While I too highly recommend Firefox (been using it for over a year) that alone won't help you if you're infected by spyware. You need to make sure your system is clean. Very likely your HOSTS file has been compromised and that will affect ANY browser.
I do computer repair work and I'd say that 70% of my service calls are spyware now
Adaware and Spybot have both been off my radar for 8 months. They just don't do the job anymore.
I run BHODemon first to "unhook" spyware from Internet Explore and Windows Explorer (otherwise every time you open an Explorer window you re-infect yourself). This is a common tactic used by most of the worst spyware. You clean it, then open My Computer or ANY Explorer window (even Control Panel) and get re-infected again (let me compliment Microsoft on their brilliant {sarcasm} decision to incorporate IE into the OS).
I would then use the Webroot SpySweeper if it's a Win98 system, or Microsoft's free Anti-Spyware if it's a WinXP system (MS Anti-Spyware won't install on a 98 system).
If it's a badly infected XP system I'd run both of them.
Either of these will also run in the background to protect you from SOME spyware infection (no stopping spyware if people are stupid though). SpySweeper is excellent but costs $29 a year. Microsoft's is free (for now) and is just as good (so far) as it's built around the very good Giant Anti Spyware engine.
Find your HOSTS file and make sure the ONLY entry is:
127.0.0.1 localhost
(any lines starting with a # sign are just remarks and are ignored).
Your HOSTS file is located here:
Windows XP = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Windows 2K = C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Win 98\ME = C:\WINDOWS
SCROLL DOWN through the HOSTS file to make sure there are no other entries!!! Many spyware add the entries after a long blank area in the file so you don't see it unless you scroll down.
If it's a really, really badly infected system I would run CWShredder and Trojan Hunter afterwards. Then re-check your HOSTS file.
As with all anti-spyware apps you should install them then reboot into safe mode and do a FULL scan from safe mode. Many spyware can't be removed or even detected if they're running in the background. Booting into safemode disables most of them except the nastiest crap (like CoolWebSearch and about:blank).
You can download all the tools I mentioned from MajorGeeks.com. They're all in the Spyware section except Trojan Hunter which is in the Anti-virus section. ALWAY download tools like this from a KNOWN reputable site - there's a LOT of fake or tampered anti-spyware utilities out there now.
You should also check for these fake services created by Home Search Assistant (CWS_NS3):
- Network Security Service
- Workstation NetLogon Service
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Helper
Check the spelling CAREFULLY. These fakes are designed to look like legit services. There IS a real Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service, it just doesn't say "Helper" at the end. If you find any of them, turn them off and disable them, then run an anti-spyware scanner again.
Hope this helps...