[Tfug] OT: Windows "Tracking Software"

[Zack Williams]

>> You can install software to track a user's *computer*
>> activity (i.e., not just "internet" activity).  I
>> want to know how to detect, disable and/or remove
>> such tools (presumably, anything that does this
>> and is designed intelligently will leave a very
>> small fingerprint!)
>
> The only safe way is to *re-install* the operating system.  Once your
> system has been *compromised* you cannot *trust* what it reports back
> to you.
>
> Anything claiming to remove all spyware is selling you *lies*.

Seconded.  Wipe and reinstall, and don't connect to the internet until
you're all updated and security software of your liking has been
installed and is working properly.

Another good way to go about running Windows is to use it in a VM like
tissue paper - install on top of Linux/Mac OS, use for a while,
keeping your data on the more secure system.  When it slows down or
gets hinky, chuck the VM and unarchive your clean copy.

- Zack