Spyware, adware, malware, trojans, hijackers, keyloggers, spybots, trackware, worms, dialers... All words to describe 'malicious software which doesn't belong on your PC'.

Firstly, don't automatically assume that your virus scanner will keep you safe from all of these, as many don't unless you have a full security suite application.

Secondly, even if you've got a package that claims to detect all of these, don't asusme that it will do so without your input. There are two types of scanners - active, and passive.

• Active scanners permanantly run on your computer, and monitor everything you do to continually keep your computer safe. These are often the best programs to run, however because they're always running they can often slow youer machine down.
  
  
• Passive scanners instead runs only when you tell it to - it will get the latest update, scan your PC, fix anything it finds, and then close

I'm not going to discuss active scanners here as most of you may already have something, and I don't want to recommned installing two at the same time, so, here I'm going to discuss one of the best free leading passive scanners - Spybot Search & Destroy. Because it's a passive scanner, it won't corrupt, or uninstall, or interfere with anything you may already have.

So, here's how to install Spybot, run a scan, and 'immunise' your PC to help protect it.

1. Download from http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Spybot-Search-Destroy/1043809773/1
2. Run the file you've downloaded to start the installation
3. You can safely accept the defaults, so keep clicking Next, or OK
4. Once the install has finished, load it by clicking on START>Spybot Search & Destroy
5. To Update the software:
   
   1. click the "Search for updates" button, select a 'mirror' (don't worry which one), click Continue
   2. You should see a list of files, tick all the boxes, and click Download
   3. Ignore any message about immunisation for now
   4. Once it has finished click Exit
6. To run a scan:
   1. Click "Search & Destory" in the top left panel
      
   2. Click "Check for Problems", and make a cup of tea - it'll take about 10-20 minutes (but you can use your PC at the same time)
   3. If no problems are found - congratulation, you can move onto 'Immunization'
   4. If Spybot has found something, it will be displayed in the lower section. Now, the simple advise here is to fully trust Spybot's reccomendations for removals. However if you'd like to check - then remember that the important entries to remove will be shown in Red, I suggest you leave these ticked for removal. Green entries are just 'tracks' showin where you've been. You don't have to remove these, but I'd recommend it.
   5. Click "Fix Selected Problems" to remove the threats.
7. To 'Immunise":
   1. Before you start, you'll need to close any web browsing windows (inlcuding this one), so print, or copy and paste these instructions somewhere you can get to them.
      
   2. Click "Immunize" in the top left panel
      
   3. Click the green "Immunize" icon on the top menu
   4. Wait a few mites, and that should be it

Ideally, you should try and do this, update, scan, and immunize process once a week.