Spyware Removal
Spyware Removal can be a complex task.
The first step you could do is to just remove whatever package you installed that brought it to you. This would require that you knew what you had installed. Sometimes this isn't so easy. But to remove a toolbar or a program is a normal process we've all gone through. To remove a toolbar, you remove it from the toolbars menu in IE. To remove a program, you remove the program from the control panel called "Add/Remove Programs."
However, because of the Windows Registry, you'll want to remove any records for this spyware from the registry; this, again, can be a formidable task. The registry is convoluted and huge. And the places to change are not well-marked. If you decide to go down this path, Microsoft has written a helpful article on doing this; please make sure to back up your system. And remember, the registry holds all sorts of commands and information on your system. If you make a mistake, it would be easy to have to reinstall windows completely. A hard price to pay for a fouled up Spyware Removal.
Because of these two problems, finding out what spyware to remove and finding all the pieces of the spyware for removal from the registry, this is excellent work for your computer. After all, the computer got you into this mess, the computer should get you out.
Fortunately, there is software available
AdWareAlert
Adware Alert provides a free scan, so you can see the depth of your problem before your purchase their package. It's what my computer friend turned me on to. It did an excellent and thorough job with removing all the pieces from my hard drive and registry.
XoftSpySE Anti-Spyware
XoftSpySE completely scans your hard drive, running processes and registry. It has one of the largest spyware definition databases around, and it's fast.
Spyware Nuker
You can try out Spyware Nuker's program for free. They believe in it that much. They're trying to keep you from losing your job or marriage because of spyware.