The Basics

• Spybot S&D (short for "Search and Destroy") is a program designed to remove both spyware and adware from a user's computer running the Microsoft Windows operating system. Spybot performs detailed scans of a computer's hard drive for any files or folders it considers to be malicious, at which point it removes them. While Spybot is a freeware program, anybody who uses it for corporate purposes has to purchase a license that is to be renewed annually.
  
  

Full System Scans

• Spybot's main function is to perform a full system scan in search of any files considered malicious in nature. Spybot individually scans every file on your computer (or every file you tell it to if you limit the search in any way) and removes anything it knows to be spyware or adware. Spybot can either quarantine the file, which means that no program can access it and it cannot perform any functions, or delete the file from your system outright.
  
  

Definitions

• New pieces of spyware and adware show up on the internet on a continuing basis, so it is always important to keep Spybot updated. By selecting the "update" option from within the program, it will connect to a server and download the latest list of known malicious software and add it to its directory. These are called spyware and adware "definitions." The next time Spybot performs a system scan it with then know to be on the lookout for any new files that may have cropped up.