The first few minutes in XP, viruses, adware, spyware.

[diametric]

Bah! This is the reason I switched. Never going back in there unless I have to. The viruses won't touch my Mac Partition will they? I formatted using NTFS.

/rant end.

[pianoman]

you've only been using windows a few minutes and you have viruses already? you must be doing something wrong. stick with a mac.

[quicksilver77]

Or stay off computers all together.

[knopix]

You're not using IE are you? in that case you have no excuse.

[jamesW135]

I Installed windows and noticed my mac going a tad slower than usual. This was probably normal but it gave me an exuse to uninstall crappy windblows.;)

[plinden]

When installing Windows on any system, it pays to:
1. Download the install files for AVG free, Spybot, and Ad-Aware using a secure computer like your Mac, and copy them to a USB drive or CD-ROM. Pre-SP2, I would have also recommended a firewall like ZoneAlarm. I don't think you need this with SP2.
2. Either do the installation behind a router, which will act as a firewall, or disconnect the computer from the network.
3. On successful installation, install AVG, Spybot and Ad-Aware.
4. Make sure the firewall is at its must secure settings. Connect to the internet and run software update from IE.
5. Close down IE, AND NEVER USE IT AGAIN EXCEPT FOR SOFTWARE UPDATE.

[kainjow]

Um are you directly connected to the internet on a broadband connection? I would never connect a PC to the internet directly, always through a router with its firewall connected. I use IE occasionally on my PC and never have any problems (I don't run any virus protection stuff). You just have to be careful, which 99% of PC users aren't and that's why they get this crap.

[Sam*]

You were obvioulsy doing something wrong to have viruses, adware and spyware in a few mins,

What did you go go on porn sites and such things like that which are full of shite,

[Yvan256]

To be honest, an unpatched Windows XP install connected directly to the internet without a firewall will get infected, with no interaction whatsoever from the user.

[contoursvt]

To be honest, an unpatched Windows XP install connected directly to the internet without a firewall will get infected, with no interaction whatsoever from the user.
This is true, but as long as someone does a small amount of research, they can avoid problems. I actually dont run AV on my computer. Once a month I go check online using trend's housecall and I always come up with no viruses.

I dont surf porn or download warez on the box or go to suspect sites or open emails with attachements from people I dont know. Been running for 1.5 years with no AV. I do have a firewall/router which is a must and I'm always patched (router is a sonicwall btw).

[darwen]

Welcome to windows.

[viccles]

Ok I was going to attempt bootcamp/parallels but this has changed my mind! Too much hassle

[aaron.lee2006]

To be honest, an unpatched Windows XP install connected directly to the internet without a firewall will get infected, with no interaction whatsoever from the user.

It takes a total of 10 Seconds before you can be infected.

[iUserz]

I can't remember which virus, but the good ol one that says 'your computer will restart in 60 seconds', if you don't turn off the vulnerability before connecting to a network/internet connection it can happen in less than 5 minutes.

[Mav451]

Most of those stories involve pre-SP1 computers. I remember reading about the Blaster Worm in the paper on a golfing trip, and laughing at all the people who didn't already download that patch.

And this was 2-3 weeks AFTER Symantec had been screaming about this all over the 'Net. After SP1, the Blaster worm hot-fix was already included. And likewise, with SP2 Integrated, you have even less to worry about. What I think MS should do is to make sure XP Vanilla's and XP SP1's are no longer being sold anywhere. Installing outdated software is a big no-no...but then again, I doubt MS will really care to make an effort to prevent this.

[bousozoku]

To be honest, an unpatched Windows XP install connected directly to the internet without a firewall will get infected, with no interaction whatsoever from the user.

Yes, before SP2 and the firewall being active right away, the newspaper USA Today said that their Windows XP machine was completely turned into a zombie in about 4 minutes.

It always pays to prepare to protect yourself.

[iUserz]

Most of those stories involve pre-SP1 computers. I remember reading about the Blaster Worm in the paper on a golfing trip, and laughing at all the people who didn't already download that patch.

And this was 2-3 weeks AFTER Symantec had been screaming about this all over the 'Net. After SP1, the Blaster worm hot-fix was already included. And likewise, with SP2 Integrated, you have even less to worry about. What I think MS should do is to make sure XP Vanilla's and XP SP1's are no longer being sold anywhere. Installing outdated software is a big no-no...but then again, I doubt MS will really care to make an effort to prevent this.


and what about the people who bought their machine from dell before SP2 was released? should dell be shipping out SP2 disks to replace all the SP1 disks out there? whenever I reformat my PC i disconnect it from the network before i set it up, but I still have to go online to download virus software, upgrade to sp2 and install windows defender...by the time i've installed the stuff i scan it and i'm already infected!

[aristobrat]

whenever I reformat my PC i disconnect it from the network before i set it up, but I still have to go online to download virus software, upgrade to sp2 and install windows defender...by the time i've installed the stuff i scan it and i'm already infected!
You'll either need to burn a CD that has those tools on them so you won't have to connect to the internet the next time that you reformat, or use a DSL/cable router that has a firewall built in.

I can't believe that people still connect their systems (regardless of the OS) directly to the Interent! :eek:

It's cool how Vista and the latest Server 2003 won't allow any incoming connections to your computer until after you've told it that it's OK, although it'll let YOU make outgoing connections. You can Windows Update away and nothing on the Internet can connect to you. :)

[Mav451]

and what about the people who bought their machine from dell before SP2 was released? should dell be shipping out SP2 disks to replace all the SP1 disks out there? whenever I reformat my PC i disconnect it from the network before i set it up, but I still have to go online to download virus software, upgrade to sp2 and install windows defender...by the time i've installed the stuff i scan it and i'm already infected!

This is another thing that MS should provide to all its users...but of course doesn't.

Autopatcher (http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=486480).

Self contained program that has all the patches/hot-fixes/etc. that MS would usually force you to download through their Windows Update website. Again, why MS doesn't give users this option in the first place is beyond me.

[iUserz]

or use a DSL/cable router that has a firewall built in.
yup, I do that, but unfortunately not everybody knows to do that =/

[quote]This is another thing that MS should provide to all its users...but of course doesn't.

Autopatcher.

Self contained program that has all the patches/hot-fixes/etc. that MS would usually force you to download through their Windows Update website. Again, why MS doesn't give users this option in the first place is beyond me[.quote]
agreed, which is why I'm switching :D