Support

If you can get it, here is an article that describes the process of getting Windows XP computer connected to the Internet without getting a virus or spyware:

http://www.sans.org/rr/whitepapers/windows/1298.php

Most of this you can skip as you are already connected to the Internet, however, they suggest you enable Windows Firewall on XP. I agree with this and suggest you follow their instructions for configuration and running Windows update.

Here are some reputable sites with free virus scanning:

http://www.clamwin.com/ (free software)

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ (free web scan)

http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/ (free web scan)

http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ (free software)

http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym (free web scan)

http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp (free web scan)

Hopefully, one of these will work for you. If you do find a virus, you might have to download removal tools to clean them. These are usually found on the antivirus vendors web sites. Since the virus/spyware may be blocking your access to those sites, you might have to download them from another computer.

As an alternative to the above, both Norton and McAfee offer paid virus removal support. At around $40, it's really not a bad price.

The following tools are all free for non-commercial use. Ideally, you will run all of these because none of them alone (or possible even together) can get 100% of spyware:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx (Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta)

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ (Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition)

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html (Spybot Search and Destroy)

I don't recommend using any other spyware programs at this time... Beware: many of the other programs you see for sale are scams.

If you have Windows XP, the firewall included with XP Service Pack 2 is pretty good, so you don't have to buy a firewall (but it won't hurt, either). If you don't have XP, you need a firewall. I recommend installing one of the excellent inexpensive firewall routers from Linksys (BEFSR11 is a simple model), NetGear  (DG834 should work) or other big name home networking vendor.

However, even with a firewall and antispyware, you still need antivirus software (and update subscription). Many Dell systems include Norton or McAfee antivirus. If your Norton or McAfee subscription is still valid, then I would stick with it - call the vendor for installation support if it won't work or update properly. Otherwise, I would recommend one of the subscription versions of McAfee (easy to get working smoothly, but a memory hog), the excellent and no-cost ClamWin or one of the free products discussed in this article: http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,113462,00.asp. ClamWin works well, but I can't say how good their virus updates are. I have read good reports about Grisoft's AVG Anti-Virus System.

At least once a week, run Windows Update and check to make sure your virus/firewall software is downloading updates.