I am running a program called pest patrol and it keeps finding things it calls spyware cookies. I know I can just go in and delete these but is there anyway to stop them from even getting on my computer.

Many can be stopped by using a free program called spywareblaster.
Download the full install, install the program, click "check for updates", install updates, click the "select all" button, click "protect against checked items"

As explained on the download page the program installs a killbit in your registry to stop many of these cookies and other spyware from being installed on your computer.
You do need to check for updates often...at least once a week.

Spywareblaster download:

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,23106,00.asp

Good luck

Another useful tool that allows you to easily manage cookies is "Cookiewall". It is free and can be found here:

http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/cookie.htm

I have found both those products to be *very* useful, and recommend both.

Kelln, looks like your other post with the log got pulled or was zapped.....
(maybe due to guidelines...)
http://www.computing.net/security/wwwboard/forum/6433.html

Rescan and repost that one.

Yet another way to keep spyware cookies off is to use Internet Explorer's cookie option. Here is how to do it:

1.Click Tools at the top of Internet Explorer.

2. Click Internet Options

3. Click on the Privacy tab.

4. Click Advanced

5.Make sure the "override automatic cookie handling" checkbox is checked.

6. Set "First-Party" cookies to Accept.

7. Set "Third-Party" cookies to Block.

8. Click OK.

Important: Always use the Advanced settings in the Privacy tab to handle your cookie settings. DoubleClick and other ad- producing servers have found a way around people who use the standard slide-bar in Internet Explorer 6 to handle cookie settings.

This should help reduce tracking cookies that DoubleClick and other servers put on your system. If you ever want to see if your cookie settings are working, surf to a webpage and look down at the bottom right of the screen above the task bar.

When on a webpage, depending on your security settings, you will usually see "zones", such as Internet, Restricted, Unknown, or Mixed. To the left of these zones, you will sometimes a red symbol with a white minus sign going through it along with a grey saucer-shaped symbol.

You will not always see this exact symbol, but when you do see it, or another symbol in the same spot, you can click on it and get a "Privacy Report". This will bring up a list of any cookies that have been blocked, like DoubleClick. If it says they are blocked, you know your settings are working.

Dw226 forgot to tell you about the edit button below advanced. Set advanced to block 1st. and 3rd. party cookies, accept session cookies. Then click edit. If there is a site you want a cookie from, type it in :ebay.com, for instance and the only cookie you will ever see is the one you allowed. Frank ( rookie )

PS>Forgot to say, after typing it in, click allow. Go to camtech2000 and get free version of spysites and it will load in 2,7xx sites that are blocked and put them in restricted zone so you can't even get the sites. Frank