Here is the general breakdown of what you need for spyware security. The first thing you should have is a program that will do a deep scan of all system files and the registry to search for spyware and its related files. You should run this program at least once a week to purge the spyware from your computer. Our Software Review page will be helpful in deciding that. But there are other things that you should have to stay safe.

Security Tips

Real-Time Protection

You should have a program that constantly monitors all incoming files (even ones that you don't know about) and alerts you to potential problems. Now, this can be annoying sometimes if it attempts to block something that you want or need, but after a couple of weeks with the program, you will have most permissions set and it will do a good job of blocking the bad things (at least giving you that option) and allowing you the freedom you need. This is different from a firewall because it specifically checks the files that are incoming, while a firewall blocks the processes that obtain data or files. (A firewall won't check the files that you choose to download or that are put on your computer from a website, because a firewall allows freedom when surfing the internet.)
Two such programs are Spyware Terminator and Spybot.

Firewall

This is an indespensible part of spyware security. A firewall will protect all incoming ports and channels to make sure that nothing can force it's way into your computer. There is a firewall that comes with Windows, make sure that it is ON. If it isn't, your computer is wide open and won't even put up a fight if attacked.

For more information on this, look at our Firewalls page.

Internet Router

If you have broadband internet, you should never plug your modem directly into your computer. That is just beggin for trouble. Your computer would then have a constant, unfiltered connection to the internet. You would not be able to keep track of everything that your computer is doing or ever connection you make. Get an internet router, even if you just have one computer, and it can be a good filter to make sure that it rejects the kinds of incoming connections that can be dangerous.

Warnings

There is spyware that, if allowed to become entrencheted, can actually disable or alter your spyware scanning software to make it appear that the spyware isn't a threat and that it shouldn't be reported or removed. There is also spyware that is so deeply entrenchted in your system, that while it will be reported by your software, it cannot be removed by it because it's wrapped itself up in the operating system. At this point, it starts to overlap from mere spyware to a 'virus' but you can use the techniques on this website to stop it in its tracks. So just because one program didn't detect any spyware, it's best to use a couple to make sure your computer is clean.