Yahoo Adds Built In Anti-Spyware To Its Browser Toolbar
 

Yahoo Adds Anti-Spyware Feature to Browser Toolbar

SEATTLE - Internet media company Yahoo Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO - news) unveiled a feature on Wednesday for its Web browser toolbar aimed at making it easier for users to remove unwanted "spyware" programs that snoop on Web surfing habits and other activities.

Anti-Spy for the Yahoo! Toolbar, which is being released as a beta, or test, version, allows users to identify potentially unwanted software that creeps into personal computers.

Julie Herendeen, vice president of Yahoo's networking products, said that the anti-spyware features is the first offered by a major Web portal to a broad Internet audience for free.

"Spyware is a serious issue, Herendeen said, but did not give a date when the full release version of the toolbar with anti-spyware would be released.

After scanning a PC, a user has the option to disable, remove or keep spyware. Yahoo said its anti-spyware technology is based on Pest Patrol's software.

Yahoo's toolbar also features other tools such as a search window, a pop-up advertising blocker, bookmarks and other customizable features.