BIG No-No!  Don't just download stuff found on the internet or pitched on some big sales affiliate sites - there are many of them around and it's hard to know "who's who on the web".  Make sure you have carefully read the software product website - do they have a phone number, live support, tech support, sales phone number?  Also, you can get a credit card with a $500 LIMIT or one that is prepaid to use for buying stuff on the internet.  Don't use your major credit card that has a $35,000 credit limit for goodness sakes!

Do your homework before you download ANYTHING ANYTHING AT ALL...Did you CALL the number to make sure it's legitimate?  Did you just some pop-up saying "you have spyware, download this program now" or something like that?  Do you need this stuff at all?  JUST SAY NO TO DOWNLOADS!!!!!

That said...

I've done some research or I actually use (or have used) some of these handy dandy utiliies and gadgets.  If I haven't used them, I try to search for any negative reviews.  Most of these cost money, but probably less than hiring a geek to do them for you...  all have some guarantee, money back, offer updates, support at various levels:

SneakyClean: 

You've heard the stories - they happen every day. People arrested, marriages dissolved, jobs lost… lives ruined. And all because of content found on computers that the user thought was gone forever. (click on the sneakyclean link to read the rest of the story....)  Costs about 100.00, which is cheaper than a lawyer.

Recover Lost Files allows you to recover critically important documents, or other files, which have been lost by accidental deletion. These files may be lost by emptying the Recycle Bin, or using other deletion actions that bypass the Recycle Bin altogether. Such actions include Windows Shift-Delete, command line deletion, deleting excessively large files or using applications that delete files without the Recycle Bin.

Download Here!  I like this because you can download a trial, see what files you CAN recover before you buy the program, which is about $30 -- remember, the SOONER to try to recover lost files, the better chance you have!

 Own an expensive IPOD, taking a flight to London?

Video-2-iPod - is a Software package that allows you to convert your regular PC video files (avi, mpeg, Divx, etc) and DVD Movies into the proper video format that your iPod understands. 
Want to Save tons of money on videos? Convert the movies and TV shows you already own. Put all of your movies onto your iPod for one low price .  

This company, ParetoLogic ,  offers a lot of great, effective, low-cost "fix it" utilities, PLUS they have actual technical support! They've been around for awhile and I've used a few of their software utilities myself.

Power, Performance, Protection. ParetoLogic products put you in control of your PC's performance and security. Take this opportunity to optimize and secure your PC now!

I like the pictures...  

The Yoga Of Alignment - Yofa. Tools For Conscious, Joyful Living.