Pop - up's

Free pop-up blocker from www.panicware.com. Been using it for years. It's the same pop-up blocker that is built into the Google toolbar. Very nice product.
 
Use either Opera or Mozilla Browsers

Both of these alternative browsers have built in pop-up blockers and are free to download. Have been using them both for years. I like Opera best because it's the fastest browser out. I rarely use IE anymore, only as a last resort and that is very seldom lately.
 
pop ups

definition of spyware http://searchcrm.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid11_gci214518,00.html

sometimes a pop up blocker may not be enough. in addition to a pop up blocker i recommend having a program to remove spyware the 2 that i highly recommend are

webroot's spysweeper http://www.webroot.com/wb/products/spysweeper/index.php

spysweeper
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html

a free antivirus scan
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

i find the programs do a better sweep for is to update these programs and to run them in safe mode