You may not know it, but your may be spied upon or stalked via the Internet right now. Spyware silently works in the background and can even keep a record of your internet browsing habits. It can create a profile on you and your habits. This information is then sold to advertising companies so that they can market products to you. This is invasive, annoying and difficult to stop. The spyware programs used can cause your browser to crash; your home pages could be altered or used in phishing schemes. Without protection and detection of these programs working in the background, you may not even know that you are being used. In some cases it takes a long period of time for the spyware programs to cause damage to your computer, and you may not know that there is anything wrong until you start getting advertising messages, nasty pop ups that won’t go away, or eventually you will notice problems with your computer systems.

One way of protecting your computer from this type of spying is a software program called, Spybot - Search and Destroy, which recently released the 1.5.2 version, detects and removes spyware. Although you may already have anti-virus software, antivirus detection does not always include spyware protection or detect spyware threats.

Not only can Spybot be used to protect your computer, but, it is free to use. And it is good. It won the PC Magazine’s Editor Choice Award and PC World calls it “the best.”

Some of the unique features of this anti spyware software are:

- It takes just minutes. Spybot is able to be fast and still be thorough by focusing on the specific places spyware programs will have to invade.

- It provides for safe removal of: adware, spyware, dialers, key loggers, Trojans, and usage tracks.

- Spybot-Search and Destroy can also clean usage tracks, protecting your privacy, and stopping other users from seeing the “tracks” of where you go on the internet.

- A unique function is the “immunize” control feature. This feature enables the program to reject certain recognized spyware programs before they can invade your computer’s hard drive.

Many people see the term key logger, but are not sure exactly what it means and what harm it could do to their computer or their information. Some other features of Spybot includes the: safe removal of threats by shredding them, backups of every removed problem, and free support by e-mail or discussion forum. The name key logger was coined back in DOS days where computers where handled just by using a keyboard. The “keyloggers” just logged the keys you press. The spy needed physical access. Modern keyloggers are much improved. They don’t need physical access. They can log the keys you press; make screenshots to show what Windows you’re using, and gather information about your internet usage.

There are two options available with Spybot Search and Destroy. You may choose from an Easy mode that comes with all the basic features and does all the work for you. If you are an experienced computer user or professional, there is also the Advanced option, for those who want options for more control over settings or skins. Both the Easy and the Advanced mode are Free.

Not only does the computer protect your information but it can also be used to test the effectiveness of your current spyware program and allow you to choose which one you want to keep. You may be surprised, by the results of your test. Steve Bass, PC World was:

“…I discovered an app that outshines Ad-aware: Spybot Search and Destroy. Both Ad-aware and Spybot are free, so I downloaded and ran them both, and then I compared the results. (If you do this, make sure to set the programs to find spyware, not remove it, during the test.) The score? Ad-aware found 9 items (cookies and one false-positive program), while Spybot red-flagged 26 items (cookies and two spy apps). Guess which of the two I always use now?”

With the ever changing programs used to spy and stalk users of the Internet, as well as to “trick” them into viewing advertising, it is absolutely essential for every day computer users and businesses to have protection against spyware. Spybot-Search and Destroy covers Internet usage tracks, removes and even prevents invaders. Use of this type of product protects the information on your computer, as well as yourself and your family. Don’t become a victim of spyware; use the tools available to you for free, to protect yourself and your information.

lisa carey is a contributing author for identity theft secrets: prevention and protection. you can get tips on identity theft protection, software, and monitoring your credit as well as learn more about the secrets used by identity thieves at the identity theft secrets blog.

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