I actually used to use this spyware combo in my old computer, and it happens to be a really good one. The main spyware program that you need to first get is called Spybot S & D, which is a free spyware blocker and deleter program. It's a very handy program, and it can be found at this address: security.kolla.de. You can download it for free, and it has some credentials, which is a plus. Then, the next bit to get to finish it off is the Spyware Blaster. Spyware Blaster is a free spyware install preventer, if you will. With the both of them, you get a pretty much unbeatble wall of spyware protection. The location of the Spyware Blaster is:www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html. Those two products actually work together, so it doesn't get much better.

Oh, and you can find different download sites for those, those just happen to be the main sites.

Where's your antivirus program though? You only mentioned two programs for spyware prevention/removal but nothing on the antivirus.

I have these on my laptop right now:

Grisoft AVG - antivirus
ZoneAlarm - firewall (this is a must these days)
Ad-aware - antispyware (detects and removes)
Spybot S&D - similar to Ad-aware
SpywareBlaster - spyware prevention

If you use SpywareBlaster there's really no need to use the Immunize feature in Spybot S&D since they should be included already ... and more

Stop using Internet Eplorer and u wont need Anti-Spyware programs.(most of the time). And watch where u go on the internet.

"Watch where you go on the internet", he says...

Rich.

No, but seriously, nowadays, it would seem rather difficult to actually "watch" where you go on the internet. Sure, you can adjust your internet settings, etc., etc., etc., but when you get to point of it, many sites and hackers have discovered ways to access your computer besides just having you watch where you go. A seemingly good, valid site could be infecting your computer or monitoring you via your computer. And while this isn't a large enough threat yet that it should be necessary for you to give your computer "vitamins" out the wazoo, you should very well be paying attention to any unsimilarities in your computer, as well as cleaning your computer as much as necessary.

This is what I have on my computer and is very safe. I rarely get spyware nowadays...

Firefox w/ Adblock (with filter) and No Script extensions
Ad-Aware SE (I rarely use it since I get no spyware)
Norton

Do not use IE. It sucks, period.

Well, I'm gonna have to disagree with you there. I've used solely I.E., except for when I was in Elementary school, where they used Netscape, and I still find Internet Explorer to be a really good tool. It has it's ups and downs, sure, but if you really have that much trouble with I.E., you should check to see if there is some other, indirect problem, that may perhaps be causing that.

Still, opinions to each their own... (or am I saying it wrong?)

use Ad-Aware, S&D is useless. If you have a firewall then you dont need zonealarm or trend micro (If you dont have a firewall vice versa). CCleaner is a good file cleaner upper and cleans out the registry too. It also allows you to control what starts up when windows starts up and lets you delete entrys or uninstall programs not shown in the uninstall menu.

Actually, Spybot S & D and Spyare Blaster are a good, useful combo, but I appreciate your "slight-mini-rant"...

However, I'm not saying Ad-Aware is bad, because I haven't used it as much so I don't know as much about it.

Adaware and Spybot combo is definately good. But I will suggest to add one more item in this list. That is Spyware Blaster, it will not search and destroy spywares but it will block them entering your computer at first place.

But the most important feature for not getting spywares is to use Firefox instead of Internet Explorer, you will surprise by seeing the result.

Well, my 1-2 punch is based on Spybot S&D as well, but in my case I complet the second strike with ad-aware, either way I've heard of spywareblaster before, so I'm willing to give it a try.

I also heard the Microsoft's Utility (I don't even know the name) is actually very good... anyone has a word on this?