| The growth of the Internet has seen a corresponding | | | | new spyware from coming in. If you use other |
| increase in computer security threats in recent times. | | | | browsers such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or |
| However, providers of security solutions as well as the | | | | Opera then there are anti spyware toolbars available |
| popular media, has striven to warn users of the kinds | | | | for these as well. You need to make sure you |
| of dangers they face and how to avoid them. Even | | | | download the correct toolbar though, as an IE toolbar |
| new Internet users, for example, know such things as | | | | won't work with Firefox and vice-versa. |
| not to open email attachments from people they don't | | | | A popular anti spyware toolbar is the one provided by |
| know or download files from sites that may be | | | | Yahoo. However, many users have criticised it for not |
| untrustworthy. | | | | being very effective at detecting adware, a particular |
| However, what many people may not be aware of is | | | | type of malware that displays annoying ads in the |
| that malware such as adware and spyware can | | | | form of popups. In addition to having a spyware |
| sneak onto your computer simply from you browsing | | | | toolbar you will probably want to have other security |
| websites. In the best case scenario these malicious | | | | products on your system to make a more complete |
| programs may simply pop up annoying ads, while in the | | | | solution. For example, Lavasoft's Ad-Aware and |
| worst case they could be recording your keystrokes | | | | Spybot - Search & Destroy are two examples of |
| and using your personal information against you. One | | | | stand alone programs that would help to complement |
| way to achieve protection from these kinds of threats | | | | an anti spyware toolbar. |
| is to download an anti spyware toolbar to your web | | | | The good thing about having an anti spyware toolbar is |
| browser. | | | | that it provides a first line of defense to prevent |
| Before, going ahead and searching for anti spyware | | | | malware coming in via web traffic to your computer. |
| toolbars on a search engine, it may be worthwhile to | | | | Stand alone programs will do periodic scans for |
| first check with your Internet service provider. Many | | | | spyware but this can often mean your computer is |
| ISPs such as Comcast and AOL offer free | | | | slowed down by the spyware for long spells until the |
| downloads for their own specific browsers and these | | | | software catches it. Having both a toolbar and a |
| contain effective anti spyware features as well as | | | | scanning program should enable a complete solution |
| other benefits. These anti spyware toolbars update | | | | against spyware and similar types of malware |
| automatically and can be used easily to remove | | | | program. |
| spyware lurking in your computer and prevent any | | | | |