Spybot can “innoculate” against some scumware, I think by modifying the host file to block known shitbag net addresses. But taking away admin rights is the best thing to do. I did a rebuild on the family computer a few months back but forgot to restrict my sister’s accounts so on Christmas I had to spend a while trying to clear out a bunch of scummware. This can be a pain in the ass too because I have to install games for them occasionally, and some games are still really bad about working for users without admin rights in XP…
It actually runs a browser help object to block all known scumware BHOs.
I don’t run IE myself, but I’ve definitely reduced the infestation rate in
all the places I’ve installed it (a school, various aquaintances - 120+
computers in total).
spywareblaster does the same, and better. It puts in Firefox blocks as well.
Yep, Spybot actually recommends Spywareblaster :)