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Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with this source in any way; just a very satisfied user.

Check out the free EULAlyzer which can be downloaded from: EULA Research Center. EULAlyzer works on Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, and 7.

Example: I took a look at the Privacy Policy for /. which is located at: Geeknet Privacy Policy . "(Last Updated February 29, 2012) (Effective Date May 24, 2008)"

EULAyzer summarized as:

"Details: The license agreement above has a high calculated Interest ID. It's rather long, and there were a high number of detected 'interesting' words and phrases."

The "Flagged Text" Called out the following, each of which can be expanded:

• Advertising
• Privacy: ID Number
• Privacy: Web Bugs
• Promotional Messages
• Third Party
• Web Site Address
• Without Notice

Each of these are expandable. Each expanded item provides an "Interest Level" graph and a link to its place in the License Agreement Text.

PS: I've lurked on /. since before there even were UID numbers, but privacy concerns delayed my signing up. I'm quite frankly surprised at how extensive the policy is and that just shows me how much has changed since the olden days. I should probably check other on-line site's policies to see what's new there, too.

Is there any reliable source of data that rates company policies against some objective criterion? Something that's not just an unsorted collection of complaints or anecdotes? There's EULAlyzer, which tries to do this by recognizing stock phrases. Anything else?

Incidentally, Netflix won't even let you read their EULA unless you let them plant a cookie. That's tacky,

If I could find something like that, I'd put it in SiteTruth, and have it appear when you mouse over a link or search result. Currently we report the location of the business and, when available, the annual revenue and number of employees, with links to SEC and BBB reports. The goal is to provide consumers with data that allows them to tell how legitimate the company is. Data that doesn't come from the company. (Or from their social spammers. Most favorable crowd-sourced "reviews" are now solicited, if not outright fake.)

That's why there's Doc Scrubber.

That would only be viable in a non-free market. Since the market is free, each company can operate how it chooses. You also have the choice to not do business with that company. Just because this stuff is "on the computer" doesn't make it any different than it was before computers. Oh, and the free market does offer you a solution, but you were too busy whinning and complaining to notice.

...I pretty much stick with Malwarebytes, CCleaner, SpywareBlaster, and MSE.

Actually, I got this tip off another /. post...researched each (non-MS) application, determined for myself that they were legit, and have not looked back. In fact, I just spent a few minutes last night eradicating the trojan "Microsoft" Antivirus 2010 on a friend's computer using the Malwarebytes app on a USB. Worked like a charm.

But don't take my word for it...do your own evaluation. I think you'll like what you find.

...and it concluded: "The license agreement above has a high calculated interest ID. It's extremely long, and there were a high number of detected 'interesting' words or phrases." That means Eulalyzer thinks its a bad EULA. The interesting words or phrases are listed and can be viewed in context: (1) Advertising, (2) Emergency Calls or Services, (3) Third Party, (4) Web Site Address, and (5) Without Notice. I've never seen a EULA with that many "'interesting' words or phrases" called out by the program.

EULAlyzer is a free (download: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/downloads.html). If, like me, you don't have the time to read through the EULA's for software you're thinking of purchasing, this is just the program for you. At the very least, it will give you a "heads up" and point you to the 'interesting' parts of the EULA where you can, then, read as much "legalese" as you can stomach..

I think we *should* read all EULAs but I also agree most of them are incomprehensible, specially when they all start the same, so you just think "ok, it's the same as the last time, where's the OK button?".

The solution I found? EULAlyzer

It does a pretty good job at spotting suspicious wording, without having to read the whole thing. Agreed, the best option would be to have a lawyer read the entire text and explain it to you, but since I'm guessing that's not an option for 99.99% of users, this little tool might help you be a bit smarter about this whoel thing.

Disclaimer: I'm in no way related to the company, developers or anything else around the tool....I just like it very much.

After finding it though, what do you do?

I usually run that stuff through EULAlyzer. It doesn't catch everything, but it does spot a lot of dangerous words.

And it even formats the info with 1-10 bar graphs, so if you get a lot of 7's (like eBay's TOS), then you know it's bad.

You can argue that the contract is a complete answer, but here we have a problem: contracts are not intended to be effective vehicles for communicating terms of agreement to consumers, they're designed to be effective vehicles for specifying terms to the legal machinery.

