If your computer starts to behave strangely or displays any of the symptoms listed below, you may have spyware or other unwanted software installed on your computer.

• If you notice that you are receiving pop-up advertisements all of a sudden, there is a 99% chance you have some form of spyware or malicious program on your PC.

  Some malicious software will bombard you with pop-up ads that aren't related to any particular Web site you're visiting. If you see pop-up ads as soon as you turn on your computer or when you're not even browsing the Web, you have spyware or other malicious software on your computer.
  

• If your Internet Explorer settings have changed and you can't change them back to the way they were.

  Some unwanted software has the ability to change your home page or search page settings. This means that the page that opens first when you start your Internet browser or the page that appears when you select "search" may be pages that you do not recognize. Even if you know how to adjust these settings, you may find that they revert back every time you restart your computer.
  

• If your web browser contains additional components that you don't remember downloading.

  Spyware and other unwanted software can add additional toolbars to your Web browser that you don't want or need. Even if you know how to remove these toolbars, they may return each time you restart your computer. Some of these toolbars require programs like Hijack This and other independent freeware to remove them. Having a full protection Internet Suite can prevent these toolbars from even being installed in the first place.
  

• If your computer seems sluggish, spyware may be a contributor.

  Spyware and other unwanted software are not designed to be efficient or friendly to your PC's resources. The resources these programs use to track your activities and deliver advertisements can slow down your computer and errors in the software can make your computer crash. Although it may be a contributor, spyware may not be the only reason your PC is slowing down. Accomplish the short but imperitive tasks on this page before installing or removing any software that you think may help fix your pc.
  

If you think your computer is infected with spyware, the programs below can not only help you remove spyware but also prevent spyware from making it's way onto your computer.

• Spy Sweeper
• AVG Anti Spyware Professional
• Zone Alarm Anti Spyware

• Zone Alarm Anti Virus
• AVG Anti Virus Professional

• Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite
• McAfee PC Protection Plus
• AVG Internet Security Suite
• McAfee Internet Security Suite
• McAfee Total PC Protection with full Backup