I use Avast, Spybot Search and Destroy and Javacool Spyware Blaster.
Spybot & Spyware Blaster both immunize against known malware. I'd much rather have it stopped in it's tracks than try to remove it later.
This adware is out of control. About two years ago, my PC was infected with adware - ans whatever else it was capable of - and would pop up ads incessantly, even if I wasn't browsing the web. I'd be working on a spreadsheet, the speakers would come on - very loud - and a screen would pop up. I was treated to a ton of Viagra substitute ads, mortgage refinancing offers, get-rich-quick schemes, miracle diet pills, etc.
I tried uninstalling it, but it was set up to re-install itself whenever the computer was re-booted. It disabled my anti-virus software while it did this. It made sure to make the registry entry a random number to make it extremely difficult to get rid of. It took me over 16 hours to get rid of it.
I found the company responsible and - surprise - they had no phone number listed. I had a friend get the the home phone number of the president of the company and called him at 2am screaming and yelling. I demanded a check for $500. After 6 nights of this, he changed his phone number. I won't say what else I did, but I'm sure I scared the sh*t out of him. Rat Bas**rd MotherF**king Pr*ck!
And this was from a quasi-legitimate company. One with staff and offices, etc. But here is a clue - if your business model is based on hiding your software and making sure it cannot be easily uninstalled, then guess what? THERE IS NO DEMAND FOR YOUR SERVICE! NOBODY WANTS IT! If your business cannot have a phone number because you would be inundated with angry calls, then YOUR BUSINESS MODEL SUCKS!
And I didn't get this from an adult site or a pirate site. I simply mistyped the name of a well-known website and was taken to their site where the crap automatically installed itself.
OK.... Calming down....
Point is, with the software I mentioned, I have not had this problem again.
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