Excellent to see that so many are coming out to find ideas of how to deal with this issue
I'm about to start up a business locally...going into peoples homes to clean and secure their systems, then educate them a bit on why this happened and how to avoid it in the future. So, I probably won't have much input here...as I'm busier than a one legged man in an ass kicking contest as it is. But, I will be following these threads and contributing when possible
On that subject, be careful of linking to or suggesting spyware removers...unless it happens to be a major player in the spyware scanner market. Recent research has confirmed something I ran into several months ago on someones system. Some of these new spyware removers are spyware or ransomeware themselves
I have no idea of the ownership of the 411 spyware link you posted Jim, but that site looks pretty spammy and the domain was just registered in June...I'd be very skeptical of downloading their product.
Zone Alarm has been around for years, but I've always found and confirmed as recently as this weekend that it still slows a system...especially on reboot. Also, its real claim to fame is that it blocks outbound unknown connections. While that may sound impressive, personally I think at that point the battle is lost...as the infection is already on the machine...obviously having gotten past the ZA firewall.
Personally, I believe that a solid reputable spyware scanner/virus scanner/software firewall and hardware firewall are all that's needed to keep a system clean. Of course, combined with some education on the do's and don't's of computing. It's not unlike driving a car, surfers need to learn how to use their computers safely. Which is why I'm going to start a sideline business...from the research I've done locally, I think I'm gonna be very VERY busy!