Surprisingly Little Information on Lavasoft Acquisition

It certainly appears as though the acquisition of Lavasoft AB by Lulu Software is being buried under a rug.  Although I first learned about the acquisition over a month ago, it actually occurred in January.

According to the announcement by Mannheimer Swartling, Solaria Fund acquires software business from Lavasoft:

"Solaria Fund acquires software business from Lavasoft (2011-01-18)

Solaria Fund has acquired the anti-spyware and antivirus software business from Lavasoft.

Lavasoft AB, a privately-held company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, is one of the leading actors in the anti-spyware and antivirus segment.

Solaria Fund was advised by Mannheimer Swartling in the acquisition. The firm’s team was led by Johan Ljungberg, primarily assisted by Emma Olnäs Fors and Teresia Mårdh."

Adding to the confusion is the notice buried at the end of the BusinessWeek description of Lavasoft is the additional information:

"As of January 18, 2011, Lavasoft AB operates as a subsidiary of Lulu Software."

Similarly, the BusinessWeek entry for Lulu Software merely indicates "Merger/Acquisition, Lavasoft AB, January 18, 2011".

From what I can ascertain, Lulu Software and Solaria Fund are, if not one and the same, are closely held, with ties to Upclick.com.

• Eric Gareau, CEO at Lulu Software (located in Montreal, Canada)
• Michael Dadoun, Principal at Solaria Fund (located in Montreal, Canada) and Co-Founder at Upclick.com (also Montreal, Canada)
• Calin Udrea, Marketing Director at Lavasoft, formerly Director of Marketing at UpClick

What is most interesting in this change is that there has not been a Lavasoft Press Release.  In fact, it has been rather quiet in Lava-Land with only one press report to date in 2011 and only a half-dozen blog posts to date in 2011. 

Could the silence be related to the less than stellar Web of Trust ratings of Lulu Software's Fixio PC Cleaner Software?

• WOT Lulu Software Scorecard: lulusoftware.com
• WOT Fixio PC Cleaner Scorecard: fixio-pc-cleaner.en.softonic.com

Since it has been well over six years since I used Ad-Aware, perhaps others have also switched to a different anti-malware software program.  Even the Support Forum is woefully quiet, with the current online list showing 0 members logged on to the Forums. 

Baseless speculation aside, the question remains:  Why all the silence about the acquisition?

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Introducing CarbonGrove by JacksonFishMarket

Do you remember the folks who created They're Beautiful the online virtual florist? Their latest creation is Carbon Grove. As described by Chris Flores in the Windows Vista Blog:

"Carbon Grove is a carbon footprint reduction reminder service that empowers users to reduce their impact on the environment, and through the use of Windows Internet Explorer 7 with Dynamic Security Protection, users can also help improve the internet environment. Internet Explorer 7 is architected with security features that help defend against malicious software (also known as malware) and better protect against the theft of personal data by fraudulent websites.

By participating in Carbon Grove's campaign, internet users nurture a virtual tree seedling and after six weeks of continued commitment to carbon reducing efforts, Internet Explorer will then sponsor the planting of a tree in a region of need around the world."

Help our environment. Head on over to CarbonGrove and follow the steps to plant a tree. While you're there, you can visit the Security Garden tree:

SecurityGarden tree at Carbon Grove

IE7 or IE8 beta & Silverlight Required.

References:

• CarbonGrove
• IE partners with American Forests for green Carbon Grove campaign
• Jackson Fish Market
• News From American Forests

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

For Silverlight Fans!

If you are a fan of Silverlight, Microsoft Technical Evangelist, Tim Sneath compiled a list of 50 Silverlight Applications (via The Road to Know Where).

For those not familiar with Silverlight, see Tim's post Introducing Microsoft Silverlight as well as other references below. Silverlight will support all major browsers on both Mac OS X and on Windows.

References:

• 50 Silverlight Applications
• Microsoft Silverlight
• Microsoft Silverlight PressPass
• Silverlight vs. Flash, The Developer Story

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...

Sunbelt Launches CounterSpy V2

With their usual "touch of class", Sunbelt launched CounterSpy V2, their next generation antispyware product. It is important to note is that users of Windows 98SE and ME will need to continue to use version 1.5, which is still available and will continue to be supported with definition updates. With those operating systems no longer supported by Microsoft for critical updates, I hope those users will be able to upgrade soon.

