Spyware sucks really bad - and if you've done any amount of internet surfing, you'd have run into more than your fair share of bad spyware and adware. You don't have to reformat your computer and throw your hands up in frustration if you get hit by a bad batch of spyware though - there are a few great spyware removal software programs that will clean your computer up and get you right back on track!

These are programs that have saved my butt more than a few times - now they're among the first things I install on every computer I work on. Read on and get your free spyware removal programs today!

This is one of my favorite free spyware nukers ever. The main features of this spyware eliminator are:

• User Friendly
• FREEE!
• Works with Windows Vista
• Simple Installation
• Removes spyware, adware, trojans, malware, malicious cookies, dialers, keyloggers, browser hijackers, and lots of other nasty spyware that you encounter on your daily Internet journey
• Frequent definitions updates

You can download the Spybot Free Anti Spyware software here.

This is the other piece of free anti spyware software I use (because when it comes to spyware, running multiple anti spyware software allows you to get more comprehensive protection, as one will pick up what the other will not).

Some of the features of this free spyware cleaner include:

• New scanning engine for more accurate results
• Tracksweep gives you privacy options for your internet browsing
• Multiple browser support
• User friendly interface
• Extensive detection database
• System Restore Point

Download Ad-Aware 2007 for free

It's easy to get lost in the world of spyware terms - there are so many different terms and acronyms and everything else that it can be a pain to figure out which way is up! Here are a few quick definitions for spyware terms to help you understand the dangers facing your computer.

Spyware - This is a hidden program on your computer that can transmit personal information about you. Most of the time, spyware is included on things that you download (which is why you have to be very careful about where you download things from).

Adware - This is a slightly less malicious form of spyware (well, depending on your perspective). This is a type of program that is used to push advertisements on you. They can take the form of pop ups, browser hijacks, and other unsavory ways to make you look at the company's ads.

Tracking Cookies - There are good cookies, which are ones that remember things like the fact that you logged in to a site, which lets you go right back to it without having to log back in. Then, there are bad cookies, which are ones that track your behavoir and reports back to the site that made it.

Dialer - This is a threat for dial up users, as it will phone expensive phone numbers in return for promises of anything from free porn to free software. There are legitimate dialers out there - this term refers to those that install themselves and dial out without your knowledge or consent.

Keyloggers - This is a malicious bit of code that keeps track of what you type and can even keep track of what you are browsing and looking at. This is used to harvest things like bank accounts and credit card numbers.

Trojan Horse - This is a malicious piece of software that creates a backdoor on your computer. This allows for the code's creator to access your computer and install keyloggers and other damaging code, as well as getting access to your personal information.