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"How does one's computer get infected with spyware to begin with? Inquiring minds want to know."

By surfing to unsafe/compromised web pages, by installing "free" software that includes spyware, often termed "value added products" in the install, by involving oneself in certain chat systems and communities, and by opening emails from unknown / untrusted sources. Most of this can be avoided by abiding to the very most basic of safe computing practices and even basic antivirus and anti-spyware applications, many of which are free. Some of the other posters to this thread have already provided some great links to additional information, and if you need more please let us know :-)

Drive by installs are one way. You know those annoying pop-ups that ask if you want to install, say, Turboloader? You get the three choices of 'yes' 'no' and the little 'x' on your browser. Some pop-ups are set so clicking ANY of the three will install their crap.

More popular way to get spyware is by downloading "free" software. The price of the free software is almost always going to be spyware that, once installed, installs even MORE spyware. The old saying that nothing is free is still true.

Pop-up blockers are notorious for actually being spyware! So are 'toolbars'.

Best advice is to avoid "free" software wherever it is found.

It's almost impossible to avoid spyware if you go anywhere at all on the internet. Most is fairly mild and is intended to help send advertisements your way that fit your browsing habits. But some are much greater threats. Browser Hijackers are particularly irritating and unwanted. They steer you where you don't want to go when you're on line.

The worst I've seen yet is a form of a Trojan recently pushed on the unsuspecting that does not take the form of a virus, thereby avoiding virus scans of web pages. It installs software on your machine which works on lengthy connections like DSL and Cable. When the computer is idle, the Trojan goes out and "invites" endless numbers of malware to load on your computer. You can imagine the horrific results. It hooks in very deeply and is very hard to get rid of because it rebuilds itself every time it's removed and you re-boot.

The program, GIANT Antispyware (mentioned before) allowed me to recognize it's presence. Getting rid of it was much tougher, requiring work in the registry and more. This one was invited in by simply clicking on the word "NO" when a window popped up warning of unauthorized file download. It looked exactly like the Windows security warning window. I should have hit the "X" in the upper right corner, but wasn't thinking. Public flogging would be appropriate for the jokers that write this stuff.