Having trouble with Surf Sidekick? Update your AdAware software!

Hey all: After literally DAYS working on this !@#$ problem (including hourly anti-virus scans, spy sweepings, crap-cleaner and ad-aware scans) I FINALLY found the solution to Surf Sidekick. This insidious program actually changes your administrative privileges so when you try to remove it, it doesn't let you. (I apologize in advance for any wrong terminology).
I am a complete & utter newbie when it comes to this computer stuff, so I'm very cautious. Well, I threw caution to the winds and tried to go into the registry to delete the program from there (that's how desperate I was). I realized the problem was not me when I repeatedly got error messages that the program was in use by another system. This is MY home system and NOTHING else was using the freaking thing.
From Safe Mode, I ran Task Manager and tried to delete ssk.exe; when I got the error message there, too, I got it.
So I went to AdAware (Lavasoft), got a VX2 cleaner, installed it, and...got another error message that the program was a 'bad plugin.'
SO...I deleted AdAware completely, went back & got the latest version, and badabing badaboom, worked like a charm! I'm freaking ecstatic! And wanted to share in case someone else is about to do a complete recovery like I was...
NOW I'd like to know if there's anything I can do to ensure this particular piece of excrement remains off my system. I've got Avast virus protection, the latest version of AdAware, the registered version of SpySweeper, a pop-up blocker, and the latest security upgrades from Microsoft (Service Pack 2). BTW I'm using Windows XP Home Version. Also, my internet settings are the highest security settings possible.
Thanks for all the help I've gotten on this site and I'm happy to be able to post something that may streamline a step for someone else!
Metalhed

 

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