I hate spyware too, but there is a simple solution to your problems, which don't involve bashing m$..
1) Take control of your security settings.
a) watch your web browsing habbits, don't go to sites that leave cookies, do be more careful about your browsing habbits. You can set security zones higher in IE, making it more of a pain to browse with.. Turn off activeX and automatic installs in the preferences etc.
b) Change your web browser.. Move away from IE to firefox. Most people never have a problem with firefox at all.
If it makes you feel any better I have got to explore the Windows Vista beta and so far I am finding that very secure. They have a new security model system in place called UAP.. It reminds me a lot of Linux and MacOS, because with UAP on, anything that has to write to the Registry or requires administrator priveledges, it will come up asking you to log in with administrator rights.
Combine that with IE 7's more robust pop up protection and phishing filters, it seems a whole lot more secure. It was neat to go to a website that screws with your registry and find the OS asking you to log in as an administrator before the site did it's dirty work to trash your computer.
It's sad it's got to this state, but after seeing this I feel that Microsoft has this well in hand.. Remember it's not Microsoft's fault that these folks are exploiting.. Also, you should keep a lists of sites that are putting this spyware on your computer and turn the tables on them.. They are the one's who should be getting your wraith..
-Don