Very briefly, the key features include:

• Hybrid engine — CounterSpy uses a new hybrid engine, which incorporates our traditional antispyware engine with VIPRE, our new antivirus technology.
  
  
• It’s faster and more efficient
  
  
• Kernel-level Active Protection — Counterspy’s Active Protection(tm) now resides in the kernel — the core of the operating system.


• FirstScan — CounterSpy V2 also has FirstScan technology, which scans certain locations of the drive and removes malware prior to Windows launching. (FirstScan will only run when CounterSpy finds suspicious files).


• Vista support — CounterSpy V2 supports Vista 32 bit and integrates with the Vista Security Center. Support for 64-bit will be added in the forthcoming months.

You will want to read the complete details, available here. What I want to call your attention to is the Evolving the antimalware technology model which led to the newly released V2. I consider that article a "must read".

Unlike other vendors who find it necessary to bad-mouth the competition days before releasing their new software, Sunbelt has developed a software program for the future and introduced it with class.

Introducing CounterSpy V2
Evolving the antimalware technology model

Trackback

Gmer Download Locations

Gmer, a popular rootkit detection software, has been unavailable for download since some time in December, 2006. It appears that the rootkit scumware writers found the software too effective. The server hosting Gmer has been under a heavy and violent DDoS attack that successfully and completely blocked access to the download site. The host has deactivated the domain.

Other mirrors quickly underwent the same attack and had to remove the download. However, as Marco Giuliani reported, Gmer is available for download at MajorGeeks and here.

Vista Compatible Antivirus Software

Update 25 February 2007: See Vista Compatible Antivirus Software in Windows Vista Bookmarks for the most current information.

I discovered that the Microsoft page with Vista Compatible A/V software is now only available as a cached page via Google. Since Security Garden site statistics indicate this is a popular topic, the cached results are being added here for preservation. Descriptions of Sophos and Avast support for Vista can be found in the original post on Vista Compatible Antivirus Software.

I understand that F-PROT Antivirus, Version 6 is also Vista compatible.

Added 28Dec06: Kaspersky Maintenance Pack 2 is compatible with both 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows Vista.

Cached:

Free Trial Subscription from CA CA Anti-Virus 2007 helps provides comprehensive protection against viruses, worms, and Trojan horse programs for Windows Vista RC1 users. The easy-to-use interface and automatic daily updates make it effortless to maximize protection, and with quick scan times and efficient use of system resources, it won't bog down your computer. Certified by independent testing groups ICSA Labs, Virus Bulletin, and West Coast Labs, CA Anti-Virus 2007 is supported by worldwide 24x7 research labs that help ensure protection from the latest threats.

Free Trial Subscription from F-Secure F-Secure Corporation helps protect individuals and businesses against computer viruses and other threats coming through the Internet or mobile networks. Our award-winning solutions include antivirus, desktop firewall with intrusion prevention and network encryption. Our key strength is the speed of response to new threats. For businesses our solutions feature centralized management.

Free Trial Subscription from GRISOFT AVG has provided users with security solutions since 1991. Today, more than 40 million users worldwide trust GRISOFT’s AVG security products to help protect their computers. The unique combination of detection methods with low resource requirements provides maximum protection for your data. We seek to provide freedom for people to explore the Internet safely, so we provide strong antivirus protection to individuals for non-commercial use, free of charge.

Free Trial Subscription from Trend Micro Trend Micro is a long-established, global leader in antivirus and Internet content security software and services. Now with Windows Vista Beta support, Trend Micro's PC-cillin Internet Security provides comprehensive and easy to use protection for your computer and smartphone. Its advanced features go beyond standard antivirus and firewall protection, helping to safeguard your computer from new emerging threats like network viruses, spam e-mail, inappropriate Web content, and spyware programs.

Free Beta Trial of Windows Live OneCare from Microsoft Get continuous, real-time antivirus protection and more for your Windows Vista-based computer. Windows Live OneCare provides all-in-one service and care of your PC, with antivirus that is integrated with antispyware for an extra layer of security and convenience. In addition, OneCare provides a managed, two-way firewall and activates anti-phishing technology to help protect you from unwanted hackers, identity theft and online scams. Alongside all these powerful security features, OneCare will perform scheduled tune-ups to help optimize your PC's performance while giving you additional flexibility when backing up of all your most important files. Designed to be simple and automated, Windows Live OneCare is the perfect companion to your Windows Vista RC1 computer.

