Spyware scanner.

[whargoul]

The twist is one that is effective in indentifying any installed programs that bring the spyware/adware along with it rather than just indentifying the specific spyware that is present. I'm not sure if any such thing exists.

[avx]

You mean something like spyware, that find the spyware, and tells you what program it came with, or what it usally comes with?

This looked kind of helpful:
http://www.dwoz.com/default.asp?Pr=302

[whargoul]

Yup that's what I meant. It's a good start, but an actual scanner would be even nicer.