Step 3) Remove Unauthorized Software
What many users may not be aware of is the threat posed by adware and spyware. Adware and spyware are programs that download, undetected, from numerous websites and install to PCs without your knowledge or approval. Their purpose is to track what sites you go to on the internet, and what you view and click on at those sites. This information is then sold to marketing companies, who send you targeted spam.
These programs not only intrude on your privacy, account for a large increase in spam, but can also cause Windows to run poorly, crash frequently, and in some cases cause Windows to become unusable and require reinstallation.
There are several free programs available to remove these items, click here to download free copies of each Ad-Aware and SpyBot. These should both be installed and run several times a week. It is important to run both programs, as one will not remove all threats.