Excellent post, but I'd like to comment specifically on the above excerpt.

Why does EACH PERSON who signs one of these contracts have to INDEPENDENTLY vet it for gotchas? The company has its team of lawyers construct ONE contract that is then read by thousands (millions?) of users. The cost to the company, per user, is minimal compared to what it would cost EACH USER to investigate the contract in all its ramifications.

What if there were a centralized means for users to share and comment on these contracts? After a few people have reviewed an agreement and shared the gotchas they have found, other users could benefit from that investigation, too, without having to start from scratch every single time.

Consider EULAs. I've seen well-reasoned discussions about them here. It seems to me that THIS discussion is of a similar nature. I cannot recall where I heard of it, but I've taken to using EULAlyzer to review every EULA that I encounter. It helps point out aspects that I might otherwise overlook. I am aware of the risk of encountering a false negative (it might not notice something significant). Still, I'm a very happy user and have declined installing some apps on a number of occasions because of onerous terms it has brought to my attention.

Hmmm... Here's an opportunity for someone to start "ContractDot", based on the slashcode base (or roll your own from scratch). Any takers?

Sometimes I care enough to use eulalyzer, sometimes I don't (I did not read the eulalyzer eula)

See http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/eulalyzer.html

TEH OMG!! You mean an anti-VIRUS does not detect SPYWARE? TEH OMGWTFIMGONNAHAVEAHEARTATTACK!!! Next thing you know, someone is going to tell me MS Word doesn't check my email, and MS Access doesn't change my motor oil, and that Internet Explorer will not wash my dishes.

You only need ONE program to protect you from Spyware: it's called SpywareBlaster. It BLOCKS spyware, works for both IE and Firefox, and is free. However, free means you need to update manually... but for only $10 a year you can both support the product and activate their auto-update feature.

I've been using SpywareBlaster for about five years, and can count the number of actual spyware I've had to clean off on one hand. It's far better to not even GET spyware than it is to clean it off after the fact.

"...just as much as IE."?
Look up the list of unsafe web addresses that Spyware Blaster puts in IE's restricted sites list and consider that statement again.

#2&3:
You really trust MS to fix their own problems?
One of the easiest ways I've found to crash a computer is to install Windows updates as soon as they come out (which is 3 mos. after the vulnerability was discovered anyway).

#5:
I really prefer Avast! myself. More user-friendly than avg imho.

#6:
You forgot Spywareblaster. It's passive protection.

Maybe something like this would help:

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/eulalyzer.html

There is a program called EULAlyzer that could help to understand the EULAs clearly and better.

The fine folks who make spyware blaster also have an app that you can dump the EULA into. It checks the language and gives warnings.

I tried it, and it was pretty interesting to see the results:

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/eulalyzer.html

Probably through the MRU :) It's a prime area for forensics and the first place most investigators look. If he also used a program like MRU-Blaster run from a USB memory key (which also holds your secure eraser) will help to remove the chance that "they" could find out you're using the programs.

Besides Spybot and Adaware, I use the following programs:
SpywareBlaster - Prevents Spyware from being installed
Microsoft AntiSpyware - Completly free, and has nice active protection. Have a 'special' versions of Windows, use an alternate download source.

With respect to Viruses, please read the following article: Mega Antivirus Test.
Summed up: AVG sucks, Anti-Vir finds the most virus, Kaspersky 5 finds most unique stuff, and Kaspersky's online scan owns everything.

Also I'd recommend using a NAT. All of this is prevention/reactive stuff, though I think the Hijack This + Google is the best for nasty stuff, as mentioned.

Here's another one you need: Spyware Blaster. It's so good that if Spybot Search and Distroy detects it, it tells you that some of Spyware Blaster's protections are better than its own.

EULAlyzer
Program that analyzes EULAs and points out the important bits.

(Poster will not be held liable for any problems arising form the use of this program.)

I worked at a computer repair shop at one point, and my SOP is very similar, although I typically run HijackThis earlier in the process (Before removing programs), and I include - if necessary - some passes with other programs.

