I'm running Spybot Search & Destroy and Lavasoft Adaware, yet I know that I have to have some adware on my 'puter since whenever i start browsing (or after I leave it alone for awhile) windows start popping up left and right.

Anyone know of any other programs or techniques that work well? I'm also running Google's toolbar that has popup blocking, but it's not catching these.

*cough cough* use a *cough cough* Mac

Sorry couldn't resist!

I've found just using Firefox as my browser, and Thunderbird for email has eliminated all the problems I used to have like that.

If you are using Win2000 or XP try going to Services in Control Panel and disable "Messenger". This is not IM, this is a message service sending alerts between client / server. I believe if Messenger is running there is a port open and exposed.

Also try loading Zone Alarm. Works great if you have 512 + Ram.

HTH

If you are looking for an IE style browser, I'd try getting the Avant browser. It uses IE, but allows tabbing, etc. and has a built in popup blocker.

....

Sure it's not because you leave your computer unlocked?

Have you checked manually (msconfig from the command line I think) what is starting up with your computer? That may give you some clues on what causing the pop-ups. Also, there is another app called Hijack this or very similar that can identify processes that are running. These all basically tell you if something is running that could be causing the ads to appear as the common software hasn't caught the culprit it seems.