Spyware and adware are software that gets installed on your computer, usually without your knowledge, that monitors your computer’s use. The software may spawn pop-up ads, redirect you to an unwanted website while you are on the Internet, monitor your Internet surfing activity or record your keystrokes while you are online. This recording of keystrokes may lead to identity theft or credit card fraud. The terms “spyware” and “adware” are the basicially same type of software. They are software that you may not be aware of and is running on your computer. The online companies who distribute this type of software maintain that you have downloaded their software to help them better service your  needs. They would also claim that you received their software as part of another free software package that you downloaded and installed. Lastly, that during the download process, that you agreed to accept pop-up ads for their advertised products. This is same software that have victimized individuals with an unexpected change in their opening Internet page, a new default search engine, an avalanche of pop-up ads while online, computer slow downs or a computer crash – know the software as spyware. Any unsolicited software that runs on your computer is malicious spyware software.

Here's some helpful tips to protect against spyware and adware:

* Only download sofware from trustworthy Internet sites..
* Pay attention to the messages that may appear when installing programs. Some spyware programs display messages asking for your permission to install the application. Read their agreements very carefully as well.
* Be careful of the sites that you visit...spyware can also be installed on a computer simply by visiting a website.
* Scan your computer for spyware regularly with a spyware utility and remove it immediately.