You always need a multi layered approach when it comes to keeping spyware off your computer.

It does help but FF isn't perfect either.

Neither is switching to a Mac since there IS some spyware out there for that too, just not as much. For REAL protection, go linux.

Normal maintenance

Run regular maintenance on your PC...just as you would keep your house clean, your PC runs better when it's organized as well.

1) Use Disk Clean up and get rid of unneeded files. Compress old ones

2) Go thru your Add/Remove program and get rid of anything you haven't used lately, esp if you have the disk for it and can reinstall it or download it at a later date should you decide you want it again. Just letting it sit on your hard drive taking up space is ridiculous if you aren't using it.

3) Run the Disk Defrag on a periodic basis. If you have Norton Systemworks, set it up so that you can see how degragged your computer is and let it tell you when to defrag.

4) Remember to do a drive check every so often. You do this going to MY COMPUTER then SELECT YOUR DRIVE(C) right click it and go down to PROPERTIES on the pop up box select the second tab along TOOLS and click the top box CHECK ERRORS NOW.

And then ALWAYS. ALWAYS download and install any Critical Updates that Windows lets you know about. If you don't have your configuration set so that it will tell you and you aren't in the habit of checking periodically (like every other day) then set it so that Windows WILL let you know there is a Critical Update. This step is an absolute necessity.

Then go and download these FREE programs:

1) Ad-aware SE (removes all adverts and ad self launch programs,feed up with pop ups get it)

2) Spy-bot (same as ad-aware but always better two have two in this case because they'll double check everything)

3) ewido security suite Ewido Security Suite is a supplement to your current Anti-Virus Program.
NOTE: It will only work on Win2K and XP systems.

4) Windows® Defender (Beta 2) For anyone with Windows 2000 Service Pack 4; Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1; Windows XP Service Pack 2. There is a 64 bit version available.


5) A˛ Free For trojan removal/scanning.

6) SpywareBlaster 3.5.1 SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from ever being installed.

7) SpywareGuard 2.2 SpywareGuard provides a real-time protection solution against spyware that is a great addition to SpywareBlaster's protection method.

An anti-virus program scans files before you open them and prevents execution if a virus is detected - SpywareGuard does the same thing, but for spyware! And you can easily have an anti-virus program running alongside SpywareGuard.

Then make sure you have an anti-virus and firewall. And as usual, the best ones we recommend are free ones.

These companies also have paid versions:

8) AVG free
Avast Home Edition
Antivir

Free Firewalls

These companies also have paid versons:

9) Zone Alarm Free


Popup Blockers:

10) Ad & PopUp Tools My personal OLD favorite is POW.

IF you MUST use a toolbar, use google and google ONLY. It is the ONLY one we have found that is clean of Spy-Adware totally. There is a version for Firefox.

11) For paid A/V programs,

Norton 2005
Panda Titanium
AVG 7
NOD32 Antivirus System

12) Paid Firewall:

Norton 2005
ZoneAlarm Pro

13) Paid Security Suites:
ZoneAlarm Security Suite 5.5
AVG Plus Firewall Edition (this is what I use)
BitDefender 8 Professional Plus
F-Secure Internet Security 2005
McAfee Internet Security 2005 7.0
Norton Internet Security 2005
Norman Internet Control 5.7
Panda Platinum Internet Security 2005
Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2005

14) For making copies of your hard drive (good if you need to transfer your hard drive contents or if your hard drive keeps crashing.:

Norton Ghost

Drive image (a software program that makes a up to date recovery point separate from system restore,good if you know your computer keeps crashing)

15) For fixing Registry and disk problems:

PC Bug Doctor (corrects many problem but not deep registry ones)

PC Doctor Oncall does full system check fixes almost any problems)

Ashampoo WinOptimizer Platinum Suite 2 (Drive Cleaner, Registry Cleaner, Internet Cleaner, DLL Cleaner, Internet Tuner, StartUp Tuner, File Wiper, and File Associator. Free up valuable space on your hard drive. Speed up general system performance.)

Norton Systemworks 2005
wilders.org security advisors
For a good listing of all this, go to: wilders.org security advisors

Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:

1. Use an AntiVirus Software - It is very important that your computer has an anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future.
   
   See this link for a listing of some online & their stand-alone antivirus programs:
   
   Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection and Removal Resources
   
   
2. Update your AntiVirus Software - It is imperitive that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.
   
   
3. Use a Firewall - I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. I am very serious about this and see it happen almost every day with my clients. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.
   
   For a tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:
   
   Understanding and Using Firewalls
   
   
4. Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently - It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.
   
   
5. Install Spybot - Search and Destroy - Install and download Spybot - Search and Destroy with its TeaTimer option. This will provide realtime spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software.
   
