Here are a couple of good articles I found from my two favorite tech sites. tecktv.com and pcmag.com
http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/an...597682,00.html
http://www.pcmag.com/search_results/...te=PC+Magazine
Hope this helps.
I am using msn and they are great for reducing spam. I'm lucky if I get more than two spams a week.
You also may have a spy ware program hidden on your pc. Spy ware keeps track of where you go and sends it to advertisers. One blatant program is gator. Here is a link to a program to see if you have spy ware on your system.
http://www.safer-networking.org/
Also I highly recommend the Norton Antivirus and Internet security package. It not only has antivirus but a firewall. A personal firewall can not just prevent unwanted downloads to you but unwanted uploads from a hidden program on your system. This package also rocks for pop up blocking and add blocking.