Spyware, adware, diallers, and web bugs can easily be installed onto a PC without the owner even realising. These infections can slow down or crash the computer, change a browser's home and search pages, track surfing habits or even open up the PC to hackers ready to take passwords and personal details if not traced and removed. That's where programs like NoAdware become invaluable.

NoAdware protects the computer with:

•PC immunization – to block rogue installations

•browser and PC shields – to prevent blacklisted URLS finding their way into Favorites or hijacking the browser

•scheduling scans to remove infections

PC immunization protects against a regularly updated database of recognized programs known to be spyware, adware, unauthorized toolbars or similar. Requests by these programs to install themselves on the computer will be blocked, eliminating many popup ads, preventing surfing habits being reported and stopping passwords being sent to unscrupulous con men. If one of these programs does get so far as attempting to install itself, NoAdware will stop it from doing so.

Browser and PC shields provide real time protection against hijackers. A highjacker is not to be confused with a hacker. A hijacker changes the home or search page URL to what it wants them to be, sometimes even locking itself in and preventing the preferred URL being put back. NoAdware will prevent these hijack changes, as long as the appropriate filter is switched on. There is also a Favorites menu alert which makes an announcement when a URL is added to the Favorites. This ensures every one added is a genuine URL added by the PC owner.

The schedule function of NoAdware lets scans run on the PC without the need to remember to perform them. Scans can be run manually at any time, but if it always gets forgotten, the scheduler can be set for a time the PC will be always switched on and it will run itself. Regular scans are important. Despite the real time protection offered by NoAdware, new types of net nasty are being released all the time, so it is always possible a new one could slip through before the latest database has been downloaded.

Whilst it is a well-known fact that many of these parasite programs come from file sharing applications, anyone who uses the Internet is at risk.

Fake websites and sites programmed to pop up advertisements are prime examples of where adware and web bugs can be found. As soon as, or preferably before, a new PC goes online, it should be protected with anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Since much of the software is available online free of charge, many people prefer to download rather than buy the software. If that is the case, the first sites visited on a new Internet connection should be to load up with anti-virus and anti-spyware.

NoAdware is one such product – free for download from the company website and highly effective against spyware. Available since 2002, No Adware comes well recommended. It runs on most versions of Windows: 95, 98, ME, NT 3.x, XP, 2000, 2003 and CE.