For instance, some spyware programs redirect Web search engine results to paid advertisements.

Adware displays advertisements and other commercial content often based upon personal information retrieved by spyware programs.

As mentioned above, some spyware programs remain undetected on users' computers and .

A spyware program is rarely alone on a computer: an affected machine usually has multiple infections.

These common spyware programs illustrate the diversity of behaviors found in these attacks.

The activities of spyware programs can be relatively benign, obnoxious or even blatantly illegal.

Still, you may have a spyware program or something more nefarious on your computer.

Many spyware programs find their way onto your PC along with software you may actually want, like a free game.

Instructions for safely removing many common spyware programs are posted at www.pchell.com/support/spyware.shtml.

Several programs are available that can help you hunt down a spyware program and remove it from the hard drive.