Applications that you download from the internet can have a very high, medium or low risk of containing spyware and adware. High risk programs are those such as free screensavers, desktop enhancements or other free download. Unless you can be one hundred percent sure there is no spyware or adware in these programs, you should avoid downloading them at all cost. The medium category is for those that you know what you're installing such as free utility programs and downloadable games. The lowest risk programs are those that come from major software vendors such as Adobe.

To get rid of spyware and adware the first step is to become educated. Once you know what you are dealing with you will be able to get rid of it. If you find yourself overrun with spyware and adware then a quick and easy way to get rid it provided you catch it early is to run a Windows System Restore. No matter how vigilant you are on the internet it is inevitable that you will eventually come across these systems and you must remove them as quickly as possible.