John Dvorak recently wrote a column for PC Magazine titled, “Panic over Spyware“. This got me thinking about the problem and my own battle with these nasty programs that occasionally make it onto my system. If you download “warez” or program “cracks” you’re a prime target for the purveyors of this crap. Even if you just download a P2P application like Kazaa or Bearshare you’ve added several spyware or adware programs even before you begin downloading the latest U2 mp3.

Here are a few recommendations for avoiding Spyware and Adware:

1. Know what you’re installing – Sounds simple enough but most people think they have to download and install a rogue program before they get into trouble. That’s not the case. Many spyware and adware program “piggyback” on better known programs. If you quickly click through the install process or disregard the EULA, you’ll never see what gets installed until it’s too late. If a friend gives you a program to try out and you know nothing about it, don’t just install it. Head over to Download.com and see if the program in question has been reviewed, and most of the time they will tell you if the program contains any spyware or adware.

2. Avoid “Warez” and”cracked” programs, keygens, and other pirated programs – Some of the worst spyware or adware you’ll encounter is hidden inside “crack” codes that look harmless but can wreak havoc on your system. No matter how careful you are you’re playing with fire if you’re installing these regularly. It’s just a matter of time before you’ll be rebuilding your system.

3. Beware free programs – I run a few free programs like Messenger Plus that contain adware but allow the user to opt out during installation. But Messenger Plus is in the minority here. Many free programs will bundle all sorts of crap in exchange for allowing you to use their program for free. Not all free programs are like this but many are. Again, if in doubt, learn what you can about the program from Download.com or Google to see if others have had issues.

4. Install a software firewall – You’ll want a program like ZoneAlarm from Zonelabs that monitors two way communication and allows you to block traffic from individual programs. If you’re on a broadband connection, a hardware firewall is a given.

5. Run a good virus program – There are number of reputable programs available. I’ve settled on eTrust due to frequent signature updates and low memory usage. Make sure you’ve downloaded the latest virus signature as well.

6. Install and use Ad-Aware and Spybot Search and Destroy – These are two free program that will greatly assist in keeping your system clean. RegCleaner is another program I’ve used that’s been able to locate and remove spyware remnants.

7. Bag IE and switch to Firefox as your primary browser – Tired of random menu bars showing up in IE or having your homepage changed without your permission? Give IE and its ActiveX controls the boot. I only use IE because MS has locked down “Windows Update” to only work with their browser.

What programs do you use to fight spyware and adware?

A number of people replied to my post yesterday concerning my disappointment with the online music services. Some were more helpful than others in figuring out if iTunes would meet my needs. I downloaded the latest version of iTunes for Windows, version 4.7 and started testing it out. Here are my impressions:

1. iTunes is an easy to use, well laid out program. It was easy to import my mp3 files, create and edit playlist and convert a few mp3s into CD audio.

2. The converstion of mp3 into CD audio and then burning a playlist to CD was even easier than using MusicMatch.

3. The iTunes catalog is very well organized and pleasant to use. I like being able to view other peoples playlist and rate them. I also enjoy being able to see the top 200 songs, Billboard Charts and top radio hits. iTunes makes finding new music fun and easy.

4. It’s very easy to print CD inserts. I know many other programs do this as well, but I haven’t seen as many options as iTunes offers. Very well executed.

5. Mp3s sound pretty good without a DSP plug-ins. At this point I’ll probably stick with Quintessential Player for basic mp3 playback but the iTunes environment is quite nice.

6. The Deal Breaker: iTunes still only works with the iPod which is unfortunate. Don’t tell me to just go buy an iPod because I did own one and I found it lacking.

Overall I’m very impressed with iTunes but until Apple decides to play nice with other mp3 players, I won’t be purchasing any music from it which is too bad because it has a lot to offer. I’ll stick with ripping my own CD collection, buying new and used CDs and downloading the occasional single from P2P communities.

I plan to take a took at Napster and MusicMatch over the coming weeks.

One of the best purchases I made this past year was on a quality pair of headphones from Grado Labs. After reading dozens of reviews on products from Sony, Sennheiser, Grado and others I decided the Grado SR80 fit the bill. The first time I plugged them into my Audigy 2 soundcard I was blown away by their sound quality. They also sound wonderful matched with my iRiver H-120 mp3 player. If you’re listening to your music collection on a set of headphones that came with your mp3 player, do your ears a favor and test out a good quality set of headphones.

