While one may not realize they have installed spyware, there are some signs that it exists on the computer to watch out for.

• If there are changes to the web browser that the user did not make, such as extra toolbars or different homepage settings, as well as changes to the security settings and favorites list, the user could have spyware running on your system.
• Pop-up ads which aren't related to the web site the user is viewing; usually spyware advertisements are adult content in nature and are not displayed in the same fashion as legitimate ads that would normally be seen on web sites.
• Also, advertisements when the user is not browsing the web.
• Clicking hyperlinks which do not work (or take the user somewhere he or she didn't expect), a sluggish system, or the system taking longer to load the Windows desktop

These are all are signs that the computer may be infected with spyware.

[2005: www.webopedia.com ]

Removing Spyware:

Removing Spyware can be difficult. Many of the Spyware programs are intentionally written so that it will be hard to remove them.

Here are tips on removal:

• Make sure the pc has the most recent updates the operating system.  If a Windows operating system is installed, visit Microsoft.com: Updates while using an Internet Explorer browser to download them. Microsoft requires the use of Internet Explorer 6 or Internet Explorer 7 to download and install Windows Updates.
• Left-click on "Start" and then left-click on the control panel to open it. Left-click on "Add/remove programs. Look carefully down the list for any programs whose names sound suspicious. 
• Check out the sites below for more detailed information on spyware removal.
• Download a free copy of Ad-aware or AVG Anti-Spyware by clicking on the attachments below and run program to check for spyware.

Additional Information on Spyware

Microsoft Updates:

Microsoft updates for Windows (you must be using an Internet Explorer Browser)

A general knowledge site with link to downloading Ad-Aware from Lava Soft’s Web Site:

This site gives symptoms of Spyware and malware:

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