Well damn. What do I come to work for, then?

So, sometime back at work, they swapped two PCs: a “public” computer in the newsroom, frequently used by photogs, cam ops, or anyone else, and seldom used to actually look at anything work-related; and the specially equipped computer I used to send video to the station’s web site. Now I have to go to the newsroom and chase people off of the web video machine so I can do what I need to do there, and in the meantime, I now have in my office the buggiest, most spyware-and-virus-filled machine I think I have ever set eyes on.
Simply having the thing turned on is a hazard. The spyware that’s embedded deep into the machine’s brain constantly tries to pop up browser windows, even while the machine is sitting, unattended, with an empty desktop and no programs running. And then a browser will open of its own accord and try to go to a specific URL. That’s when the mighty Hearst-Argyle content filter kicks in to strut its funky stuff:

In the time it took me to type this, the above window popped up no fewer than six times. 😆 And just think – the same cam ops and photogs who got this ex-newsroom machine so clogged with malware that it can barely function? They’re now doing the same to a machine that’s vital to the operation and security of our website content!
Yes, this switcheroo was a brilliant plan.