For blocking spyware i recommend www.pestpatrol.com ($) or spybot search and destroy
http://security.kolla.de/ (free).
Pestpatrol is a little more comprehensive, but spybot is free and does a great job of removing approx 5000+ spyware components.
It also blocks popups now with the latest release.
Check it out.
Also for a quick web based assessment of spyware and cookies on your machine i recommend
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/ It will only scan windows / I.E. 5.0 and greater but it's a nice way to determine quickly if you have to take action.
Can i get a "i hate spam" amen?