Worst-case Scenario:
1) Kill all unecessary processes manually (if able)
2) Run MSCONFIG and disable unecessary startup processes (if able)
3) Run Spybot S&D (if able)
4) Run HijackThis
5) Install Avast! AV and updates, and schedule a boot-time scan (if able)
6) Uninstall/manually remove unecessary applications
7) Reboot
8) Repeat all setps 1-6 which did not work the first time
9) Run Spybot S&D (again)
10) Install and configure Firefox with Adblock extension.
11) Install and configure SpywareBlaster
12) Lock Down IE
13) Reboot
14) Manually clean up any remnants with the help of HijackThis
15) Install and configure Kerio PF

It takes longer than is typically necessary of a simple cleanup, but so far I haven't run into anything that couldn't be fixed in such a manner. Most importantly however, it doesn't cost a dime. I keep both a USB flash drive and a CD on hand with all of the programs and updates I need as well as some other fallback programs (some pre-installed directly on the CD/flash drive), so if the infected machine is unable to connect for downloads/updates it won't slow me down. It also helps that IE is not needed when loading everything from the CD or flash drive.

Of all the machines I have used this on, only those of the incedibly stupid have had problems resurface, while most have run clean for a year or more. I use the same preventative measures on my own PC and have never picked up any spyware/malware.

...stopped reading when it was saying Symantec, McAfee and Microsoft were better than Lavasoft.

Every machine I have serviced which had either Symantec, McAfee or Microsoft products, had an infection.
Worse the machines would crawl even with a fresh install of said products.

The review is giving those products big stars?
What a joke!

Any product that causes your machine to crawl after installation IS a Virus imho.

Here is the recipe:
Install one product to act as sentinel in resident memory, either Webroot Spysweeper or Lavasoft's Adaware.
Install both Spybot Search and Destroy and Spyware Blaster.

Interesting that Spyware Blaster, http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.htm l, was not even mentioned on /.
It is a worthy product because it inoculates to prevent those users who insist on installing crap like Gator, err...Claria or Comet Cursor.

The single most important role of spyware should be to do its job with minimal footprint on your resources.
The review clearly ignores this.

1. Ad-Aware SE
2. Spybot Search & Destroy
3. SpywareBlaster
4. Microsoft Anti-Spyware
5. Some Anti-Virus Program that you like (at my work, we install Norton even though it is a resource hog, but never Norton Internet Security since it eventually always fucks a computer up)

Set your Anti-virus program to scan at least weekly, and automatically update itself, Update and sca with Ad-Aware and Spybot weekly at a minimum, and update and protect with SpywareBlaster weekly at a minimum.

It is absolutely ridiculous that a person should have to do this to keep their computer running decently. We get so many Windows machines in the shop that it isn't even funny, but thusfar, whenever we have managed to convince someone to upgrade to a MacOS X machine (Typically when their Dell, Compaq, HP, E-Machines has a motherboard failure). They have came back completely excited and astonished that they don't really have to worry about spyware and viruses so much.

My reccomendation on keeping your WIndows XP machine in top performance. Go buy a high-end Mac and run VirtualPC if it can run whatever program you NEED to run (Note: Games do not count), if you cannot run your Prorgram under VPC, buy a low-end PC and keep it off the network.

We may not all read our EULA's. However I have found the following software EULAlyzer really handy in highlighting important items in the EULA.

Its not a substitute for truelly reading the whole EULA, however I find it good at helping me and my customers identify 'dodgy' software.

However, there is EULAlyzer.

I have a few programs that atleast help a little to secure windows.

I run them when I install windows, or when I clean other people's computers.

UnPlug n' Pray
http://www.grc.com.nyud.net:8090/unpnp/unpnp.htm
DCOMbobulator
http://www.grc.com.nyud.net:8090/dcom/
Shoot The Messenger
http://www.grc.com.nyud.net:8090/stm/shootthemesse nger.htm
XP Antispy
http://www.xp-antispy.org.nyud.net:8090/
SafeXP
http://www.theorica.net.nyud.net:8090/safexp.htm
Xpy
http://xpy.whyeye.org.nyud.net:8090/
BugOFF
http://www.spywareinfo.com.nyud.net:8090/~merijn/

The above help clean up several things I find to be disconcerting in XP. Things I'd rather not be enabled.
And with the above, I have had few problems. I have actually been better off. Hence, why I recommend them.
Still, I doubt I'd want the un pc savvy or the mentally retarded using teh above and muckign with their PC so much it won't boot. So, user beware.