F-PROT Antivirus Support

Do you use FRISK Software's F-PROT Antivirus for your computer? If so, help and answers to your questions has become easier. The FRISK Team has started a support forum for F-PROT Antivirus Discussions. It is simple to register at the forum and post your question. Help is provided by staff from FRISK Software International.

The support forum will be particularly helpful should you have any questions when updating to the recently-released F-PROT Antivirus, Version 6.

Note that in addition to numerous Corporate packages, FRISK provides F-PROT Antivirus Software not just for Microsoft Windows operating systems, but also for open-source Linux and BSD. Both F-PROT Antivirus for Linux Workstations and F-PROT Antivirus for BSD Workstations are FREE for use personal users.

Update: The forum was formally announced at FRISK Software opens the F-PROT Antivirus discussion forum.

FileASSASSIN 1.00 from MalwareBytes

The creator of AboutBuster, E2TakeOut, Qoofix and RogueRemover has released a new tool, FileASSASSIN. FileASSASSIN can delete locked malware files on your computer, using advanced techniques to unload modules, close remote handles and terminate processes to allow the removal of the file.

FileASSASSIN is compatible with Windows 2000, NT and XP.

Instructions:

• Download FileASSASSIN (81 KB)

• Unzip to a new folder; i.e., C:\FileASSASSIN

• Navigate to the folder and unzip FileASSASSIN.exe

• Select the file to be unlocked/removed by dragging it to the text area or select the file using the ( . . . ) button to browse to the file location

• Select a removal method from the optional list

• Click delete to remove the file.
  

Links to all MalwareBytes Software:

• AboutBuster 6.05
• E2TakeOut 1.01
• Qoofix 1.04
• RogueRemover 1.03
• FileASSASSIN 1.00
  

Chat With Santa on Windows Live Messenger

Parents, if your children are too shy to sit on Santa's lap at the local mall, perhaps they would enjoy a live chat with him on Windows Live Messenger.

"REDMOND, Wash. — Dec. 13, 2006 — Ho, ho, ho! This year there is another way for kids to share Christmas wish lists with Santa Claus. Using Windows Live™ Messenger, parents can spend time with their kids chatting in real time with Santa online. Customers can simply add Santa’s address, Northpole@live.com, to their Windows Live Messenger contact list and instantly open a conversation window to communicate with Saint Nick. Kids will enjoy immediate responses from the jolly big man himself through an interactive online chat, and they can even visit Santa’s page on Windows Live Spaces at http://santaonspaces.spaces.live.com. Filling Santa in on Christmas wishes and asking all about how the reindeer are doing or what’s new at the North Pole are a few of the things kids can talk to Santa about. Santa can even tell kids where they stand on his list: naughty or nice.

Starting Christmas Eve morning, kids can check in with Santa through Windows Live Messenger to follow his journey around the world. As Santa circles the globe delivering gifts, kids who ask him where he is or when he will arrive at their house will be directed to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Santa-tracking site through a link in the conversation window. More information on chatting with Santa through Windows Live Messenger can be found at http://santaonmessenger.com."

Windows Live Messenger is available at http://messenger.live.com.

Source

Tidy Start Menu

I don't know about you, but the "Start Menu" on my computer was in such a state that it was almost impossible to find something. I installed "Tidy Start Menu" and, as the instructions indicated, "got to work". In a matter of minutes, the Start Menu on my computer went from an uncontrolled mess to an organization that meant something to me.

A nice feature of the software is that you can categorize everything in the Start Menu or only selected items. The free version has a fixed list of options but there are more available in the Pro version. You can create a backup of your existing Start Menu before beginning categorizing. However, even if you forget or want to re-arrange any categories, it is easy to reopen Tidy Start Menu and uncheck the software from its current category, open the correct category and select it there.

