Getting Infected
![zd-defaultauthor-richard-stiennon.jpg](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/77b56c2922720d92114790683a18bfb44e1586a5/2014/12/04/a57365f1-7b6f-11e4-9a74-d4ae52e95e57/zd-defaultauthor-richard-stiennon.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=192&width=192)
I was asked to demonstrate spyware today so last night I spent about 15 minutes visiting a bunch of sites. First I had to turn off Spy Sweeper, then I had to comment out my host.txt file because it does not even let me visit these sites. Then I installed a screen saver, several tool bars, and "drove by" some nasty sites. Then for the ultimate invasion of garbage I visited www.slotchbar.com (WARNING, DO NOT VISIT THIS SITE UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED FOR THE CONSEQUENCES)
Now my browsing experince is hilariously ludicrous. Try to visit "Expedia" and I get a side window for links to other travel sites and a pop-under for Travelocity. The adware associated with each of the tool bars compete to pop up ads. Sometimes one pop-up will spawn "contextual" advertising from another vendor.
A quick scan of my PC reveals 39 pieces of adware and over 9,000 traces!
I can't wait to do the demo so I can get my computer back.