What works for me ...
Biggest threat is the "Windows anti virus" trojan, it changes names and ways it get in every other week.
It rode in on a Java hole about 3 weeks ago, Java put out two updates to fix it ...
Malwarebytes is an easy fix for it, if you don't have it installed and get this trojan you will need to boot into "Safe Mode" (turn on computer and start tapping F8) to install it.
The free version of Malwarebytes need to be manualy updated and run, but isn't that bad to do.
I do mine every other day.
http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol;1 Superantispyware is another good free antimalware program as is Windows Defender.
You can load as many malware programs as you like but you should only have one antivirus program running, I've seen some with two and three antivirus programs and start ups take for ever ...
http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10523889.html?tag=mncol;1http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx CCleaner work well, but you kind of need to know what your doing ...
http://download.cnet.com/ccleaner/Tool bars (Google, Yahoo, My Web, etc.) are a online and resourse hog, if you use them fine, if not goto "Add remove programs" in control panel and delete. For Vista/Win7 users goto "Programs & Features" in Control panel to uninstall.
Google tool bar sneaks in on Adobe reader and flash installs and have seen Yahoo on others ...I think Java ...
Google Chrome is a pretty cool browser, give it a try if your not already useing it ...
http://www.google.com/chromeInternet Explorer seems a bit safer now but if not set up right can be very slow.
Firefox is still, good with a few tweaks ...
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/When I got my Dell laptop it booted with 64 processes, after a fresh format and reinstall I'm down to 24 processes !
Most were Dell programs but some were Microsoft stuff I don't use (Silverlight, Live Essentals, MSN stuff).
If you do a "Control - Alt - Delete" ( in Vista/Win7 then select "Start Task Manager") and select "Processes"tab you can see whats running on your computer, then Google each process to see what it is. If unsure just leave it, if you know you don't need it uninstall it or goto Administative tools/Services and tell it to "Manualy" start instead of "Automatic" that way it's still there when you need/use program.
Any thing "Trial Ware" like Microsoft Office 30 day trial can be uninstalled to free up disc space.
HP/Compaq are the worst for trial ware stuff and processes running, I've seen new HP laptops booting with 84 processes...
Add a HP printer and bet you could top 100 precesses ...LOL
iTunes/Quicktme start with your computer, both can be taken out of start up and set to start when a app. needs them.
If your running Windows XP you need to "log in" if you don't, you have an "Administrative log in" and malware has an easier time getting in and messing stuff up, Vista/Win7 fixed the problem ...
Any thing you download from a file sharing program (Bearshare, Limewire, Kazaa) should be scanned before exe./playing !
Apple/Mac users quit laughing ...