I recently came across an article that anybody can send an email with some spyware in it. It was also stated that this spyware will install itself and then transmit a record of my userids and passwords to the sender of the spyware. I am scared of the info. I would be glad to know as much info on this subject as possible.

SpyBot S&D searches your harddisk for so-called spy- or adbots;
http://security.kolla.de/