See the AdAware/Spybot section below....
*** Good security housekeeping tips, in no particular order: ***
* See
http://securityadmin.info/faq.htm
* Go to
www.lavasoftusa.com and download AdAware...install, launch, update &
run it. This can rid your computer of spyware/adware. Also find SpyBot
Search & Destroy as it will sometimes find things AdAware doesn't, and vice
versa.
* Use antivirus software (
www.grisoft.com has a freebie) and update it
regularly - at least once a week; daily if possible.
* Use a good firewall to block access to your computer from the Internet
(
www.sygate.com is a decent freebie for a standalone workstation; hardware
appliances are a better choice for networks). For software firewalls, see
BlackIce or the freebie at
www.sygate.com - but you do get what you pay for.
For a good hardware firewall, see NetGear or Linksys or DLink - they all
make easy to use products, but make sure they're true firewalls and not just
NAT devices, as those are not going to stop anyone. Expect to pay about $80
USD for a good hardware firewall.
* Get a popup blocker to stop IE popups, such as
http://toolbar.google.com
which is also just plain useful in general.
* Run Windows Update regularly (
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com) to get
all the latest patches for your operating system.
* See
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm for lots of information on
browser hijacking and how to stop it
* Do not use Imesh or Kazaa any other peer-to-peer file sharing software,
ever.
* Do not use Hotbar.
