What are the best Anti-Spyware programs that you can install on your computer?

I had Ad-ware 6.0, Spybot Search & Destroy (with Tea Timer), HiJack This!, and DiamondCS Wormguard.

However, recently my computer go infected with a 01-Hosts: 64.91.255.87 www.dcsresearch.com, which was causing my IE to open really slow (for folders). I used Hijack This! and noticed the above string that looked suspicious. I did some research on the internet, and found it’s a devious malware that hijacks your browser. I used Hijack This! to delete this malware and now my computer runs quickly again when opening folders.

However, this incident opened my eyes to the fact that my anti-spyware programs are perhaps not adequate. Ad-aware 6.0 is okay, but outdated. Spybot is good. DiamondCS wormguard is crap and doesn’t do anything it seems. And Hijack This! is awesome.

I’m in the process of downloading and trying new anti-spyware programs to keep my computer safe. So far, I’ve downloaded Spyware Blaster which is good and I’ll keep. I tried Spyware Guard which offers real-time protection, but it’s update files are outdated (2004), so I won’t be using it. I’ve also downloaded Spyware Terminator (which found 1 malware), but I don’t like it because it uses too much resources so I’ll probably delete it. I just downloaded and used Malwarebyte’s Anti-Malware, and it’s good and I’ll keep it. I’m about to try 2 more programs - Spyware Doctor and Counter Spy.

Do any of yous have any opinions on Spyware Doctor and/or Counter Spy? Spyware Doctor will probably be good because it’s from the same people that made Registry Mechanic (PC Tools). Also, most of the programs are to scan and detect and erase spyware, or to prevent infection in the first place. But, do you know of any program that offers real-time protection that does NOT use a lot of resources? Spybot’s tea timer is okay, but seems limited. I used Spyware Terminators real-time guard but it slowed my computer way down and so I won’t be using that. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Sorry this is so long - thanks in advance. =)

BTW, I also tried Ad-aware 2008 but wasn't that impressed so I deleted it.
FYI, my anti-virus program is Kaspersky which I'm very satisfied with.
Lastly, I'll probably keep Ad-aware 6.0, Spybot, and definitely Hijack This!. I'm might delete DiamondCS wormguard because it doesn't really do anything.
Thanks Samuel Adams - I am using FireFox which is way better than IE in functionality and security. Thanks.

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