I'm setting up my spankin' new computer. So far I've downloaded AVG as my anti-virus solution, but I'm not sure which way to go for anti-spyware. [more inside]
posted on Feb 23, 2008 - 17 answers

What are effective anti-virus and anti-spyware programs that work in harmony? [more inside]
posted on Aug 24, 2006 - 17 answers

I love Firefox like the next guy, but I think it's popularity has killed off its best feature: ad/pop-up blocking. How do I make all the pop-ups stop? [more inside]
posted on Jun 22, 2005 - 11 answers

Ad-Aware. I use it. I love it. And it hath forsaken me. Now, every time I try to run it, it freezes on the the same CSLID key (that, inconveniently, I cannot copy or paste) when deep scanning the registry. Upon disabling the deep scan, it hangs on large files in the I386 directory. The forums at Lavasoft provided advice like, disable the deep scan, then try it again, which doesn't really help. Ideas? Google fu?
posted on Sep 19, 2004 - 6 answers

Help! I have run Adware and cleaned up my computer, but there is one thing stuck in my browser - one of those "we'll help you search!" things. How to get rid of something like this? I can't find it in the add/remove programs list, and Adware didn't come up with it. How to find it for removal? (Sorry, I am somewhat knowledgeable with computers, but not a whiz). This is Windows XP.
posted on Aug 19, 2004 - 16 answers

Something is royally screwed with my PC (Windows XP). I had some kind of spyware involving the file "bridge.dll", I found instructions online to get rid of it, but I still have problems. When I reboot, my Quick Launch toolbar is no longer there, and when I use the "Email", "WWW" and other buttons on my Logitech keyboard, it opens up 3 instances of the programs. Adaware and Norton Antivirus turn up nothing. Anything I can do?
posted on Jun 15, 2004 - 9 answers

As embarrassing as it is to confess, I am not very sophisticated with computers and technology. Recently my computer has become the eager droid of "purityscan," which (to my never ending frustration and dismay) opens a few hundred pop-ups per hour. I Googled for the best spy/pop up removal software, but I am unable to tell the good guys from the bad guys. I downloaded and ran "adaware" but now that they have identified "368 spyware components" on my computer they want $30.00 to remove them. I have no problem paying to end this problem, but I do not want to pay for dreck or pay evil extortionists who create the problem and then sell the solution. So: Which software is best, from an honest company, to fix this loathsome problem?
posted on Mar 5, 2004 - 19 answers

I've got some kind of adware on IE 6.0 that is putting hot links on MetaFilter and other pages for certain keywords, like "Photoshop" or "diamonds". The links lead to search engine websites. It is really gumming up the works. I've tried Spybot but that didn't remove it. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.
posted on Jan 27, 2004 - 7 answers