Spy agent detection and removal

I was wondering if there was a way to detect and remove a spy agent or any other spouse type spyware on a home computer....I also heard that there were types that are web based and not actually installed on the computer but activity is monitored....Is there a way to block that type of program from tracking im's or key strokes or e-mail...Thanks

 

First please get Spybot S&D to clear out most of the spyware.

Short tutorial and download link here:
http://tomcoyote.org/SPYBOT/

Fix everything SpybotSD labels in red.

Then after reboot:
Download 'Hijack This!'. http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/
Unzip, doubleclick HijackThis.exe, and hit "Scan".

When the scan is finished, the "Scan" button will change into a "Save Log" button.
Press that, save the log, load it in Notepad, and copy its contents here. Most of what it lists will be harmless or even essential, don't fix anything yet.
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