Adware can really be a pain : Adware

[topview]

Hi, I have found out if you have a good anti-virus program and firewall, most Adware and spy ware can't get on your computer, unless you just willy-nilly download free screensavers and other
free stuff to your computer. That is why the software is free.
So you will download their sneaky adware, as that is how they make $$$.

I have a website with many articles with video and up to date spyware news.If you can't get the info you need on this forum, then maybe you would like to read some of the info. on my website about it.
http://www.newsoftwaresite.com/a-s/index.php
Thanks and Good luck
Topview

[Driagan]

Anti-virus programs work alright, but they cannot catch everything. They operate by finding signatures of known virii, but it is very easy for a programmer to change the structure of a virii very slightly, thus having it still preform the same effect but not setting off any "red flags". The way anti-viruses work is also very ineffective by creating a wide range of finding different signatures that it sets off "false positives" on completely innocent programs. I am not saying you shouldnt have one, by all means, get one. I recommend that you do have one, just be smart about using it, dont let it lead you.

As for a firewall, you should defiantly have one of those, one that blocks both incoming and outgoing traffic is optimal. I prefer COMODO (free). I tried ZomeAlarm's free version, but it is a bit resource-intensive for me (and COMODO did better in leak tests than ZoneAlarm). A firewall will prevent unauthorized people/programs from attacking your computer (like, if you get a keylogger on your computer, it will prevent it from sending the logged keystrokes back to the server where someone is waiting to steal your information).

Theres no problem with downloading free software, you just have to be careful where you download it from. Do not just google free software and download the programs that are listed, instead go to reputable sources, like FileHippo, Download.com, PortableApps.com, or places that are really big-name free programs, like GIMP, Paint.net, Code::Blocks, Pidgin, etc. Just be careful where you get programs from (also dont trust program "awards"...see ). Also If you do want to download programs, use a virtualization-type program to test programs out (see next paragraph).

You should definitely have a program that allows you to run programs in a safe environment. If you have the Windows installation CD's (or you get a ISO from a torrent), you could install Windows into a virtual machine to test things out, thus completely protecting your OS. For a virtual machine i recommend VirtualBox. But, if you do not have the CD's and dont want to download the ISO's (or dont have the hard drive space to have an extra OS installed (should have at least 10 GB free...not that all 10 would be used by it)) there is another alternative: Sandboxie. Sandboxie is great, it allows you to run programs, and will not let them write anything to where they want to write, in the hard drive. It allows you to safely install and run programs without risking infection on your computer. Sandboxie is also free (well...sort of, it has a paid version that has a few extra features, but you can still use it for free).

One last thing. DO NOT use Internet Explorer. I would say that 90% of viruses/torjans/spyware/adware/etc. come from drive-by downloads, from Internet Explorer. A drive-by download is a download that happens when you visit a website, without any information to the user than the download has even happened. It allows websites to install that bad stuff on your computer. Instead, use a more secure web browser like Firefox or Opera.