The first step when it comes to spyware detection is being able to find & identify threats and problems. Spyware includes dangerous types such as Key Loggers, Sniffers, and Trackers. All can be used not just to annoy, but to actually steal your valuable personal information and help in Identity Theft. The most devious and even dangerous spyware keeps silent and refuses to be found. So many times you won't see any signs that it is there, that is why you must remain vigilant in searching it out.

You really do need to have a reliable spyware detection scanning program. We have compiled a list of the top anti-spyware programs and have compared them against each other. Check out our Free Spyware Removal spyware remover review page to see which ones you should be using.

It is a good strategy to have and run multiple programs that are slightly different in order to cover all of your bases. You should have a couple of methods to scan your computer. First, you should have a program that will do a deep scan of all system files and the registry for spyware detection and its related files. You should run this program at least once a week to purge the spyware from your computer. Second, you should have a program that constantly monitors all incoming files (even ones that you don't know about) and alerts you to potential problems. Now, this can be annoying sometimes if it attempts to block something that you want or need, but after a couple of weeks with the program, you will have most permissions set and it will do a good job of blocking the bad things (at least giving you that option) and allowing you the freedom you need.

Here is how to tell if you have spyware without scanning:

Pop-Ups!

This is probably the most annoying sign that you need to do some scanning and spyware detection. Now, I'm not reffering to the pop-ups that occur in your everyday internet browsing. Those can be stopped fairly easily by getting an internet toolbar that can block pop-ups, like Google Toolbar or Yahoo Toolbar. I'm talking about the pop-ups that happen even when your internet browser is closed. The most useful tool for blocking pop-ups on the machine can be a program called Spybot Search and Destroy from a small software company called PepiMK Software. You can download this program for free from Download.com and are encouraged -- but not required -- to make a donation to its author, to help him with his work. The program is similar to the free version of Ad-aware from Lavasoft (www.lavasoftusa.com/). Both programs are good, but Spybot is more aggressive and gets rid of programs that Ad-aware leaves behind.

The program will scour your computer's memory and hard drives for any programs or "cookies" that rob you of your privacy or your productivity. Each program it finds has an explanation of why it's there and whether it's safe to remove. By going along with the program's recommendations, you can free your machine of all the spyware and eliminate all those pesky pop-up ads. After you restart your machine there are not only fewer pop-ups but the machine will be much faster.

Slow Bootup and Running

This is perhaps the most common symptom of spyware, a SLOW computer. Whether its during startup or just in everyday use. If you notice that your computer has decreased from its original speed, it usually means that there are too many things going on at once, and often because your computer is infected with multiple spyware programs that are draining your computers processing power. Find out more detail on slow computers here: Spyware Removal