• Tidy Start Menu website - http://www.tidystartmenu.com/

• Download link - http://www.tidystartmenu.com/TidyStartMenu_Setup_freeware.exe
  
  
• Compatibility: Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows 2003, and Windows XP
  

• Program description -

Are you tired of searching for programs in a long "Start Menu" list? If so, this program is for you. It allows you to arrange all the shortcuts in the Start Menu. Your Start Menu looks neat, and you can easily and quickly find any program you want. For example, you can create a special "Games" category, and when opening the Start Menu you will see a "Games" section (instead of a list of the games) in which you will find the game you need.

WinPatrol Plus -- 30-Day Trial

Everything certainly is "coming up roses" with WinPatrol Plus!

A first ever event -- Bill Pytlovany is offering a 30-day trail for WinPatrol Plus. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to try the Plus version of WinPatrol. If, at the end of the trial period you do not wish to pay the modest fee, the free version will still be available.

Complete information and download link for the 30-day trial are available in Bits from Bill: WinPatrol 30 Day Trial.

"NeatNetTricks" REALLY Likes WinPatrol!

Anyone who has been reading this blog for any length of time knows that I am a fan of WinPatrol. Today, as I was revising some sites I like to keep track of but frequently miss due to time constraints, I discovered that the folks at NeatNetTricks recently reviewed WinPatrol.

Here are just a couple tidbits from the review:

"Of all the programs that I have used help one know more about what is going on in your computer (the good, the bad and the ugly), this one is my favorite."

"WinPatrol performs excellently, replacing the need for several programs to accomplish what it does in its easy-to-use manner."

"Interestingly, this is one of the very few third-party software programs that I have ever seen Microsoft Support actually promote on one of its Help and Support pages as a possible cure for a slow-running Windows operating system http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;898583. This in and of itself may speak more favorably of WinPatrol than anything a reviewer can say."

Unlike reviews found in the major online PC Journals, I have found the comments at NeatNetTricks Software Reviews to be completely unbiased. The reviewers receive no compensation for their time, but rather are committed to providing their honest opinion of the software under consideration. I think you'll enjoy what they have to say.

"The Neat Net Tricks Software Review Panel is comprised of eight or nine members who have agreed to the formidable task of putting a selected piece of software to a thorough testing, then writing an in-depth report about the results. Panel members come from all walks of life and share but one common goal: to report on software without bias so that you can be forewarned and forearmed before you choose to try the program.

Our Software Review Panel serves anonymously without compensation, except for the complimentary registered software that they use in performing their evaluation. Companies agree to provide this software at no cost to our Panel in return for the exposure our reports provide their products. There is no guarantee made to the software producer that the review will be flattering. Each report "tells it like it is", or at least how the reviewer sees it. There is often even dissension among Panel members writing about the same product, so in the final analysis it's up to you, the end-user, for the final determination whether the software is worth the price."

NeatNetTricks Software Reviews
WinPatrol Review

IE7 -- "Bits from Bill" and Other Internet Explorer 7 News

There will be a lot of information available on the newly relased Internet Explorer 7 over the coming weeks. I will do my best to consolidate key information here in the Security Garden.

Included at the bottom of this posting are a number of references that you may find helpful.

• WinPatrol Notes

Bill Pytlovany installed IE7 on his WinPatrol studio computers. For information on the changes you need be alerted to and information from the WinPatrol Plus database see "Bits from Bill: IE7 changes include IEFrame.dll". I suspect we will get further updates in "Bits from Bill".

• IE 7 First Run Screen

Microsoft MVP Sandi Hardmeier documented what needs to be done if you experience problems with "The new Internet Explorer first run screen". Also keep an eye on Sandi's website, IE-Vista for help in learning about and using the new features in IE7.

• First IE7 Advisory Issued and Refuted
  

Although not critical, Secunia issued Advisory 22477 described as follows:

"A vulnerability has been discovered in Internet Explorer, which can be exploited by malicious people to disclose potentially sensitive information.

The vulnerability is caused due to an error in the handling of redirections for URLs with the "mhtml:" URI handler. This can be exploited to access documents served from another web site.

Secunia has constructed a test, which is available at: Secunia

Secunia has confirmed the vulnerability on a fully patched system with Internet Explorer 7.0 and Microsoft Windows XP SP2. Other versions may also be affected."

