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Excuse the boilerplate ( hattip: SWI forums )--

These are some recommendations that will significantly decrease the chances that you will have problems with malware in the future:

1) Regularly go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and download all the "critical updates" for Windows, including the latest version of Internet Explorer. This can patch many of the security holes through which attackers can gain access to your computer. You should also turn on the Windows automatic update feature.

2) In order to protect yourself against spyware, you should consider installing and running the following free programs:

Ad-Aware SE
A tutorial on using Ad-Aware to remove spyware from your computer may be found here.

Spybot-Search & Destroy
A tutorial on using Spybot to remove spyware from your computer may be found here. Please also remember to enable Spybot's "Immunize" and "TeaTimer" features.

Microsoft Anti-Spyware

SpywareBlaster
A tutorial on using SpywareBlaster to prevent spyware from ever installing on your computer may be found here.

SpywareGuard
A tutorial on using SpywareGuard for realtime protection against spyware and hijackers may be found here.

Keeping these programs up-to-date and running them regularly can prevent a great deal of spyware hassle.

3) Please consider using an alternate browser. Mozilla's Firefox browser is fantastic; it is much more secure than Internet Explorer, immune to almost all known browser hijackers, and also has the best built-in popup blocker (as an added benefit!) that I have ever seen. If you are interested, Firefox may be downloaded from here:
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

4) Also make sure to run your antivirus software regularly, and to keep it up-to-date.

5) Finally, consider maintaining a firewall. A good free firewall is ZoneAlarm.
A tutorial on understanding and using firewalls may be found here.

Please also read Tony Klein's excellent article: So how did I get infected in the first place?

Things you need(all FREE)
Anti-Virus
AVG

Avast
Firewall
Kerio(Direct Download)

Zone Alarm
Misc.
IE Spyads SpywareBlaster Spyware Guard
Windows Update
get all CRITICAL Updates

Things you want(Still Free)
Mozillia Firefox
Google Toolbar (stops pop-ups)
Ad-Aware
Spybot S&D
MS MVP Hosts file

Run a hardware firewall-- with today's LAN's, it's easy. You need a hardware firewall.

Dropping out of cut n' paste, lurk & link mode for a moment?

Some online scanners, like Ewido, also scan for spyware, and sometimes find what the more popular Ad-Aware or Spybot seem to miss.

I've used AVG on the home machines for a couple of years, but after a trial of Avast! found one .dll file AVG and all the online scans missed, I switched the main PC to Avast!

"While nearly 90 percent of computer users have software on their machines to protect them from malware like viruses, Trojans, worms and spyware, almost two-thirds of those users are reluctant to upgrade the software after it's installed."

I was going to make a wisecrack about how such people must vote the Democrat ticket. But, really, this study is talking about 50% of anti-virus users. Good Lord. Only a miracle can save us.

Oh, yes, update nightly and have auto update running on those programs that support it. This system is also fully patched. I still had a two bad trojans earlier this year. Am having good luck these days with Firefox with NoScript, NetVeda Safety.net firewall (excellent freeware), Ewido, and AVG. Thinking about Trojan Hunter and NOD 32.

Ok, I will preface this with - I am in IT, I am a programmer, I am not a complete idiot.

Having said that, you're probably going to think I'm an idiot. For years, all I've done is run my computer behind a router and use Norton antivirus. Well, that and update my computer with Microsoft Updates regularly. I've never had a virus...

When I installed Spybot and those sorts of programs, it brought my computer to a crawl and broke several of my programs. Perhaps my case is unusual, but it seems to work for me. I've just never understood why I would need a software firewall if I keep all my ports closed on my router? Maybe someone can explain that to me.