what to do when suspicious of malware, hijacker, etc

[colore]

hello

my internet connection behaves strangely lately, eg seems to block specific sites, being slow, disconnect frequently, etc

although it my be my ISP problem, I would like to make sure my pc is free from ANY type of malware, viruses, hijackers, spyware, worms, etc

what should I do? which is the range of programs to use in order to detect any possible threat?

the last time I was occupied with this matter, there were a couple of programs, each for specific malware, so no single application could detect all threats

thanks

Edited March 24, 2009 by colore

[submix8c]

Google "scan free online virus" (without quotes). Most of the top AntiVirus Software Providers are listed.

Spybot S&D (Seek and Destroy) is free; most people I know use it (I do). Google on that too (by safernetworking org). Not an antivirus, but a trojan/spaware hunter with additional features for blocking b;acklisted sites via the HOSTS file.

Search this forum for some freeware AntiVirus and opinions of "which is best" (keyword=opinions).

Here's a good one recommended by a member of the forum. Also HijackThis will give lists of items found and is used in assisting a person with eliminating various "baddies".

HTH