How are things running now? Popups gone?
To keep this clean in the future, I would suggest the following things:
Install Spywareblaster
SpywareBlaster doesn`t scan and clean for so-called spyware, but prevents it from being installed in the first place. It blocks the popular spyware ActiveX controls, and also prevents the installation of any of them via a webpage.
Avoid illegal sites, because that's where most malware is present.
Let your antispywarescanner(s) scan frequently and don't forget to update before.
And I do suggest you perform an online virusscan once in a while. (Kaspersky online and/or Bitdefender). Because what one virusscanner can't find another one maybe can.
Also make sure that your virusscanner, the one that is installed on your system is always up to date!
Make sure your windows has the latest updates: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
More info on how to prevent malware you can also find here (By Tony Klein)
Happy surfing again!