Many new freeware programs (and even some commercial ones) come with and abundance of hidden programs call Spyware. Spyware is software that installs itself without your knowledge, or pretends to be an innoccous "media helper" program. With these programs, the developers collect personal information from you and your computer including websites you go to, and items you buy. They then use that information to send back pop-up ads to your desktop.

In addition to invading your privacy, these programs are also a security risk to your computer. They access the internet to send your data, but hackers can utilize their connections to hack into your computer. These programs are not written with any regard for speed and effiency - they slow down your computer and your network connection.

In one particular example, a feature (B3D projector) installed by default with KaZaA includes in its user license a clause that allows it to legally use your computer to help it's ad network by using your processor and memory to send information to other computers. This significantly slows down your machine and sucks up bandwidth.

What Can You Do?

Ad-aware by Lavasoft is an award winning free multi spyware removal utility that scans your memory, registry and hard drives for components of known Spyware/Adware parasites, Malware, Browser hijackers, Scumware, Foistware, and allows you remove them efficiently and safely. This is a very useful tool that will help alleviate system slowdown and odd behavior that is due to spyware and ad-bot programs. It is updated frequently.