OK Guys cheers for all of your help here.

I have found the IE pop up blocker and have adjusted the settings to maximum (they were set to medium) is that the right thing to do?

Do I still need to install http://toolbar.google.com/ as Smit sugested or will the IE pop up blocker be suficient

I installed the Ad-Aware software and ran it and it found 670 bad things (is that a lot or a typical amount??), which it deleted all but two of. I am currently re-booting my laptop as it reckons it can get rid of the other two after that.

Sean..