Of course, for better (than what I listed) privacy there's always the Tor Browser bundle https://www.torproject.org/projects/torbrowser.html.en (for sites where you're not using your personal login credentials, such as your bank) and using a VPN (in or outside of the US, depending on their data retention policies) http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2403388,00.asp

I also use Startpage.com instead of Google.com for web searches https://www.startpage.com with DuckDuckGo as the alternate https://duckduckgo.com/

I also use Riseup.net and VFEmail instead of Gmail or YahooMail.

And, I don't use Windows anymore (haven't in years).  I use Trisquel https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisquel which is one of many of the GNU/Linux and BSD distros available https://distrowatch.com/

Trisquel is one of the few that use entirely free(dom-respecting) software, no proprietary software.

Free software, free society: Richard Stallman at TEDxGeneva 2014


What some people do is put GNU/Linux on their old Windows PC if they've bought a new PC, to try the operating system out (it has lower system requirements than Windows, and you don't have to worry about adding firewall / antivirus / spyware remover software).  You don't have to pay for the operating system or any of the applications/utilities.  Usually I hear of them starting with LinuxMint https://www.linuxmint.com/

I'm a little out of date. 

What do you currently use for spyware removal?  Before it was Malwarebytes.  Then it was something like SUper AntiSpyware.  What's the latest and greatest?  I haven't had an issue with it for 3 years now.

I don't use Windows, so I don't have an issue with spyware.  I think that makes me a bit out of date with what's current.

But, when I work on my sister's Windows laptop, I use Malwarebytes Free edition along with Avast! Antivirus.  Those two do everything I need done.  She just goes to eBay and Amazon, and Lord of the Ring fan sites so it's enough also for her to NOT use Internet Explorer...I set her up with Firefox using the uBlock origin, HTTPS Everywhere and Self Destructing Cookies add-ons.

P.S. you might want to refresh the page to see if I've made the 97th correction/addition to what I've already typed        

Gibson Research Institute free help for Windows security

https://www.grc.com/default.htm

Personal computer security should be a part time hobby for every computer user.

Even if just 20 minutes a day to learn something new.

Great video to start with.

Haven't been to GRC in like, 7 years.  Brings back memories.

Yes, I used to use that site back when I was a Win98Se / Win2000Pro user for every install.  Used the ShieldsUp! test for years afterwards to check the firewall on Win PCs I worked on.

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2