Really important suggestion - Don't use any toolbars,  I don't care how safe you think they are.  More than half the computers I've worked on with spyware I traced back to a toolbar.

http://www.panicware.com  Are you fed up with Pop-Ups?  Well this is another one of those annoying things that you can get rid of and it's got a free version for people like me who hate to spend money, unless I have to.  However, I must admit whenever I see a program that looks like it took a lot to create it, I will send in the cash to upgrade it to the full version. 

Messenger Popup page  There is another type of Pop-Up that's actually called a Windows Messenger Service.  When windows first came out those of us Network Administrators loved this method of communicating with users on our network.  This was really great but since then e-mail and instant messenger has evolved to such a state we no longer need it.  Well some low down spammer said "hey, why not use the messenger service built into windows to spam everyone".  Microsoft does not turn this feature off as a default.  The University of Virginia published a page with instructions to help you do just that.

An interesting and important reminder.  Microsoft has a built-in firewall in XP.  Not the best but better than none.  So after shutting off the stupid "messenger service" above you still get pop-ups, well of course you say my port 139 firewall in XP.  However, it still is not as good as the free ZoneAlarm.

This program will clean all your cookies, cache and temp files and make your Internet tracks disappear.  When you see how great it works, come back and click on Logo above to purchase the full version.  This is a must have program, I highly recommend it.  Members have access to many more free utility programs.  

Note: Do not use Auto Install, unless you answer no to scan on startup.  I see that one of the problems with this is Xcleaner will auto scan every time you reboot.  This is actually a good thing but no one really likes it so I depend on your good judgment to manually scan every day or so but when you want to and not at every startup.  Click Here for Free Xcleaner, you have to enter your email address and they will send you a link to download.

Click Here to Download Free ZoneAlarm right now, don't wait.  An effective and easy-to-use firewall program, ZoneAlarm does a great job at keeping your PC safe from Hackers and a variety of security threats.  

Click Here to download Free AdAware from Lavasoft software.  This program will search your hard drive for Thousands of spy programs.  This is another must have Shareware program.  This program and Spybot continually beat each other out.  Therefore I now run both of these on my system.  As every program I try to find, it is free and as always I say consider a small donation to them.  This is another must have program, I highly recommend it.  

Click Here to download Free SpywareBlaster from Javacool software.  SpywareBlaster can help keep your system spyware-free and secure, and unlike other programs, SpywareBlaster does not have to remain running in the background.  As I am finding out I need a greater arsenal of weapons to defend my computer from these new Spyware programs.  Not only do I run the two programs above but I run this program and it prevents many of the Spyware programs from getting into my computer.  As every program I try to find, it is free and as always I say consider a small donation to them.  This is also must have program, I highly recommend it.  A little note I had to uncheck "Prevent Spyware Tracking Cookies" on my wife's computer so she could log into one of her games sites.  Remember sometimes you have to give up a little privacy to use some web sites.

Note: SpywareBlaster has a System Snapshot feature that will backup and restore important browser and system settings.  This is a great feature if you should become infected with spyware.

Note:  A suggestion, whenever you download any software and run it for the first time, run the update first.  I have found with most of these programs the downloaded program is rarely up to date.  

Click Here to download & start using HijackThis  I recently came across a Trojan that I couldn't delete.  This is the time to start using HijackThis.  It looks intimidating but there are lots of users out there willing to help.  Use this program and follow the instructions.  

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