Disk Cleaning & Software Removal

[Jeepers99]

I need to know how to clean confidential info, website info, and/or any other things off my hard drive without needing to reinstall Windows, etc.  I made the mistake of signing up for "surveys" about 10 days ago, and I don't know if I've left myself vulnerable or not--but I do know I'm getting some emails from places that I, personally, did NOT go...can you recommend software for cleaning all that up?  Also, any recommended way to remove software for things like Quick Time player and/or other things that I never use?

[Calum]

Download CCleaner and use this guide to configure it.
That will clean internet history, cookies etc as you want.
It also includes an uninstall tool, which you can use instead of the Windows one if you like to remove software you don't want.
If you are getting emails you don't want, chances are you may have picked up some malware too, what protection do you have?

[Jeepers99]

My computer has Webroot Spysweeper, and Trend Anti-Virus. 

[CBMatt]

I don't think anything on your computer is at risk.  To me, it sounds like you're probably getting e-mails from the survey site's affiliates.  You should unsubscribe from the site's mailing list, as well as the mailing lists of any of these other sites.  Also try out Calum's suggestion and let us know how everything goes.

[Fed]

If you're getting emails from places that you didn't subscribe to then chances are that unsubscribing will result in even more emails.
You are better off blocking them with your email program via the email header or keywords within the email text.

[CBMatt]

If you're getting emails from places that you didn't subscribe to then chances are that unsubscribing will result in even more emails.
You are better off blocking them with your email program via the email header or keywords within the email text.

Very good point, Fed.  Unsubscribing will let them know that your e-mail is active, which may result in more spam.  Ignore my suggestion and take Fed's instead.  Block these people and set up filters so similar e-mails will automatically be sent to your trash or a special folder.  What e-mail client are you using?

[Jeepers99]

Using Yahoo email.  I'll try your suggestions.  I hadn't even considered that the unsubscribe would generate even more.  Don't know why, that does sound like an obvious ploy they would use.  Thanks.  I'll get working on this...

[CBMatt]

Yahoo! should hopefully make the task a bit easier for you.  As far as I know, it has a decent filtering system, and there's a Bulk Mail folder specifically for junk mail such as this.