   A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
   
   Using Spybot - Search & Destroy to remove Spyware , Malware, and Hijackers
   
   
6. Install Ad-Aware - Install and download Ad-Aware. ou should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software in conjunction with Spybot.
   
   A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
   
   Using Ad-aware to remove Spyware, Malware, & Hijackers from Your Computer
   
   
7. Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will added a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.
   
   A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
   
   Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware
   
   
8. Update all these programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.
   

Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.

This advice is reposted from the advice given by Tony Klein, the acknowledged spyware & malware expert who supports many forums on the net.

You usually get infected because your security settings are too low. Here are a number of recommendations that will help tighten them, and which will contribute to making you a less likely victim:

1) Watch what you download!
Many freeware programs, and P2P programs like Grokster, Imesh, Kazaa and others are amongst the most notorious, come with an enormous amount of bundled spyware that will eat system resources, slow down your system, clash with other installed software, or just plain crash your browser or even Windows itself.

2) Go to IE > Tools > Windows Update > Product Updates, and install ALL Security Updates listed.
It's important to always keep current with the latest security fixes from Microsoft. Install those patches for Internet Explorer, and make sure your installation of Java VM is up-to-date. There are some well known security bugs with Microsoft Java VM which are exploited regularly by browser hijackers.

3) Go to Internet Options/Security/Internet, press 'default level', then OK.
Now press "Custom Level." In the ActiveX section, set the first two options ("Download signed and unsigned ActiveX controls) to 'prompt', and 'Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe" to 'disable'.

Now you will be asked whether you want ActiveX objects to be executed and whether you want software to be installed. Sites that you know for sure are above suspicion can be moved to the Trusted Zone in Internet Option/security.

So why is activex so dangerous that you have to increase the security for it?
When your browser runs an activex control, it is running an executable program. It's no different from doubleclicking an exe file on your hard drive. Would you run just any random file downloaded off a web site without knowing what it is and what it does?

And some more advice:

4) Install Javacool's SpywareBlaster!
Download it here. It will protect you from all spy/foistware in it's database by blocking installation of their ActiveX objects. Download and install, download the latest updates, and you'll see a list of all spyware programs covered by the program (NOTE: this is NOT spyware found on your computer). Press "select all", then "kill all checked", and you're done. The spyware that you told Spywareblaster to set the "kill bit" for won't be a hazard to you any longer. Although it won't protect you from every form of spyware known to man, it is a very potent extra layer of protection. Don't forget to check for updates every week or so.

Let's also not forget that SpyBot Search and Destroy!
Download it here. SpyBot S&D has the Immunize feature which works roughly the same way. It can't hurt to use both.

5) Another brilliant program by Javacool we recommend is SpywareGuard.
Download it here. It provides a degree of real-time protection solution against spyware that is a great addition to SpywareBlaster's protection method.

An anti-virus program scans files before you open them and prevents execution if a virus is detected - SpywareGuard does the same thing, but for spyware! And you can easily have an anti-virus program running alongside SpywareGuard. It now also features Download Protection and Browser Hijacking Protection!

6) IE-SPYAD
Download it here. This puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone, so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all.

7) The IE hosts
Download it here. This program file blocks ads, banners, cookies, web bugs, and even most hijackers. This is accomplished by blocking the Server that supplies these little gems. Example - the following entry 127.0.0.1 ad.doubleclick.net blocks all files supplied by the DoubleClick Server to the web page you are viewing. This also prevents the server from tracking your movements. It now includes most major parasites, hijackers and unwanted Search Engines! In many cases this can speed the loading of web pages by not having to wait for these ads, banners, hit counters, etc. to load.

This also helps to protect your Privacy by blocking servers that track your viewing habits, known as "click-thru tracking".

However as time has progressed the focus of this project has changed from blocking ads/banners to protecting the user from the many parasites that now exist on the Internet. It doesn't serve much purpose if you block the ad banner from displaying, but get hijacked by a parasite from an evil script or download contained on the web site. The object is to surf faster while preserving your Safety, Security and Privacy.

Incidentally, another site with an enormous amount of nformation on computer security, and which is well worth a visit is Wilders.org.

Finally, after following up on all these recommendations, try running Jason Levine's Browser Security Tests. They will provide you with an insight on how vulnerable you might still be to a number of common exploits.

If you are using XP or windows 2000 or 2003 then this application will also help a lot to prevent hijacking. Check out Prevx.com.

And make sure your Antivirus and firewall is switched on and kept updated.

How do I know so much of this? I do spyware removal in my spare time when I am feeling up to it but keep up with the latest. I am a member of ASAP (Alliance of Security Analysis Professionals). Liz