So yesterday I was having some problems with my computer and I realized I had picked up some spyware somewhere.

I ran a whole bunch of different cleaning programs, even starting the computer in safe mode, and found some info online about how to remove stuff from the registry.

Overall, everything has been cleaned out and the computer is running smoothly again.

BUT, one think I still notice is that now when I do a Google search, there are Google Adsense ads at the top and bottom of my search pages that weren't there before. In fact, the layout of my search results pages is different. Rather than a few ads showing up on the right hand side, I have a big box at the top and a big box at the bottom with 3-5 ad results in each.

Is this still some kind of Trojan doing this? Has anyone heard of anything like this happening before?

As far as I know it's not doing anything other than being annoying, but I'd like to get it resolved if at all possible.

If this is on Windows, check your Add/Remove Programs tab in Control Panel for anything out of the ordinary like "search engine helper" or "toolbar enhancer."

If you're running XP, you can go to Start/Run and type MSCONFIG and check the startup tab for nasties.

I also like the free program "Hijack This" for those nastier spyware/virus/trojans. Just be careful.

If its a Mac, check your Main library (preferences) and Applications folders for anything out of the ordinary.

Hope this helps.

FYI, I found 2 free applications that are great in preventing spyware from infecting your computer--Spybot and Spywareblaster. You can get the free downloads here

http://www.spybot.info/en/download/index.html
http://www.download.com/SpywareBlaster/ ... 96637.html
*with the free version, you have to manually click on the check updates button, and download updates. Don't forget to immunize (spybot) and enable (spywareblaster) the new updates, once you down load them.

Another great tool is Winpatrol Scotty the watch dog

http://www.winpatrol.com/

You can download the free version. Once installed, the dog will actually bark an alert at you if some malicious ware is trying to load stuff on your puter and/or an attempt is made to change your registry. Good luck!

And of course Adaware by lavasoft, if you haven't already used it.