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If you use Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher, you may not know that when you launch IE, special Browser Helper Objects ("BHOs") are being installed on your system that allow developers to customize and control the browser application. While there are good uses for some of these, others are "spyware," devised specifically to gather information on your surfing habits without your knowledge or permission. Another downside of BHOs is that, if poorly written, they can cause problems or crashes that are very difficult to diagnose.
A product called BHO Cop is available to help solve such problems. BHO Cop identifies the BHOs on your system and lets you diagnose and resolve conflicts by temporarily disabling them. For more information, and to download the product, go to PC Magazine's utility library at http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,270,000.asp
For some good background information on BHOs, see http://www.techweb.com/winmag/fixes/2000/1023.htm