And to harden the IP stack, there's Harden-IT
http://www.sniff-em.com.nyud.net:8090/hardenit.sht ml

Windows Configurator can also enable/disable certain things, as above. Have not used it yet, but just found out I had it installed.
http://home.autocom.pl.nyud.net:8090/mrowka/freewa re/wd.html
And then there's also TuneXP
http://www.driverheaven.net.nyud.net:8090/dforce/
It has several other options that may make your windows experience more enjoyable, and/or safe.
And of course there's FreshUI, which you can change how windows looks and reacts.
I guess its much like TweakUI.

And because IE is a real bitch, and even opera and firefox can get bitchy at times, I always use...
The Proxomitron
The best damned thing to happen to web browsing, EVAR!
Block popups, banners, browser hijacks, flash, javascript, web bugs, tons of things. Highly configurable, great for most anything.
Never knew how I got by without it before. I never browse without it now.
http://www.proxomitron.info.nyud.net:8090/
I also have it patched to make it look nicer. Little things can do so much.
http://www.xs4all.nl.nyud.net:8090/~vsetten/prox/
And I also religiously use The Gryphen's filter pack. Haven't found a better set yet. :D
http://www.users.on.net.nyud.net:8090/~grypen/Down loads/?M=D (look for "proxofilterset####" where #### is the newest date. A self extracting file, which overwrites the config files, and sets proxomitron to start on boot.

Also first up when I install windows is a thorough Spybot Search & Destroy and Adaware cleaning.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
Not that there'd be anything there, already. But a good once through is nice.
Then, within Spybot I go to Immunize and help lock down my system.
I then get SpywareBlaster and do the same.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.htm l

With the above programs (Adaware

I'm assuming you are using the 'free' versions of this software, otherwise igore the rest of this message!

Bearing in mind you are a non-commercial organization - and a worthy one - I would double check the licenses for these as far as educational and non-commercial organizational use is concerned. And perhaps a complimentary email to vendors for clarification where necessary?

SpywareBlaster looks OK for teachers.

Spybot I would confirm with author. They seem 'edu' friendly, from their tone.

AVG License is perhaps slightly ambiguous in this case. Schools are non-commercial but they are 'Organizations'.

Ad-Aware not free for educational use.

You may have omitted your firewall of choice but most of them have similar organizational clauses. I think Outpost Free may be OK.

I use Spybot for Malware infections, but SpywareBlaster does a much better job of immunizing IE against getting malware ActiveX infections and blocking bad cookies in IE/Firefox.

One one hand, spyware is some pretty evil stuff. There are little weasel programs I've spent quite a bit of time trying to get out of systems.

On the other hand, I get paid to do that. I just did one small company with 5 computers that was literally shut down because they couldn't do anything on their systems. Spyware is a problem on just about every single "joe average" computer that I have seen lately. The problem, of course, is going to get worse as long as Windows continues to allow users to run with privileged access by default.

I don't feel like going into a Microsoft rant - I'm sure it would be preaching to the choir anyway. I would like to share effective tools in my warchest for cleaning out spyware -

Ad-Aware - My favorite anti-spyware program right now. Gets about 95% of baddies.

HiJack This! - Cleans up anything that Ad-Aware may have left behind. It scans all startup regkeys, services, and BHO IE extension keys and lets you select which ones to nuke. BE CAREFUL, it lists both the good and the bad. If you don't know what a process is, google for it before you remove its key.

There are many other useful tools on this download page as well, like LSPFix. This program will fix the mess left by programs that mess with your TCP stack, such as New Net, whos manual removal can disable your Internet access completely.

Pocket KillBox - You know those processes that come back from the dead after you kill them? Can't delete the EXE because it's locked in both normal and safe modes? Pocket Killbox is what you need. If it can't delete the file outright, it can temporarily end the Explorer task and try it that way. If that doesn't work, it can use Windows' replace-on-reboot function to swap the EXE with a dummy file on the next reboot. Very handy for getting rid of the most nefarious of processes.

Spyware Blaster - Pre-emptive spyware prevention. The interesting thing about this program is that it doesn't remain resident in memory. Instead, it writes files and regkeys to your system that prevent the spyware from installing. Adding and removing protection can be done in one click.

