because of this problem, there are now programs designed to find spyware on your computer and give YOU the option to delete it, and other programs designed to give YOU control over what come into your computer (beyond virus worries)...many otherwise good programs do report on YOUR internet habits, and it should be YOUR choice whether to allow this. 'Almost' all functions can be done with spy-free programs, many of them free!...I will post some links in a bit outlining where to get info and what programs are 'bad'...and where to get replacements if you wish to avoid spyware.