Shows you how desperate the scumware situation is now - I received an invitation from Ziff Davis to purchase a comparative review of anti-spyware products for the bargain price of only US $299.00.

I'm charging anywhere from $40 to $160 per machine (depending on difficulty and ability to pay) to clean this stuff up so long as it's done in my shop (straight time otherwise). I'm getting jobs every week, but it's time to start looking for root kits too so I'll be adding to my tool kit.

Toughest ones are Windows Me which takes a whole lot of effort to get Microsoft Update working. The Internet Explorer update process rarely works without skilled intervention.

Stores are charging $300 to format and reinstall, destroying all data in the process, so my charges are easily defensible and customers are paying without complaint.