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CIA-PROVEN ANTI-SPYWARE TECHNIQUES
In order to remove the spyware that programs such as these install, you must use specially written spyware removal programs. So the removal must be done after the fact, and according to somebody's rule as to what "spyware" is. This definition may be fuzzy. If you are a direct mail marketer wanting information on your "client's" browsing habits, you would not consider this spyware. The most complete list of spyware I have seen is at http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.htm If there is ever a question about a program being spyware, I usually head straight to this site and do a lookup on it. I have a good discussion of spyware, scumware, adware, here. Here is another very good guide. DSLreports has a very good FAQ on trojans if you think your machine is now owned.
Ad-aware is the most popular spyware removal program. You can configure it to run at startup of your PC, and you can also run it in exhaustive mode as well as quick check mode. Ad-aware has a good track record, and the basic software is free. Like Zonealarm, there is an advanced version which allows a lot more control, including pop-up protection. PestPatrol is another choice receiving some attention. Pestpatrol actually claims to watch real time for spyware and remove it. This may be possible, but the program uses system resources, and has to continually check "home" for a listing of the latest spyware. I think it is better just to run the spyware removal tool occasionally, such as at PC startup, and practice all the other safe computing measures in the meantime [IMHO]. Spybot is becoming a very popular spy removal tool. It is a much more complicated piece of software. I believe it does a better job than Ad-aware, but this may be at a price.
Please be aware that these tools are not 100% effective. You can run them many times, and they still may not be able to remove some versions of scumware and spyware. This means that the scumware and spyware black hat writers are a little ahead of the white hats! That is why I recommended in the initial page that you may very well just have to begin all over again with a clean reinstall of Windows.
Please beware that the basic offerings are free, but the vendors generally offer more fully functional programs, and you may have to wind your way around on their web site in order to find the basic free program. OTOH, you may wish to subscribe to some of the more full featured programs. This is all right, but some of these programs will tend to overlap. Zonealarm will scan for some viruses; PCCillin (Trend antivirus program) comes with a basic firewall component. McaFee will also provide virus and firewall capabilities. Same for Norton, now owned by Symantec. So you need to be careful. Too many of these utility programs on your PC can bog it down just as bad as all the spyware programs!!! Kinda reminds me of what Norton utilities can do to your PC!!
Update July 2004:
Here is a good link which describes the process to go through. As of summer 2004, you probably need to run Ad-aware, Spybot search and Destroy AND CWS to cover all bases!!
And be careful out there! Now it turns out there are "commercial firms" giving away antispyware software. And it turns out that they may remove a lot of antispyware, but they will install their own spyware! Real Nice, huh. This site tracks these scumbags! This one does also.
Stick to the two original, basic antispyware removal programs, which are also free, as well as being the most complete: Ad-aware and spybot search and destroy!
Update Feb 2005:
Microsoft has acquired an antispyware product, and is offering a beta version of it for free. Looks good, has auto update feature. Let's hope this pans out. Not sure how good it is yet!
Update Fall 2006:
There are just so many antispyware programs available now it is sorta depressing.... How do you decide which one to use? I still use Ad-aware and Spybot, along with the free Microsoft included version. Some of the antivirus swuites now come with antispyware capabilities. The free antivirus scan sites also offer to check and maybe remove spyware... Stick with the main ones like this. I am not sure I would download just any product!!