lately, i've been trying to rid my computer of all spyware and other things that i don't need in my computer. Does anyone use a good program to help me get rid of these things? What is the best thing to do?

 

as of right now, i'm using xoftspy and spybot-search&destroy

 

try spybot..
u can get from download.com
or adaware..
get a firewall with popup blocker..
the msn messenger popup block is fairly good.. for regular popup
get zonealarm for more advance protection from malicious script.

 

if u still can't get rid of it.. it's time to format and reinstall window.

 

I used to have the same problem with my pc. I just stopped cruising the **** sites and I'm all good

 

LOL

 

i use mcafee.. its safe and sound... or better yet.. use redhat 7.0+

linux is spyware friendly.. ^_^

 

1) Get Avast antivirus, its free for personal use and is very good (Avast.com).
2) Stop using Internet Explorer. As an Alternative try firefox http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/.
3) install some spyware utilities like Adaware, spywareblaster, and Spybot.
4) Install a personal firewall like Zonealarm.

If you are using windows XP it has a nice feature called rollback (?) where you can put your system a few days or weeks back in time. If you have something very difficult to remove this can be helpful. XP also has a built in firewall that got ok in with SP2 patch.

 

For really tough spyware I use a combination of 3-4 programs.

Ad-Aware
Spybot S&D
Microsoft Anti-Spyware
Webroot's SpySweeper

All of these are good programs. Some will catch some things that others will not. So I usually use 2 at a time and if that doesn't work then I continue with the other two. The thing about spyware is that you have to be persistent because the companies that make the stuff sure are! That's is why I really like the Microsoft product. It is constantly working and it runs an automated check everynight at like 3 and reports on the stuff it finds so I can take the appropriate action. If fact since I have installed that program I haven't had a single problem with spyware.

You also may have to use a program called Cool Web Search Shredder (CWShredder) if the spyware you have is persistent and it is called Cool Web Search. If you are getting alot of browswer hi-jackers run Hi-JackThis! and post the log file info up. This will tell you or someone "in-the-know" what is attaching itself to your browser and then you will have the option to delete it. The thing with Hi-jack This is that it detects everything in IE that runs, good and bad so you don't want to delete everything.

Good luck....Stay Vigilant!