Spyware

the biggest piece of spyware in your machine is never scanned for by ANY anti-spyware application. this spyware of which i speak is called index.dat. there are 5 or 6 of these files scattered all through the windows directory. they record practically everything you do with your computer. another piece of spyware is called a cookie, although these aren't as invasive as index.dat. the most insidious spyware phones home without your consent nor knowledge, this is why the windows built-in firewall is worthless, it doesn't block outgoing attempts to access the internet.