[randytsuch]

In building my new PC, I came across something I was not aware of, spyware.

In a nutshell, websites and different software can add hidden programs to your PC.  It can track you surfing, and then send information out to "interested parties".  Not only does it spy on you, but it wastes bandwidth and your PC's computing time.

I was not sure if this is common knowledge, and I just did not know about it, or if it's a fairly new thing?

Anyway, I am trying this program out
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
It's free (but he takes donations).
It not only detects spyware, but also is supposed to prevent it from getting on your PC.  
I just installed it this morning, and it found a bunch of stuff on my brand new PC, which has been on the net a hour or two, and with Mcafee protecting it.

This site http://www.safer-networking.org/
has spybot, which is supposed to be very good at finding and killing spyware on your PC.

Randy

[Double Ugly]

Spybot's great.  I've been running it for about 6 months now and find it to be a powerful little tool.  I ran AdAware for years, but like Spybot much better.

DU

[Brad]

just be sure to check out the details of the anti-spyware.
Some of the programs that purport to clean out spyware are actually spyware themselves.

[Rob Babcock]

I run spybot DAILY, unless I forgot one day.  Very nifty program.

[KKM]

I have also been using spybot, but does anyone know if it can detect employers who snoop. On a coworkers computer, I was really surprise to see how the company's helpdesk can control their screen from a remote site.

[EchiDna]

I have also been using spybot, but does anyone know if it can detect employers who snoop. On a coworkers computer, I was really surprise to see how the company's helpdesk can control their screen from a remote site.

OT, but ...
nothing unusual there... using PC anywhere for instance I could control your PC from my desk here... BUT you would be aware of me doing it as you have to authorise it.
On the server side, there is nothing I know of that you can do to protect yourself from what your IT department can see/do with the information you send or receive. Keystroke recorders can be used too which, exactly as it sounds can check out what you type and keep tabs on it.

However, at the end of the day, what IT department is going to bother with that? if you have 200+ users, how big would the IT department have to be to filter through all the crap? no company would sustain that kind of expense for long!
Big brother may be watching you, but with so many channels to choose from, unless you are stupidly surfing or downloading porn, you will be fine.