I've got one Windows machine, running 2K Pro, and hiding somewhere on it is ISTsvc.exe. Pesky little bugger. Can't seem to get rid of it, but I can keep it contained with:
AdAware
Spybot Search and Destroy
SpywareBlaster
and
F-Prot Antivirus, which actually does a good job all by itself.
I tried the Symantec Istbar removal tool, but to no avail. I might try digging around in the registry again, but last time I did that it didn't work either.

Any suggestions, anyone?

(tig)

I have a machjine that is clearly hijacked by something called "istbar". I remove the thing with adaware every time I start the PC, and the next time, it is back again. I dont know what it does, but it uses all the bandwidth on my ADSL connection to do it. I have posted before on /. saying WTF can I do to get rid of the beast, but up til now the only workable answer is "run Linux" - I normally do. I even run netBSD on my laptop. This is a machine I only use when I *HAVE* to run Windows. It is running Win2000 professional edition, with all its patches up to date.

This program has been quite helpful on an enterprise deployment to prevent the "download this?" type boxes that pop-up and install 99% of most adware. It's free, and only changes configurations and you're done with it at that point, so I'm happy to suggest it.

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.htm l

Lavasoft's Ad-Aware -- the freeware version is all you need for scanning purposes, but the professional version comes with Ad-Watch (popup and spyware blocker).

Spybot Search & Destroy -- another good (and free) spyware scanner that also "immunizes" Internet Explorer from certain well-known spyware and browser hacks.

Javacool Spyware Blaster -- another free spy-fighter that protects Internet Explorer from any malicious ActiveX code. You can also block Flash ads if you choose.

Antivirus app of your choice -- any free anti-virus app should do the trick, but if you already have Norton or McAfee you're in great shape.

If you have XP SP2 -- with SP2 installed, set the popup blocker to its highest blocking setting, and just hold Ctrl any time your surfing requires a popup.

Your #5 is completely full of crap and wrong. Spywareblaster, Spybot S&D and Adaware SE are all excellent apps to deal with spyware, and if you are running a compatible version of Windows, add in Microsoft Anti-Spyware (beta).

As for can't get spyware off of a computer. LOL LOL LOL I do this EVERY SINGLE DAY and it is not only NOT that difficult using the tools I mentioned, but some other additions generally stop it.

1) Clean at LEAST these temp files regularly:
C:\Windows\Temp C:\Temporary Internet Files
C:\Documents and Setings\-usernmae-\Local Settings\Temp
C:\Documents and Setings\-usernmae-\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files

2) Turn OFF Virus Re^H^H^H^H^H System Restore and delete the _Restore directory

3) Use Firefox instead of Internet Explorer

And for even better success in keeping spyware off of your computer (again for the non-technical) use a Mac...

Ad-aware and Spybot don't catch all spyware, unfortunately (I've found PestPatrol to be better than both of them, but it's not free). Also, I'm not sure why it's not mentioned much, but SpywareBlaster prevents a lot of crap from getting installed in the first place.

Spybot and SpywareBlaster are still a better combo. Spybot scans while SpywareBlaster prevents the spyware in the first place. SpywareBlaster will work with IE _and_ Firefox. Will this offering from MS help protect non-IE browsers?

This is NOT a problem.There is a tool out there that can disable wmp scripting ability.http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/wmpscripti ngfix I got it to get rid of those annoying pr0n scripts and have NEVER had a problem with pop-ups on wmp since.And it's free!!

