University of Tasmania, Australia

At worst adware and spyware can cripple your computer and divulge confidential information about you to third parties without your knowledge or consent. At the very least unwanted spyware and adware reduces the amount of processing power your system can devote to legitimate work and may have the potential to make your computer vulnerable to other forms of malicious code. For these reasons IT Services recommends that the following steps be taken to minimse your exposure to adware and spyware.

• Install, run and regularly update a spyware removal program.
• Thoroughly research all free utility software before you decide to install it.
• Disable automatic file downloading and script running capabilities in your browser software.
• Reconsider any thought to obtain software from 'warez' sites.