Stopping Badware

If you download a free game, a screensaver or a desktop theme, sometimes a hidden program piggybacks on the download. It can cause pop-up ads or change your browser's behavior. It can also record your web surfing, report that information to a marketing group and then deliver targeted ads to you. Programs like these are known as badware. Stop Badware is a "neighborhood watch" group that is fighting badware. Their site explains why badware exists, how to identify it and how to get it off your computer. You can also join their discussion group or subscribe to their mailing list. There's even a place to submit your own badware horror story.