What's Worse? A Virus, Hackers or Spyware?

There's a good question.

A Virus, Spyware, Adware are all bad news for any PC. A recent study shows a "naked" (read no anti-virus, anti-spyware or adware and firewall ect.) gets something in a mere 12 minutes. In any case by the time you figure out there's a issue its just too late.
So are you already halfway to the store to get your all inclusive "fixes everything" 30-60 dollar solution? Don't go just yet....

Have a plan!
Just because Its on the shelf does NOT make it the solution.
I have some reccomendations for you that work fine you can get right now for free and a few links to more facts and info.

Spyware/Adware:
Spybot™ My all time favorite works super and even watches for issues in realtime.

Adaware™ The first freebie I ever used for spyware its good.

Microsoft AntiSpyware™ Still in beta, I use it beside spybot but only run one realtime scanner either Teatimer™ (Spybot™) or the one in Mcrosofts product.

Its not a bad idea to have 2 installed and ready to scan for a problem sometimes or program will find what another won't...

Anti-Virus:
Grisoft AVG Free™ I always reccomend this to someone that just can't keep up with updates, most just won't pay for updates this one solves the problem and works well.

AVAST™ no this has nothing to do with pirates but will get you out of a jam with nasty viri. Many IT types use this because of regular updates and versitility in scanning. see the web link its cool.

UPDATE

AntiVir™ This is a free version too! AntiVir Personal Edition offers the effective protection against computer viruses for the individual and private use on a single PC-workstation.

Trend Micro™ Maker of PC-cillin™ Visit this site these guys make one of my favorite not for free scanners and theres some free tools here too.

Computer Assoc No freebies here but I trust CA over anyone for my system and you get 30 days to try em Also if you are a Time Warner™ customer you may be able to get EZ Armor™ free "firewall & Anti-virus".

Firewall:
Whats a firewall? Let's say you owned a wherehouse on the corner of B&E boulevard and Larsony Lane, Imagine lots of windows at ground level to peek at all your private cool stuff now some bad guy is just a tap on the glass from cleaning you out! A firewall is the bars on the windows with the ability to give whom ever YOU choose personalized keys to open them...
If your saying "why do I need one now?" Just imagine if I was sitting here at home now looking at anything I wanted on your PC, trust me its easy to do and there is bound to be something on it you don't want to share. The moral of this story is unless your on dialup still download a firewall now.
Note: Windows XP SP2 has a basic firewall already.

Zone Alarm™ Its free and I like it plus it has a feature thats like a panic button just click the padlock to seal off internet access instantly.

Kerio Personal™ Free go see, same idea as above.

Pop-ups:
Google™ toolbar I'm not big on toolbars I think most are ad-driven security hazards but Google gives you decent pop-up protection. Understand most pop-ups are from existing Adware that you most likely removed already. I still think Google's bar its cool.

Also on the pop-up thing it important to note both Firefox & Opera brousers automatically resist them too.
Watch later for my Brouser post comming soon!

Here's some other sites with loads of data on these things PC World has a great list for most of what we covered. The Brits love The Register new and exciting virus headlines. Most other companies also have descriptions and news on what they do.
Lastly, If its a pop-up telling you theres a problem with your PC like "WARNING YOUR PC IS INFECTED or UNPROTECTED" be afraid VERY afraid do not press that pop up just close it. (use ALT-F4) Any program you installed may also open a dialog window "this is the exception to above rule" but if you are not sure just close it.

Good luck, post some questions and I will help if I can.