Why should I get antivirus software?

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Question:
Why should I get Antivirus, spyware, and adware protection?

Answer:
The question you should probably be asking is "What are viruses, spyware, and adware?"
Viruses are harmful malicious programs that are intended to cause damage to your computer, and, overall, havoc. They are something that you should take all steps to avoiding. One single virus can take your entire system down, and take all of your data with it.

Spyware refers to a program that has the intent of gathering your personal information, and using it for marketing/soliciting purposes. Spyware can collect a number of things, but are not limited to: phone numbers, email addresses, bank cards, Social security numbers, information about your bills, and much more.
Spyware can be dangerous, since it can be used to collect bank card information. Its not safe to use online shopping without good spyware protection.

Adware refers to a program that displays advertising on your computer. One very common adware program is the one that comes with Kazaa, which displays popups while Kazaa is opened. Adware such as this is called a "bundled software".
Adware isn't always bundled with software, sometimes, it is "sneaked" onto your system by other means. Though this advertising doesn't necessarily steal your information, it is certainly a nuisance, and a waste of bandwidth.
Some people just assume that popups or messages they are seeing such as:
CLICK HERE FOR A FREE iPOD!"

are from the website they are viewing, but, there is a good chance its from adware.

Adware and spyware are sometimes referred to as "grayware" simply since their intent is not to cause harm to your system, but to make money for themselves. They are not malware.

Malware or not, all of these programs will do the following for sure:
Slow down your system
Slow down your internet
Make the overall computing experience worse.

Solution:
Please see the following ComputerHope document virus, spyware, and adware removal: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,16182.html

I also, like the last QA thread of mine, realize that this was a very round-about way to go on describing this topic, but I believe it will be more useful to someone who is not a computer expert.

Please feel free to reply with questions or comments.
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