The Horror of unprotected computing
Sunday, May 1, 2005 by Chef Garry | Discussion: Personal Computing
A friend asked me to give him a hand with his computer. The printer stopped working. Simple I thought, delete and reinstall then wine and a visit. Ha.
As he's got a wireless network, I figured I'd make sure that wasn't the problem so I opened his browser. It took 2 minutes to open a page. Linked to another site, still a minute or so. Time to check his programs file.
No spy ware blocking, no virus protection, no firewall. However his daughter had installed (3 users all with admin privilege) Kazaa. I downloaded a virus/firewall suite, MS Antispyware, Spyware blaster, Spybot and new drivers for his printer. 3 hours later, all was installed. We removed over 200 bits of spyware. I didn't have time to wait for the virus scan but left him directions.
Oh yeah, I removed Kazaa and made all users limited except Max and his account is password protected so his daughter can't go there again. Upside - I'm reminded just why I'm so anal about clearing my machine regularly. I still need to go back to install CCleaner to sweep his registry, defrag and like that. Never actually did get to his printer.
As he's got a wireless network, I figured I'd make sure that wasn't the problem so I opened his browser. It took 2 minutes to open a page. Linked to another site, still a minute or so. Time to check his programs file.
No spy ware blocking, no virus protection, no firewall. However his daughter had installed (3 users all with admin privilege) Kazaa. I downloaded a virus/firewall suite, MS Antispyware, Spyware blaster, Spybot and new drivers for his printer. 3 hours later, all was installed. We removed over 200 bits of spyware. I didn't have time to wait for the virus scan but left him directions.
Oh yeah, I removed Kazaa and made all users limited except Max and his account is password protected so his daughter can't go there again. Upside - I'm reminded just why I'm so anal about clearing my machine regularly. I still need to go back to install CCleaner to sweep his registry, defrag and like that. Never actually did get to his printer.
_02
Reply #3 Sunday, May 1, 2005 10:30 AM
Reply #3 Sunday, May 1, 2005 10:30 AM
I can't believe with all the advertizing and threads like these about protecting our computers, there are still people out there surfing without it.It's not like they can't afford it. There are so many good, free progs out there like MS anti spyware, AdAware, Spybot, Zone Alarm, and the list goes on. 
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
Reply #1 Sunday, May 1, 2005 9:15 AM
I think I might give it a try... making the list that is, of trusted programs to fix the computer and keep it fixed.
... and why haven't you joined KnowledgeNet!!!