Secunia's recommended work-around is to disable active scripting support. Microsoft Security Response Center has addressed this indicating:

"These reports are technically inaccurate: the issue concerned in these reports is not in Internet Explorer 7 (or any other version) at all. Rather, it is in a different Windows component, specifically a component in Outlook Express. While these reports use Internet Explorer as a vector the vulnerability itself is in Outlook Express."

• IE7 Phishing Filter

One thing is certain, the IE7 phishing filter cannot come too soon. Note, however, that it is not turned on by default. (See IE-Vista Phishing Filter for instructions and information on how the Phishing Filter works.) The Register reported yesterday that a "Trojan download site spoofs IE7 release outlet":

"Hackers have created a bogus Internet Explorer 7 download site that attempts to load Trojan code onto the PCs of visiting surfers.

Traffic to the malicious website is being driven by a spoofed email message, claiming to be from support@microsoft.com, offering a link to download Release Candidate 1 (RC1) of Microsoft Internet Explorer 7."

• Automatic Updates

As pointed out several times, Internet Explorer 7 will be delivered via Automatic Updates. However, it was with relief when reading reading Canuk's CyberNews4You update on Internet Explorer 7, that I followed a link to Tech Web and happily learned the following:

"The IE 7 update will also not add to the burden of Microsoft's monthly security patch delivery, scheduled for Nov. 14, promised Cobb. 'We won't do it on Patch Tuesday.'"

That in itself is a relief for the 40 percent or so of Americans who are still using a dial-up connection! However, that is not to say that IE7 may be delivered to your computer earlier. As we are reminded in the IE Blog,

"To help you become more secure and up-to-date, we will distribute IE7 via Automatic Updates as a high-priority update. We will start very soon with those of you who are already running IE7 pre-releases and then move onto IE6 users after a few weeks. We will progressively roll out to all IE6 users over a few months, so don’t be surprised if you don’t see the update right away."

• IE7 Support
  

The other good news I learned from the Tech Web article is that Microsoft will be establishing toll-free telephone support for IE 7:

"Beginning Thursday, Microsoft will open a free, toll-free support line for IE 7. The help desk will be manned Monday through Friday 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. PDT, and on weekends from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. PDT."

See Time and Date for converting PDT time to your local time zone.

• References

IE-Vista
IE Blog
Internet Explorer 7 Home
Internet Explorer 7 Support
Internet Explorer 7 Community
IE7 Quick Reference Sheet
IE7 Release Notes
Information Index for IE7
The Microsoft Internet Explorer Developer Center

WinPatrol Update

Bill Pytlovany issued a maintenance release version of WinPatarol 10. Unless you have had the problems addressed, updating to 10.0.5 is not required.

• WinPatrol registry functions enhanced to handle over-zealous registry cleaners.

Improper use of Registry Cleaners can cause Scotty to repeatedly ask permission for system changes.

• Build Tools updated to Microsoft Visual Studios 2005.
  

In theory, this shouldn't break anything. Adds a few KB to the program size but so far benchmarks indicate faster performance.

• PLUS Tab Search available on Free versions to support future promotions.
  

When you click on the PLUS tab there's a input box that allows you to search on any program name. This is now displayed on Free versions so it will be available in the future.

• Our alternate Installshield Setup program is now used as our default setup. This version is slightly larger than our original default setup but is more compatible with newer systems.
  

Product Info: WinPatrol 10
Direct Download: Download WinPatrol 10.0.5

If you don't have WinPatrol on your computer, check out the great features here. You won't be sorry you have Scotty on Patrol!

Scarecrow for Your Garden, WinPatrol for Your PC

A scarecrow may help protect your garden, but it certainly won't do much for your computer. However, it has just gotten a bit easier to protect your home computer with WinPatrol. Bill Pytlovany made the PLUS knowledge base freely accessible for the month of September.

As indicated in Bits from Bill: New Students Need Protection:

No download or software change is required.

No Email registration, or your mothers maiden name required.

As of today, anyone with the free version of WinPatrol can access PLUS information.Over the years we’ve built quite the database which has now grown to over 13,000 program files. Our success/request ratio is at 93%. I’ve always tried to make sure the free version of WinPatrol remains valuable and I hope this helps. If we continue to get such great support it could be a permanent feature.