Can someone give me a good reason why I should use iTunes, Napster, MusicMatch or any number of only music services? With Apple announcing the 200 millionth song download there must be a lot of people who don’t mind purchasing restricted music. When I purchase a CD I rip it immediately on my home computer so I can share it over my home network. I occasionally rip it at work so I don’t have to tote the CD back and forth. The CD eventually ends up either in the car or in the CD rack so I can listen to it over our home stereo system. Can someone tell me how I’d be able to do this with music purchased from iTunes or any other “legal” music service?

What happens if I purchase a dozen songs from iTunes and my hard drive crashes? Wouldn’t you think since I purchased the song already I’d just need to fire up iTunes and download the song again for free? Sorry, my only option is to repurchase all those songs again. There have never been so many music services yet still so few options which allow me to listen and share my music as I desire.

Part of the fun in purchasing new music is sharing it with friends. When I was in high school I’d head over to my friends house who had a large collection of albums. I’d purchase a blank cassette and dub a compilation of my favorite songs. Sort of a 1980’s playlist if you will. Much of the enjoyment came from listening and sharing music with my friends.

Do these music services really think I’m going to pay a buck a song and then pay extra for the privilege of copying it to my iRiver H-120 or burning it to CD-R? I want to pay for the music I enjoy and I have over in the years while amassing a CD collection numbering into the 800s. But I’m tired of paying $16 for one of two decent songs and another eight filler songs that suck. I’ll continue to rip and share my mp3 collection with friends and family. When I come across music I enjoy I purchase the CD even though I understand very little of my purchase price makes it back to the artist.

Update: Some people have taken my post as a rip on Apple. That wasn’t my intention at all. It appears that iTunes is a nice service if you own an iPod. But I can’t imagine buying a CD and being told it only works on one brand of CD player. That’s what I feel Apple is telling its customers. iTunes sounds like an impressive alternative but it needs to be opened up for those people who have chosen to go the non-iPod route. There are many reasons for chosing another brand of mp3 player. My iRiver requires no drivers to run under Windows XP, has an FM tuner, voice recorder, and an awesome LCD remote. I’m glad Apple doesn’t sell gasoline or they’d tell me it would only work with the Apple iCar. 🙂

How has Apple been able to create a portable music device that’s become the “must have” gift this year? And why hasn’t anyone else been able to create much buzz around their player? The Rio Carbon appears to be the only other mp3 player I hear or read anything about. I just can’t believe that the iPod is so much better than anything else available. So why is everyone talking almost exclusively about the iPod? Even Scoble begged Gates to get in the game with a cool player. Here are my thoughts:

The iPod is Sexy – It exudes style and if you’re going to be carrying it around in public you might as well look cool. Even the white earphones (as terrible as they sound) look pretty hip.

iPod ads are Unique – The bold, two color ads are memorable if a little too “in your face” for me. I’ve seen the ads parodied around the web and people remember them.

Tons of Accessories – From designer cases to speakers, nothing comes close to offering the number of add-ons or accessories for your iPod.

Sense of Community – From iPodLounge to the many other websites where iPod owners congregate and discuss their obsession, there’s a sense of belonging to an exclusive club when you purchase an iPod.

Apple Stores – I’ve never owned a Mac but I can’t keep myself out of the Apple stores when I visit the mall. They are so open and bright and I can’t keep my hands off the products. Many retailers keep the mp3 players behind glass or on a leash. Seldom do they have them out to test drive. Apple, on the other hand, has the iPod near the entrance and they make them easy to test drive.

I owned a 2nd generation iPod for a couple of weeks. Maybe my experience with the device would have been more enjoyable had I owned a Mac and been accustomed to iTunes. But as the owner of a PC running Windows XP, I found working with the iPod driver and MusicMatch software an exercise in frustration. I refuse to own an mp3 player that requires extra software just to move files back and forth between the device and my PC.

I eBay’d my iPod and eventually purchased an iRiver H-120 which I just love. It doesn’t have nearly as many accessories and might not look as cool as an iPod, but it’s a fabulous little player. It’s recognized as an additional drive under Windows XP, doesn’t require any special software to transfer files back and forth and had the coolest LCD remote you’ve ever seen. It’s been one of the best items I’ve purchased in years. I’m not sure it’s the device I’d buy for my parents, for for the technically savvy, it rocks.