On the other hand, the question is about windows. Here's the best freeware list I've found, taken off of the neowin.net forums. These are not guaranteed Clean, but most of them are. Also, you might want to check tinyapps.org, which specializes in SMALL apps (usually not enough space for ad/spyware).
Category 3D Graphics: ----JunkCharactersToDefeatLameness/CharacterCountF ilterForAValidList----
3Delight Free - http://www.3delight.com/index.htm
Anim8or - http://www.anim8or.com/
Aqsis - http://www.aqsis.com/
Blender - http://www.blender3d.org/
gmax - http://www.discreet.com/products/gmax/
Houdini (Free Edition) - http://www.sidefx.com/apprentice/index.html
Maya Personal Learning Ed. - http://www.alias.com/eng/products-services...ple/i ndex.shtml
Now3D - http://digilander.libero.it/giulios/Eng/homepage.h tm
OpenFX - http://www.openfx.org
SOFTIMAGE|XSI EXP - http://www.softimage.com/products/exp/v3/
Toxic - http://www.toxicengine.org/
Wings 3D - http://www.wings3d.com/
Category Anti-Virus:----JunkCharactersToDefeatLameness/Char acterCountFilterForAValidList----
AntiVir - http://www.free-av.com/
Avast - http://www.avast.com/i_idt_1018.html
AVG - http://www.grisoft.com/
ClamWin - http://www.clamwin.com/
Category Anti Spyware:----JunkCharactersToDefeatLameness/Charact erCountFilterForAValidList----
Ad-aware - http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/
Bazooka - http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/index.html
Diet K - http://www.dietk.com/
SpyBot Search & Destroy - http://spybot.safer-networking.de/
SpywareBlaster - http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.htm l
SpywareGuard - http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareguard.html
Category IRC Clients:----JunkCharactersToDefeatLameness/Charact erCountFilterForAValidList----
BersIRC - http://www.bersirc.com/
BitchX - http://bitchx.org/download.php
HydraIRC - http://www.hydrairc.com/
TinyIRC - http://www.tinyirc.net/
XChat - http://www.silverex.org/news/
Category Audio Players:----JunkCharactersToDefeatLameness/Charact erCountFilterForAValidList----
1by1 - http://www.rz.uni-frankfurt.de/~pesch
Billy - http://www.sheepfriends.com/?page=billy
CoolPlayer - http://coolplayer.sourceforge.net/
DeliPlayer. http://www.deliplayer.com/
Foobar 2

There's a great article at Arstechnica entitled Malware: what it is and how to prevent it . Good read, if not a little on the basic side. However, it did suggest a great anti-spyware app called SpywareBlaster which is seems effective at preventing spyware in the first place..

That, couple with the Adaware and Spybot Search and Destroy, and I've had no problems whatsoever.

P.S. And it helps if you don't visit porn sites and download wares too ;^)

You're right, the set of spyware tools tested is not among the best or even popular ones.

He should have tested these:

* Ad-Aware from Lavasoft
* Pest Patrol from Computer Associates
* Spy Sweeper from Webroot Software
* McAfee AntiSpyware from Network Associates
* Spyware Blaster from Javacool software

Check this out for a *real* review: http://spywarewarrior.com/asw-test-guide.htm

...though I would have liked to see how the pre-emptive SpywareBlaster changed the results...

Thus far I have had no problems with it, and it seems to be great.

As heavily as I use SpyBot and Ad-Aware, there have been few preventative measures until I found SpywareBlaster. It behaves somewhat like a hosts file, and also blocks cookies from websites. It even works nicely with Firefox/Mozilla.

BHODemon is pretty helpful too, though it's finely focused on BHOs, but that's enough. Works with SP2 just fine (it detects SP2).

My folks are able enough with computers, but I don't plan to put HijackThis in their hands anytime soon. If it's something that safe mode, SpyBot and Ad-Aware won't fix, they'll need to call me anyway.

Here's what I install on my friends machines who are having trouble with spyware/adware. First, install and update Ad-Aware and show them how to run it. Then I install a nifty little program called Spyware Blaster which, from what I can tell, is supposed to block active x controls with certain strings from running. It works pretty good. You can grab a copy from http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/

• Spybot - Search and Destroy
• Ad-Aware SE Personal
• SpywareBlaster

No need to limit yourself to just one, either - run all three!

Yeah, my other computer is Linux too. So what?

The several hours to install all that stuff included a lot of time wandering away from the computer while it took forever to do who knows what and download various updates (and sit like a brick waiting for user input). 25MB of updates just for the preinstalled Norton software and it made me reboot no less than six (6) times during that process, so every time you go back to the computer it's sitting there like a lump waiting for you to click "reboot". Just because you aren't around doesn't make the time go any faster. It usually makes the whole process slower since you aren't there to click every unnecessary dialog that pops up.

