Like Trojan programs, spyware secretly installs itself when you download software like shareware or freeware programs, or visit an unscrupulous website (not all shareware and freeware programs install spyware, but with the correct tools installed, you will know if they do).  Spyware is capable of tracking your movements online and delivers ads based on where you surf. Pop Up advertisements proliferate on the Internet, your Web browser gets more cluttered, and can even be completely obscured by "pop-up" advertising windows. Intrusive advertising can hinder your browsing, and some ads even set cookies and run damaging scripts... Fortunately, there are tools that can protect you: For example,  ZoneAlarm Pro 5.0 blocks Pop Up advertisements by default, and the free utility Spybot Search and Destroy will detect and kill spyware programs.

Buy antivirus software and keep it updated. Remember, antivirus software can only detect and stop viruses that it knows about (for the most part - most anti virus packages are able to detect virus like activity even if they don't have the actual virus in their database), it is absolutely crucial to keep your virus patterns up-to-date. Most antivirus packages have a live update feature that will allow you to set up the frequency of antivirus updates.  Update your virus patterns at least daily. Programs like ZoneAlarm Security Suite , Panda Antivirus, and Kaspersky Anti-Virus even have products that combine firewall and antivirus into one package.  ZoneAlarm Pro 5.0 also includes e-mail security, which quarantines dangerous attachments and prevents worms from sending mass mailings from your machine. Most antivirus packages cost between $30 and $50, and combination internet security tools range from $60 - $80.  As a free alternative, Antivir Personal Edition does a good job of protecting Windows machines, but seems to lack the scheduled automatic updates feature which is a critical feature.

"The perfect personal firewall would be inexpensive and easy to install and use, would offer clearly explained configuration options, would hide all ports to make your PC invisible to scans, would protect your system from all attacks, would track all potential and actual threats, would immediately alert you to serious attacks, and would ensure nothing unauthorized entered or left your PC." This great definition is quoted from Make Your PC Hacker Proof, Jeff Sengstack, PC World, July 21, 2000.

FACT:  Microsoft operating systems dominate the personal computer market.  From Windows 95 to Windows XP, Microsoft has developed desktop operating systems that are easy to use, full of features and packed with functionality.  As evidenced by the plethora of internet outbreaks of recent years, where these same Windows computers have played a major role in propagating viruses that bring down entire networks, e-mailing worms that replicate at lightning speed, playing host to Trojan horses that hide inside otherwise innocent programs, or inviting hackers that take over computers; security has taken a back seat to these same features and functionality.

Fortunately, there are numerous computer software vendors who have picked up where Microsoft has left off, as well as many computer professionals who are willing to help educate the online community on the perils of using improperly secured Microsoft desktop machines in an internet environment. Provided in this article, are some of the most essential tools and concepts for protecting desktop PCs and end user privacy.