Try Ad-Adware SE. Its the best I've found so far. Finds 100x more crap hidden on your computer than XSOFT for which I paid for :-(.
1. Use Mozilla Suite or Firefox as a browser.
2. If you insist on using IE, download and install the Google Toolbar.
3. If you are using AOL, find something else since they send advertisments to you. Remember the one thing missing from AOL is the "H" between the A and the O.
4. Download both Spybot and AdAwareSE and install them. No single Spyware Cleaner will clean everything.
5. Download and install a free firewall like SygatePE, my favorite since you have more control over stuff than Zone Alarm free.
To get rid of anything you may already have, go first to Start>Run and type msconfig. Then clcik on the Startup Tab and look for any entries that may have Search in it and uncheck it.
Next go to the Add/Remove Programs section of the Control Panel or Download and install the trial version of ADD/Remove Plus and look for SeachBars or stuff like Bargin Buddy and uninstall them.
Finally get a copy of CoolWebSearch Shredder and run it. Then run your spyware cleaners to get rid of anything that is left.
As a final note, get use to closing any Pop-Ups you get by using the Alt-F4 method instead of clicking on the Pop-Up Ad's closer.