The following settings are more secure.

Internet Explorer
Start>Control Panel>Internet Options>Security>Custom Settings
Change the following settings:
Download Signed Activex Controls > Prompt
Download Unsigned Activex Controls > Disable
Initialise and Script Activex Controls not marked safe > Disable
Java Permissions > High Safety
The rest of the settings can be left on default.

After browsing click Tools>Internet Options and in the General Tab
Delete Cookies
Delete Files
Delete History

Fire fox
Has most of the protection already built into the browser.
After browsing click Tools>Options and clear
Cookies
History
Cache
Or you can set the Sanitize Settings in the Cache tab


Downloading
Spyware is also spread by downloading from not only suspect but bona fide sites too. It’s one way for a site to be financially supported. Everything that is downloaded should be scanned for viruses…and…scanned for spyware.

Spyware Detection
The following problems can be signs of spyware infecting the computer.
Unexpected modem dial out
Unidentified software in Program Files/My Documents/Desktop
Unknown Icons on the desktop
Slower internet access speed
Unknown pop ups and windows
Redirection from the site you are trying to access to another site

The following software is useful for deleting spyware after browsing and is free.
Lavasoft Adaware
Spybot:Search and Destroy
Microsoft Antispyware (beta)

What is a cookie?
It’s message given to a web browser by a web server. The browser stores the message in a text file. The message is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server. The main purpose of cookies is to identify users and possibly prepare customized Web pages for them.

Just to throw something else in:

use Opera.

Opera doesn't not allow anything to be installed, such as ActiveX or extensions, so can be brilliant for grabbing stuff off of the crack sites which are riddled with spyware. It is also free now, so no more ad banners!

let the browser wars begin!

I only use SpywareBlaster (free from JavaCoolSoftware), which is a blocker so no need to run lenghty scans -- you simply update it once in a while or let it update automatically, and it will prevent most spyware from being installed.

if you download lavasoft adaware, spybot search and destroy and microsoft anit-spyware along side with norton and mozilla firefox, youre computer will be basically impervious to spyware. no worries from there on out.

Another option, rather than deleting your cookies after each browsing session, since we doo have some cookies we would like to keep, is to set FF to assist you in handling them the way YOU want them to. Go to tools>options>privacy>cookies, and check "allow sites to set cookies", (the other box is optional, as the following method will allow you to prevent anything you don't want from being placed on your machine), and use the drop down box for "keep cookies" to select "ask me every time". What this will do is force FF to give a confirmation box every time a site trys to set a cookie. If it is a site you trust, or has passwords or preferences you would like to keep, select "allow" and check the box so FF will never ask about that site again. If it is a site you never want cookies from, select deny, and click the box. If it is something you want now, but not later, or if it is a site that forces you to have them enabled to use it, even though you don't want them, select "allow for session", and check the box if you feel so inclined. Session cookies are your friend. They allow the site to set cookies, making your visit easier in most cases, but after all browser windows are closed, they all disappear. If you make a mistake in your permissions, and say disallow cookies from a site, and have checked the box to keep that setting, you can easily remove FF's "memory" of that by clicking "exceptions", in the above menu, and finding the site in the list, and highlighting it, and clicking "remove site". FF will prompt you once again, the next time you visit the site in question. Cookie management is a pain in the ass at first, because the first time you visit a site, and it doesn't find any cookie, FF will ask. So be prepared for a long couple of days, but it will be worth it in the end, having made your cookie concerns placed squarely in your own hand. IE has this same feature as well, and I don't use Opera, but I'm sure it is capable as well.

But really really slow.



Accually, I went on a crack site with opera on a clean install of windows and I got riddled with spyware. Not in firefox though.

Opera is only open to 45 kinds of intrusions. IE is at 33000+. Firefox is succeptable to 4500+.

Spyware Blaster and Spybot will do nicely. More than that and you start running into redundancy errors and version conflicts. Update all once a week and you will be fine. And it never hurts to browse your Programs folder every once in a while to see if anything got through.

id go with that but ad hijack this! into the mix

Although not a spyware scanner, another very handy free tool is crap cleaner.

It removes tons of temporary files cutting down your scan time considerably.

From the website...
http://ccleaner.com/

CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. But the best part is that it's fast (normally taking less that a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware! :)

It can be downloaded here....
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

BLOODY HELL. well that works allright, you want to see what it's done to Ghostzilla™ lost all the images stored in memory lol sweet

I usee it too on occasion and find it usefull ...and also very configerable should you wish too kep certain files ...cookies etc :ssmile:

this was a great help i no longer get free ipod or party poker pop-up ads.

Thank YOu Faerie.

thanks

bloodphart for the link to crap cleaner

works well with windows vista too

good day all