Preventing spam
Preventing viruses

Internet Bugs and your computer

Spyware is one the latest ways of getting into your computer but its unlike a computer virus. A computer virus likes to destroy your computer and your files. A spyware program wants to take from you, especially bank and credit card numbers and passwords. They pass through firewalls and virus protection software because they often come attached with software or programs you allowed onto your PC. Since you gave a program access to your computer to be installed for example a Trojan horse program, or spyware program, may also be installed without your knowledge. These anti spyware programs search for spyware programs on your PC or information attempting to leave your PC without your knowledge or permission.
Popular programs in 2009 include StopZilla, Webroot Spysweeper and then the common anti-virus makers have version such as McAfee, Norton, AVG, Symantec, Kaspersky and others.

Stopping Spyware
Do not lower your browser security levels, it opens up your PC more so to hackers.
If you have anti-virus software it may not contain anti-spyware on it unless it is a package suite.