Spyware, virus - the distinction is not really that meaningful. In this instance, either classification would leave you with the same problem - software installed without the user's consent, resistant to removal, and updating itself as fast as the removal tools are updated.

This isn't a problem for the antivirus industry, or the anti-spyware industry. This is a problem for the people who allow software to run on a machine under even the weakest of pretexes - the people who write the host software itself. In this instance, I guess that means Microsoft.

[But that's ok - they'll be selling antivirus software soon which will solve all our problems. 8P ]

My suggested solution: normal users don't have permission to install software. How often does your 8-year old kid need to install unvetted applications?

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