computer protection help

[350Xccelerator]

anyone know of a good program that deletes adware and spyware and all that junk? i want one that will erase all unwanted pop ups and will protect my computer, ive seen some on ebay but im not really sure which one i really need.

[trikerider2oo7]

to get rid of i use lavasoft adaware. to block i use spyware blaster. you can download both for free at http://www.download.com

[atctim]

I do this type of work for a living and I can tell you from experience that Yahoo Toolbar with Anti-Spy and Pop Up Blocker is the best. And it's free. It catches things that Adaware and Spybot Search & Destroy miss. Although the later two are good too.

Go to Yahoo.com and look at the extreme top right side of the page (that's where you'll find the download). Download it and off you go (be sure to unlock toolbars first or it won't install properly). I would also suggest ZoneAlarm as well. It is an easily configurable firewall that asks you when programs are trying to go online (ie transfer data either up or downstream), here's the link:

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp

[Howdy]

http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button

It really helps.
Howdy

[x.system]

Zone Alarm (free edition) is good but adware or spyware still gets past it. I use AVG Anti-Virus free edition and it runs a scan every day. You can set it to scan when your normally not on your PC. I have aslo tried Adaware and spybot search and destroy and have found AVG works better for me. I have not tried the yahoo toolbar but I havn't had any problems with my setup. The key is to keep it updated, which AVG does automatically. I'm no wizard with the pc but I know what works for my setup.

[TexFest]

Giant Antispyware recently acquired by Microsoft. It runs in your system tray and protects you, also it warns you when spyware or adware is trying to install so you can do whatever you like with it. Also it runs a spyware scan everyday.

I'm running Giant Antispyware right now before Microsoft bought it and it has been doing it's job very good. It is way better than Lavasoft Adaware and Spybot S&D.

Right now Microsoft has the Antispyware in beta right now but I don't know when it will come out of beta.

If you have Windows XP and you're going to download any kind of toolbar don't do it, that's what Windows XP SP2 is for.

[bigredhead]

SP2 sucks.. i regret installing it at home, causing more problems than it fixes.

ad-aware works good.

Delete all your temp files in explorer and cookies. run ad-aware.. reboot in safe mode.

then delete yoru recycle bin, temp files and cookies again.. reboot, run ad-aware one more time. and you should be fairly clean.

don't forget to go thru your " Add-Remove " in control panel and remove all the advertising crap you find in there.. atomic clock, Gator, AD-toolbar, etc etc etc..

[atctim]

What sux about SP2??????

It keeps the un-savvy safe. I've never seen any problems with it. Only good things.

[TexFest]

SP2 hasn't caused me any problems, if you don't like it, uninstall it.

[bigredhead]

- Blocked my PM's for starters.. and yes. i've " allow popup's from this site " now.
- Froze during install and caused me to have to format and re-install XP.
- Made my job a nightmare for a few weeks when 1st released LOL... ( i do tech support for a shipping company, that uses outdated 16bit software !!! )

But. hey.. if it works for you guys. rock on !