The time also included Spybot S&D, Adaware, Spyware Blaster, Norton's firewall, and configuration of the various options in each application to make them actually do what they needed to do without user intervention, which the owners were not capable of. Plus configuration of three different desktops for the people who would be using the computer, so they can keep all their files and settings separate. The 3-5 minute login/logout/reboot processes must have ended up adding an hour or more to my time. After the RAM upgrade it logs in/out in like 20-30 seconds. Still slower than a Mac at less than one quarter the "speed".

Instant on? Any fool knows desktop computers aren't instant on. No need to be facetious or sarcastic. But when someone buys a brand new 2.8GHz computer with 256MB RAM and it boots up and switches between users slower than an old 333MHz with 32MB I have at home, I find it upsetting and ridiculous. A 2.8GHz computer should be fast, especially when it's not running anything. The extra 512 made a lot of the problem go away, but it shouldn't have been necessary, and it added to the base cost of the computer. Before the RAM upgrade it was not "perfectly usable", it was dog slow, like their 5-year-old PC which runs Win98 and is basically dying. For further comparison I've also seen an ancient 350MHz iMac running Mac OS X and it is perfectly usable and was even before we upgraded its memory. Booting up and logging in and out are all reasonably quick, and that computer was new in 1999.

Remember what they say about assumptions. I said "we" there because "we" as a group decided that she should invest another $100 with Crucial.com and get another 512MB stick of RAM. It turned out to be a good decision, since it made the computer "perfectly usable". Before that it was not "ok", which was the whole point. It was so slow it made me and the owners think that a lot of cash had just been wasted on a piece of junk.

I don't buy PCs. The next computer I do buy will be a Mac. Also, you can almost always get cheaper RAM upgrades from someplace like Crucial.com rather than buying from the OEM. Yes, you can even get RAM upgrades for Macs there, you don't have to buy everything from Apple.

Then use Linux. I wasn't talking about 'the total cost of ownership', just the initial cost of purchasing one from Dell and Gateway vs. other PC manufactures.

I was just making a comment that I didn't think base cost was the whole story. It wasn't aimed directly at you, but at anyone who might read it as they browse the comments attached to this story. I raised a separate issue for consideration by others. Ask yourself if it was really necessary to respond by talking to me like I'm an idiot.

You may also want to read that link about Dell's customer service that you gave me, funny thing is I see a lot of hardware problems being discussed. Hard drives dying after a week, things like that.

Hi.. Newbie poster here.. have you tried spywareblaster it's a program we use on our Windows based machines and find that it will limit the amount of spyware that gets installed. It can be found at http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.htm l

RevMark

ECHO.
ECHO Installing Spyware Blaster ...
start /high /wait D:\Apps\Spyware1\Spyware1.exe /verysilent /SP-
taskkill /IM spywareblaster.exe /F
xcopy %A%\Spyware1\*.dtb "%ProgramFiles%\SpywareBlaster\*.dtb" /Q /S /C /E /R /Y

When it finishes, it is installed, and the data files are already updated, during your unattended install. The problem is, you have to open the app on every machine and click on Enable All Protection in order for the registry to be changed. That would suck on 2000 machines.

But you can go a step further, doing that step automatically. You can take all the registry changes that the program generates (to disable evil ActiveX controls), and fold them directly into your registry during install. Here's How:

1. Install SpywareBlaster on a test PC, run the updates, then enable all protection.
2. Open REGEDIT and export the following key:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ActiveX Compatibility\

3. Import the reg entries from that branch using the following command during your post-install script:

   ECHO.
   ECHO Applying Anti-Spyware Registry tweaks ...
   start /high /wait REGEDIT /S (path to file)\spyblock.reg

Good Luck,

JP

Rather than starting flame wars or arguments over permissions...I'll endeavour to answer the actual question. First, Spybot Search and Destroy now contains Tea Timer, which will actually prevent installation of spyware components and warn of incoming spyware. This is at least worth mentioning.

Second, Java Cool Software has both Spyware Guard and Spyware Blaster. Both are free (at least for personal use), and both do a pretty good job of preventing the installation of spyware components. Spyware Blaster is specialized for blacklisting bad Active X controls and the like, but also has protection for Firefox vulnerabilities. Spyware Guard is a background guard to warn of incoming spyware and prevent some installations.

-Jay

SpywareGuard does exactly what you require. It scans software when you open it and stops it from mucking about with obvious spyware related registery keys.