Several companies offer free and low-cost software that will check your computer for spyware and other unwanted software and help you remove it. I recommend Ad Aware Download it here it is free of charge and easy to use, the free version will not stop the spyware from being placed on your computer but It will remove it. I recommend running it once a week. If you want to stop it from getting on your computer you will have to buy the full version
Some Internet Service Providers, (ISPs) like Comcast include anti spyware software in their service packages. Check with your ISP to see if they can provide a tool.
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Use a firewall
While most spyware and other unwanted software come bundled with other programs or originate from unscrupulous Web sites, a small amount of spyware can actually be placed on your computer remotely by hackers. Installing a firewall or using the firewall that's built into Windows XP provides a helpful defense against these hackers.
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Update your software
If you use Windows XP, one way to help prevent spyware and other unwanted software is to make sure all your software is updated. Visit Microsoft Update to confirm that you have Automatic Updates turned on and that you've downloaded all the latest critical and security updates
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Adjust Internet Explorer security settings
You can adjust your Internet Explorer Web browser's security settings to determine how much—or how little—information you are willing to accept from a Web site. Microsoft recommends that you set the security settings for the Internet zone to Medium or higher.
To view your current Internet Explorer security settings:
- In Internet Explorer, click Tools and then click Internet Options.
- Select the Security tab.
For a step-by-step guide to adjusting your settings without blocking content from sites that you trust, see Working with Internet Explorer 6 Security Settings.
If you're running Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) and you use Internet Explorer to browse the Web, your browser security settings for the Internet zone are already set to Medium by default. Internet Explorer in Windows XP SP2 also includes a number of features to help protect against spyware and many other kinds of deceptive or unwanted software. Don't know which version of Windows your computer is running?
Which Version of windows do I have:
Right-click (with the right-hand mouse button) on My Computer. Click on Properties. A box will open up telling you what version of Windows you have.
If you can't find My Computer or can't get a box with a version to open from it, open up the Start Menu in the bottom-left corner of your screen, and open Control Panel. In there, open the item named System. A box will open up telling you what version of Windows you have.
Download and install anti spyware protection
Surf and download more safely
The best defense against spyware and other unwanted software is not to download it in the first place. Here are a few helpful tips that can protect you from downloading software you don't want:
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Only download programs from Web sites you trust. If you're not sure whether to trust a program you are considering downloading, ask a knowledgeable friend or enter the name of the program into your favorite search engine to see if anyone else has reported that it contains spyware
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Read all security warnings, license agreements, and privacy statements associated with any software you download.
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Never click "agree" or "OK" to close a window. Instead, click the red "x" in the corner of the window or press the Alt + F4 buttons on your keyboard to close a window.
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Be wary of popular "free" music and movie file-sharing programs, and be sure you clearly understand all of the software packaged with those programs.