The nightmare is not over! I had just removed spyware from my system and had my registry cleaned but now my mouse is again behaving erratically! After the horrifying experience of the spyware on my system, I had installed AVG anti-spyware (www.grisoft.com) AVG anti-virus (free.grisoft.com) and ZoneAlarm firewall (http://www.zonelabs.com)

ZoneAlarm is one of the best firewalls that prevent your internet connection from hackers and other security breaches but they aren't a cure for everything as adware can be installed from a lot of different sources such as email or browser plugins or even software you install yourself!

For example, when I viewed the AVG scanning reports, it says 11 spies treated!!! My system is still slow and the internet connection takes forever to download a page. When I started to check out on this new problem, it was found out to be Adware. The first thing was to check the latest software installed. Free downloads often come with adware programs that generate revenues for the sponsors. (Note: another free personal firewall I have tried and found useful is Kerio's Personal Firewall (http://www.kerio.com) )

You need not understand the adware and its technology before you end up removing them but additional knowledge definitely helps to combat the problem. In most of the cases, the last of the traces can be removed only after re-installing the operating system. Firstly, you need to scan your PC. If you do not have any firewall or anti-virus or any anti-spyware installed you can begin with free online PC scan at http://FreeScan.1st-in-bargins.com anytime.

Adware typically track your browsing habits, your internet pattern and may also record your personal details like passwords, credit card details, bank account information or any other confidential records. All this happens without your permission!!! This may also attribute to an identity theft. These horrible parasites –adware, malware, spyware can have unauthorized access to your files and may even change their content.

While searching for a good firewall and anti-spyware blocker, I also came across Pest Patrol Anti-Spyware.( www.pestpatrol.com) It removes active spyware applications and definitely gives a relief from annoying pop-ups. It not only makes your internet surfing more comfortable but also recovers your PC resources from hidden applications. The drawback is that the trial version removes only the low level risks. The high level threats can be tracked and removed only with the help of complete version.

You can also try Ad-Aware SE Personal (www.lavasoftusa.com) that is specifically available for machines using Windows OS. It detects and deletes adware from your PC and frees it from any malicious threats.

Spybot – Search and Destroy (www.safer-networking.org)and Spyware Blaster ( www.javacoolsoftware.com). Both these programs help you to detect any malicious spyware on your system and help you to keep it free. Spyare blaster does not scan and clean your system but it only prevents any further intrusions from spyware, hijackers, adware, dialers, etc.

Finally, if you have not heard of Hijack This (www.majorgeeks.com ) then its about time you knew about it as well. It scans the registry and hard drives for any hidden spyware and generates a report for the browser add-ons, buttons and start up items. Basically, it helps you to detect any malicious installations and identify them so that you can remove them from your system. One very useful feature of this program is the way it can gather all information and save them all in a standard format that you can post to various security forums so that other people can take a look at them and give you tips on how you are infected (try searching for "HiJack This" on google and see what I mean) :)