I've become very sceptical of freeware since reading about spyware etc. I believe there is no such thing as a free lunch and think that if it's free their must be something in it for them. . .. .Lets say for arguements sake, does Adaware remove all spyware except their own or perhaps does Webwasher install something that collates info on you and send it to some form of data base. . .. .I've installed web washer and during the installation it has detected my default e-mail address in OE. This is one reason why I set my default e-mail address to a fictitious one. .. .I know for a fact that MS can and does detect if you are using 'backedup software'. Fortunately the software they use to obtain this info is currently ilegal to use so no prosecutions could ever be made. This may explain why you need to register XP either by post or internet for it to work beyond a certain period.. .. .Anyway, to the point...Question for you boffins out there. Am I being paranoid?