[dts32041]

Yes but it should be used with Ad Aware, a good anti virus program (updated at Least once a week) and a firewall.

[Terpfen]

Firewall; built in to my DSL modem. Virus scanner; AVG Anti-Virus 6.0.

[sinkspur]

Ad-Aware is fantastic. And it's free.

Run it once a week and you think you've got a new computer after running it.

All this spyware slows down an older computer significantly.

[xrp]

Yes but it should be used with Ad Aware, a good anti virus program (updated at Least once a week) and a firewall.

Any ports open on that firewall? Ever load Java or ActiveX? BAM, right through the firewall ;-)

[robertpaulsen]

Also, run Spider to delete your Internet Explorer index.dat file which contains the sites you visited.

[FreedomPoster]

Agree with all of that. My security summary:

1) updated MS patches on OS and IE
2) regularly updated anti-virus software and definitions
3) hardware router on Internet connection
4) Spybot Search&Destroy and Lavasoft Ad-Aware updated and run, preferably weekly, but at least bi-weekly
5) Google toolbar, high privacy install, to block pop-ups. (603 and counting)
6) never open suspicious email attachments (just about any *.exes, no matter who from)

[newgeezer]

Yes but it [Spybot] should be used with Ad Aware

How does Ad-Aware compliment Spybot? I've been led to believe that'd be like saying although you have a Corvette, you really need to keep a Camaro close at hand to make sure you get around the racetrack.