I have been infected for the last time by some fu=ki*ng spyware thingys and I've had it.
Stop using Internet Explorer. You may also want to have a look at your browsing habits as well, generally, I find that to be the main cause for spyware infestations.
Edit...if you really want to move to Linux and still have a Windowsy feel, have a look at SuSE 9.3 Professional, thats a lovely desktop distro :-)
Edit 2...many also swear by Ubuntu as a great desktop distro, but not me.