What is The Difference Between Adware & Spyware ?    The history of computer development is often referred to in reference to the different generations of computing devices. Each generation of computer is characterized by a major technological development that fundamentally changed the way computers operate, resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper, more powerful and more efficient and reliable devices. . Programs, games or utilities can be designed and distributed as freeware. Sometimes freeware blocks features and functions of the software until you pay to register it.   Adware and Spyware  may invade your privacy, contain malicious code, and at the very least they can be a nuisance when using a computer connected to the Internet.   Adware   Adware is considered a legitmate alternative offered to consumers who do not wish to pay for software. The advertisements usually run in a small section of the software interface or as a pop-up ad box on your desktop. When you stop running the software, the ads should disappear. This allows consumers to try the software before they buy and you always have the option of disabling the ads by purchasing a registration key. When you quit the program the ads will stop running on your system.   Spyware   Spyware is considered a malicious program and is similar to a Trojan Horse in that users unwittingly install the product when they install something else. A common way to become a victim of spyware is to download certain peer-to-peer file swapping products that are available today.   Spyware works like adware but is usually a separate program that is installed unknowingly when you install another freeware type program or application. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else. Spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers.   Spyware has the capability to monitor your keystrokes, scan files on the hard drive, snoop other applications, such as chat programs or word processors, install other spyware programs, read cookies, change the default home page on the Web browser, while consistently relaying this information back to the spyware author who will either use it for advertising and marketing purposes or sell the information to another party.    One way to protect a cable-connected PC from malicious hacks is to disable file-sharing and print-sharing capabilities in the operating system.   A better method is to install either a hardware or software firewall. A hardware firewall typically is a small device that the cable and the Ethernet card are both connected to. All transmissions pass through the hardware firewall. A software firewall, which is the more common and cheaper of the two methods, is a piece of code that resides on your PC and is always running. The software watches interactions between the PC and the Internet and blocks any suspicious activities.   A software firewall will protect your computer from outside attempts to control or gain access your computer, and, depending on your choice of software firewall, it could also provide protection against the most common Trojan programs or e-mail worms.     The job of a firewall is to carefully analyze data entering and exiting the network based on your configuration. It ignores information that comes from an unsecured, unknown or suspicious locations. A firewall plays an important role on any network as it provides a protective barrier against most forms of attack coming from the outside world.     Always stay on the side of caution and be sure to research privacy policies and licensing agreements that come with freeware. You should also become familiar with Internet lists of companies reported to be using spyware. Much like a firewall or anti-virus program, anti-spyware software is crucial to maintain optimal protection and security on your computer and network. Updating your firewall and your operating system is essential to maintaining optimal protection, as is testing your firewall to ensure it is connected and working correctly. Anne-Marie Ronsen is the author of many wealth and self development books for women.  Download FREE e-books and software from http://www.e-bestsellers.com , http://www.PLRbestsellers.com  or http://www.UniversalPublishingltd.com  … You will learn about the best tips and recommendations  to improve your health, weight and wealth.  You'll also discover how you can get a top position that will mean loads of traffic, recognition and sales for you and your business.