Spyware is nasty software that downloads ITSELF and installs on your computer. If you've ever had the nasty MySearch bar appear in your Internet Explorer, yep you've got spyware. I just recently fixed a computer of a good friend of mine who will remain nameless (*COUGH - DANNY*) and he had 2,250 counts of Spyware on his machine!
Spybot Search & Destroy is FREE and it cleans up all the nasty stuff. After you cleanup, Immunize your machine to prevent more from being downloaded on your computer.
Side note *Make sure you download and install Service Pack 2 from Microsoft - it's crucial to your machine. Then download Spybot
To download Service Pack 2, go to Start, All Programs, and Windows Update.
Or go to Microsoft's website
CLICK HERE
To download Spybot S&D,
CLICK HERE