Spyware removal and prevention software

For protection my choice is Microsoft Anti-spyware. For troubleshooting and cleanup I use a number of tools, but the top three antispyware removers I use are: Spybot Search and Destroy; Lavasoft's Adaware, and the MS program.

I currently install Microsoft's beta anti-spyware on each PC I touch for service, and on any new PC I setup. The major reason for this choice is that it has built-in scheduling of updating and scanning. A great program like Spybot doesn't help as much over time since the updates are manually driven. Experience shows that you cannot rely on users to do updates on their own!

Unfortunately there is no single program that catches and deals with all threats. That's why I use several when I'm doing a cleanup. Invariably, one finds and removes things that others miss. Over time I've tried many other products but routinely use the big three: Spybot, Adaware, and MS Anti-spyware. I'm always looking for new and better tools, so speak up if you have some experience to add here.

(This was copied from my Blog on Spware and security issues)
Spyware and other computer security issues