Have you ever opened Windows Task Manager and looked at the long list of running processes on your computer? Did you wonder what those names represented and if they were necessary? No need to wonder with the PLUS Knowledge Base. See a sample of the "plain English" explanation of ctfmon.exe

Scotty, the Windows Watch Dog, is on patrol in my garden!

I Met "Scotty" Today!

It seems that every time I wear my WinPatrol Plus shirt, someone asks me if I have a "Scotty" dog. Of course, my response is something to the effect that I have WinPatrol Plus with "Scotty on Patrol". The conversation will then generally lead to questions about WinPatrol.

The conversation went a bit differently this morning. As I was loading the produce I had just purchased in my car outside the local farm market, the person getting in the neighboring car asked me if I have a Scotty dog. I explained that I have two Borders and that my shirt is for WinPatrol. I don't believe the young man heard a word I said. His face lite up and he quickly informed me that he has a Scotty and asked if I wanted to meet him. By that time he was climbing into the front seat of his car and I had finished loading my purchases. Before I could say a word, he reached across the passenger seat and opened the car door. Sure enough, there was a full-grown Scotty, looking just like Bill Pytlovany's WinPatrol Scotty! Gotta love it.

Scotty's on Patrol

An upgrade has been released for WinPatrol, making the current version 10.0.3. The revision was to provide minor requested enhancements and fix a couple of problems. Although it is a generally a good idea to upgrade to the latest software release, this upgrade is not required, but recommended if you have encountered errors.

The upgrade includes the following issues that have been fixed:

• Fixed issue with the Info dialog when not using the default 96 DPI display property.

If you’ve changed your Display properties to greater than the default 96 DPI the Info/Properties dialog may have appeared to be chopped off. This problem only occurred after we made the Info dialog expandable.

• Buffer Overflow crash may occur when using "Delete on Reboot".
  
  

A couple builds ago we added extremely tight buffer overflow control for security reasons.(More Info) It’s possible in previous versions of WinPatrol a buffer overflow occurred when using Delete on Reboot and we never caught it. Now we get an error dialog so we were able to resolve this issue immediately. If this bug affects your machine you’ll know immediately.

• Feature Request: Added -NoOpen parameter to WinPatrol.exe.
  

Normally, running WinPatrol.exe a second time will launch the tabbed interface, WinPatrolEx.exe. Using user controlled process launchers such as Sudo for Windows can cause the interface to open when launching a 2nd WinPatrol process. Adding -NoOpen to WinPatrol will resolve this issue.

Winpatrol 10

Scotty's on Patrol in My Garden!

As I wrote in "The Weed Barrier", WinPatrol is one of my favorite software programs. As you can see, Scotty is always on patrol in my garden.

BillP recently released WinPatrol 10. In this latest version of WinPatrol, Scotty can monitor hidden files in critical system areas. This "real-time" detection and elimination is particularly important with the increase in root-kits and new types of malware infiltration that target hidden files.

WinPatrol Plus now monitors even more non-tradition startup locations found in the registry. With WinPatrol Plus, license holders can disable unwanted programs including the Windows Genuine Advantage (For my comments on the WGA Notification tool, see "Garden Phone?".)

There are many more new features in WinPatrol 10. Learn more about the new and improved WinPatrol 10 features directly from BillP at Bits from Bill: WinPatrol 10.

To have Scotty on patrol in your garden, download the newest WinPatrol from http://www.winpatrol.com/download.html.

The Weed Barrier

Ok, you have this great computer with a firewall and up-to-date antivirus software. You've recovered from a major infection, have completed Windows Updates and still do not feel comfortable that you can keep the weeds out of your computer.

I am sorry to say, but you are right. It does take more to protect your investment. Let's start with Tony Klein's "So how did I get infected in the first place?" for important tips on how to prevent future infections. There is also a lot of helpful information in my friend, the Phantom Phixer's "Mitch's Good Stuff" with tutorials at "Ghosts Markers".


Install and update both SpywareBlaster & SpyGuard to prevent the installation of spyware and other potentially unwanted software. If you use Internet Explorer, IE-Spyad will add thousands of sites into your IE restricted zone. Then again, you may want to check out alternative browsers, such as FireFox or Opera. Another useful program is StartupMonitor, which will warn you when somethings tries to sneak in.

A favorite of mine is WinPatrol. It is hard to go wrong with Scotty on Patrol!