Spyware, pt III

So I've been dealing with this spyware infestation on my primary Windows computer. And I'm not a happy camper. After this horrendous experience, I'm ready to switch to working on a Macintosh for most of my work. While I'm not going to move completely away from Windows, I can't afford to use a PC as my primary machine until Microsoft clamps the lid on spyware infestations.

Virus and spyware are only able to flourish because of a prevailing monoculture that includes the operating system, browser, and email client. By avoiding the monoculture, countless outbreaks are avoided and support costs will be lowered. But that's just my two cents ... ;) I'm on deadline this week with my current book while struggling with a PC that's become infested with spyware, through no fault of my own (and here I thought was safe, running Norton Anti-Virus, Spybot Search & Destroy, and a firewall/router).

While my computer remains infested with spyware, I have that infestation contained. I've taken a number of measures to counteract the spyware that has invaded my computer. The first steps were to turn off ActiveX and scripting in Internet Explorer. Then I stopped using Microsoft's browser altogether, in favor of the latest version of Mozilla Firefox. This made a huge difference.

Along the way, I downloaded and installed STOPzilla (no relation to Mozilla) to keep an eye on the bad things that were loading (or trying to load). Using STOPzilla's blacklist as reference, I went into the Windows System Configuration Utility and deselected all of the spyware that was loading at system startup. I've been running in Selective Startup Mode ever since.

While my PC is functioning, it just doesn't seem to be as fast as it was before the infestation occurred. I'll keep hobbling along until my book is put to bed ... then I'll spend a day digging out the heinous spyware apps that have cost me so much grief (and too much time).

Update 5/21:

Since penning this entry last week, I've started using Webroot Spy Sweeper with great success. My buddy Michael Worth just gave Spy Sweeper a spin, as well. In his blog entry on spyware, Michael describes his recent tests with Spy Sweeper, Spybot, and Ad-aware.

I found a whole bunch of great info--including specific details on each heinous piece of spyware--at http://www.spywareguide.com. Another resource is one that Gnomie (and DogReader.com editor) Catherine Forsythe highly recommends: spywareinfo.com.