The open question still remains whether the agreement between the FTC and Zango, formerly known as 180solutions, will reduce adware.

The Federal Trade Commission said Zango, a major adware distributor formerly known as 180solutions, and its two principals, Keith Smith and Daniel Toddhad of Bellevue, Wash., agreed to settle FTC allegations that the company used unjust and misleading methods to install and hinder the removal of adware on consumers' computers in violation of federal law.

The rising attractiveness of online video attracts the interest of malicious hackers and hi-tech criminals.Security firms are reporting more and more instances of infected Windows codecs - file compressors - required to play some video formats.

Some of the codecs let individuals play internet videos, but also have spyware and adware wrapped inside.

IObit has released Advanced WindowsCare Pro version 2, a dominant Windows 2000/XP software that analyzes and fixes Windows problems without human intervention, all the while protecting users from spyware and from threats to their privacy. Unlike difficult patch up and defense programs that are designed for network administrators and computer consultants, Advanced WindowsCare Pro lets home users and business people detect blockages, eliminate freeze-ups, and lock out privacy threats and spyware. After users install Advanced WindowsCare Pro, it works silently in the background, keeping their business and home computer safe.

Webroot Software , in cooperation with research solutions provider GMI presented a recent report which shows that young males aged 18 to 29 are at the highest risk of being infected with spyware.

After nearly two years in beta testing, Microsoft has at long last released the final version of Windows Defender, its free anti-spyware software. The tool is available now for Windows XP, and will ship as part of Windows Vista.