Spyware is normally installed through either one of two common methods. The first is to hide a spyware component within an otherwise apparently useful program. Often, the program containing spyware is made available for download free of charge, so as to encourage wide uptake of the spyware component. The second common method is to take advantage of security flaws in Internet Explorer.

This guide will help you get rid of all the spyware and adware on your computer.

Important Tips:

• Never download free smile icon programs, screen savers, fun cursors, graphical skins for Internet Explorer, search toolbars, or peer-to-peer file sharing programs (such as Kazaa or Morpheus).
   
• Think before you click.  Do not always click ‘yes’ to web alerts while browsing the Internet.  You could be agreeing to install unwanted programs. 
   
• If you have previously installed any of the previously mentioned software programs, consider uninstalling them. 
  [To Uninstall: Click the Start Button > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs.  Find the program you want to delete, and click 'remove.']
   
• Browse the list of applications in the ‘Add or Remove Programs’ control panel.  If any programs look suspect, consider removing them.  Below you will find a link to all spyware programs.  If you are unsure a program is spyware, use the list to correctly identify any spyware programs.
  [Link: List of spyware programs]
   
• After you remove potential spyware programs from the Window’s Add and Remove control panel you may still encounter problems.  Try to identify the program, by name, that is causing excessive pop-ups.  Perform a Google Search for: "how to remove blank" (fill blank with the name of the program).  In many instances you will find easy instructions for removing the program from the Google search.  Please remember that free downloadable ‘search toolbars,’ ‘smiles,’ ‘screen savers,’ and ‘internet explorer skins’ are almost always spyware programs in disguise.  Remove these kind of programs.
   
• Download and Install Spyware Sweepers.  If you suspect your computer is infected with spyware (excessive pop-ups, weird hyperlinks, excessive ads on every web page, etc..); you can install a Spyware Sweeper.  These programs search your hard drive for known offenders, and attempt to disable them.  While they do not catch every instance of spyware, they are very effective.  We recommending installing more than one sweeper on your computer.  Two is better than one!   
  [Link: Spybot Search and Destroy]
  [Link: Ad-aware SE Personal]
  [Link: Microsoft AntiSpy]
  [Link: Spyware Removal for AOL Users]
   
• If you are running Windows XP, install the latest service pack.  The latest service pack corrects many errors that allow spyware programs to be easily installed.
  [Link: How to install service pack for XP]
   
• Download and Install Spyware Guards.  This is a preemptive step because these guards will not let additional spyware programs be installed.  They are known to catch many, but not all cases of spyware.  We provided links to two different spyware guards.  We recommend Spyware Blaster. 
  [Link: Spyware Blaster]
  [Link: Spyware Guard] 
   
• OPTIONAL After You Guard and Sweep your system for adware, you may consider adjusting Internet Explorer to block all automatic software installations from your web browser.  This step is recommended if many people use your computer, and you suspect they would click ‘yes’ to software installation alerts.  However, some ‘safe’ sites may not work unless you manually add them to the "Trusted Sites" in your Internet Explorer security settings.  More information is available on the Enough is Enough website.  
  [Link: Install Enough is Enough]
   

OPTIONAL Download FireFox.  This browser has been called better than IE by FORBES Magazine, and USA Today suggests it is the best protection against new spyware threats to your computer.  Click here or the button below to download.