Symantec has stopped distributing free threat-specific removal tools, it seems. Most of the protection programs out there are commercial or shareware, some of them rapaciously so. (Like Symantec’s, which threatens fire and brimstone if one tries to uninstall their product.) There is not a single free or open source program I could find that will do full real-time threat protection.

Google, a partner of the StopBadware effort, distributes two in Google Pack: Spyware Doctor and a Norton (that is, Symantec) tool. Both require that the user “upgrade” to a paid product before they will deign to provide full protection. And doing a Google search for advice on manual removal is nearly a hopeless cause, so loaded with SEO spam for shareware removal tools are those search terms.

If BadWareBusters really wants to do something about the scourge of malware, they should start by providing users with good open source tools and practical protection and removal information.

Do we really need to add “badware” to the mix of “malware”, “spyware”, “trojans”, etc.?

“Badware is software that fundamentally disregards a user’s choice regarding how his or her computer will be used. You may have heard of some types of badware, such as spyware, malware, or deceptive adware. Common examples of badware include free screensavers that surreptitiously generate advertisements, malicious web browser toolbars that take your browser to different pages than the ones you expect, or keylogger programs that can transmit your personal data to malicious parties.”

The latter is very concerning but some are just annoyances. People should be allowed to opt out of installing yet another IE toolbar. There are people who like Weatherbug. Yes, I know, it’s odd but apparently true.

You haven’t lived until you’ve tried to help fix the PC of a friend of a friend who’s IE toolbar is an inch thick, their desktop littered with links to crapware and their tool tray stuffed with still more junk. It’s a nightmare ah tells ya.

Running an SPI firewall on their Internet uplink is also a major improvement. Anything that runs DD-WRT will likely suffice.

BadwareBusters strive to do exactly what you’re looking for John. But not exactly as you want it done.

I agree with the notion that another term for malware isn’t really a good idea, but badware covers so much more than just the malicious software that you all hate so much.

Who would think that security software downloaded from a bank would be bad? – I do, expecially if it involves a root kit that can’t be uninstalled. – Now that isn’t covered by the malware definitions you’ve listed here so far.

But at badwarebusters we do much more. With an active community we help everyone from webmasters with sites infected to users that have been infected by anything strange. We try to identify and help getting rid of the problem and use the tools available. We’re not planning on creating yet another tool or removal software – there’s plenty of that available – but we’re helping to use the resources that are already present.

Everyone is invited to join us, just for comments, or seeking help and advice. Having Stopbadware and Comunity Report Web Watch as our “mentors” will help us, and you, make the concerns of everyone part of the solution that you’re seeking.