[backhoe]

Alternative browsers:
http://www.mozilla.org/
http://www.opera.com/

Free anti-viral protection:
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

Popup ad killers:
http://www.bayden.com/popper/

Close that Messenger in Windows XP:
http://grc.com/stm/ShootTheMessenger.htm

Spyware removers:
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?lang=en&page=download
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareblaster.html

Good for pre-screening & bouncing SPAM:
http://mailwasher.net/

Script Defender ( stop that nonsense from running unwelcome scripts ):
http://www.analogx.com/welcome.htm

Once you are certain- positive- you have a clean machine, either by removing the bugs, or a clean reinstall on a formatted drive, consider using a spare hard drive to make a mirror copy ( clone ) of your system. Most drive makers offer free drive-to-drive copy software on their sites, or Norton Ghost or xxcopy ( free ) can be used. You then remove the spare, date it, and set aside to swap out in an emergency.

[nopardons]

BTT