Cursor freezes and blue bars at top of window dim

When I'm online and trying to type an email or type something in the search
window, my computer will freeze for a minute and the blue bar across the top
of the window will dim just a bit and the cursor freezes and I can't continue
typing. When I click where I was typing, all returns to normal. Around the
same time this started, several poker web site icons started appearing on my
desktop so I'm assuming it's related. I have no idea how they got there. I
run and update 3-4 different ad-ware removal programs daily, checked for
viruses, etc. but this problem still occurs. Any ideas how to resolve it?
Using Windows XP on a Compaq Presario. Thanks