gunner, this
http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-623...sageID=1631161
is a very good thread to read abt computer utilites to download
to summarise:
Lava Soft Adware
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10...age&tag=button
a brilliant free anti spyware and adware program. a must have.
Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Searc...ml?tag=lst-0-2
a popular tool from detecting and removing adware and spyware, note it is useful to have both this and adaware running
spamihilator
http://www.spamihilator.com/download/index.php
Spamihilator works between your E-Mail client and the Internet and examines every incoming E-Mail. Useless spam mails (Junk) will be filtered out. This process runs completely in the background.
task manager
this nifty little program will show you exactly what is running on your computer, in the fore and background, windows doesn't display everything...
http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager)
there is some good stuff on here as well
http://ultimatebootcd.com/