What is spyware? Spyware programs make money for their publishers by reporting your internet travels and sending advertisements to users. Some also report your name, e-mail address, and other personal information. How do adware-removal tools work? Most adware-removal tools act like antivirus tools. They maintain a library of spyware filenames and registry keys; searching for and removing them from your computer. How did I get it? Many free programs come with spyware or adware. The program installer doesn't always describe every program being installed.