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I agree about Ad-Aware (that's a link to the latest retail version - older versions at download.com). It's a great product. I run it on all of my PC's once a month. My Norton Firewall settings block most such spyware and I don't install any software that I am not already pretty sure about, so I have never found any spyware on any of my systems. On the other hand, Ad-Aware has found and eliminated many spyware apps on machines belonging to my clients.

Before installing a program that you aren't sure of, go to SpyChecker or Tom-Cat.com Spyware List and search for the name of the product that you are going to install. You will be surprised at some of the names on the list. Notice that Aureate SpamKiller is on the list. Use iHateSpam instead. Also, CuteFTP is confirmed as containing spyware. Use WS_FTP instead. And it's not just small names either. Windows Media Player 7 and 8 (version 9 is under investigation), Windows XP Search Assistant, Lexmark Print drivers installation, Netscape 6 through 7 (only logs use of search button) and RealPlayer 7 are just a few of the big names that are known to contain spyware.

Good Luck.

..are just a few of the big names that are known to contain spyware.
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You seem to be very knowledgeable.
Is there some setting on your firewall that can prevent these from accessing the internet?
I use XP & Norton. I have it set so I have to give permission for each application to access the internet.
Also is there some setting that would notify you if your computer is downloading something?

Thanks a lot.

I started to get some "messages" from Realplayer, but I set my preferences to cancel that stuff. Would their spyware still be running, unbeknownst to me?