network by continuously "calling home".

Adware is usually used to send information over the network in order to control the data displayed in the "pop-up" boxes that you see on your computer while you are on the Internet.

Spyware can be extremely dangerous as it can steal credit card and bank account information and user names and passwords - without your knowledge! Spyware gets installed on your computer when you download unsafe FREE programs such as live desktop weather or news information, games, screen savers, etc. Another way it gets installed is when pop-up boxes appear over and over on your screen. While you are busy trying to close all of the boxes, spyware is being downloaded onto your computer! Most of the time you are not even aware that it is being downloaded until your computer begins to behave strangely!

The software listed below can be installed free of charge for non-commercial purposes! Use them to scan for adware and spyware. After you download and install theses programs you will need to update and run them frequently!

Adware cleaner -

• Lavasoft Ad-Aware at http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
  

Spyware cleaner -

• Spybot Search and Destroy 1.3 at http://spybot.safer-networking.de/en/index.html