Stop using IE, start using FireFox or Mozilla from Mozilla.org, and install ad-adware + spybot. Done.
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Need PC advice - don't kill me
- Thread starter OldManJimbo
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The best thing I can recommend is telling her to stop downloading random things. That is one of the worst things I've noticed you can do. Both of my sisters have ruined their PCs more than once because they keep downloading stupid internet programs, clicking on banners that say "win money!", and clicking on every little thing. You need to tell her what she can do and what she has to stay away from if you want to make sure that a lot of spyware and pop up ads stay off the system.
Linux could be a solution..
If she's computer savvy install linux on this dell.
If she is using it for browsing, writing and +++ this could be a solution.
Running Mandrake linux (or another standard RedHat in KDE environment) is almost as using xp or osx.
Mozilla and OpenOffice is included included with most large builds and then you'll have almost everything you'll need.
-tb
12-inch powerbook shipping on or before 24/08/04
If she's computer savvy install linux on this dell.
If she is using it for browsing, writing and +++ this could be a solution.
Running Mandrake linux (or another standard RedHat in KDE environment) is almost as using xp or osx.
Mozilla and OpenOffice is included included with most large builds and then you'll have almost everything you'll need.
-tb
12-inch powerbook shipping on or before 24/08/04
http://someonewhocares.org/hosts/
Use the host file. If you use this in conjunction with Firefox, I can guarantee you won't need to run Spybot/Ad-aware or whatever choice of spyware removal programs very often.
I recommend Spybot b/c of the "Immunize" button + Host file + Firefox is essentially triple-layer protection (and that's not even counting a firewall). Its what I use, I haven't had spyware/popups since July 2003--which is when I switched (permanently) to Firefox =D
Use the host file. If you use this in conjunction with Firefox, I can guarantee you won't need to run Spybot/Ad-aware or whatever choice of spyware removal programs very often.
I recommend Spybot b/c of the "Immunize" button + Host file + Firefox is essentially triple-layer protection (and that's not even counting a firewall). Its what I use, I haven't had spyware/popups since July 2003--which is when I switched (permanently) to Firefox =D
Powerbook G5 said:
This is the biggest problem - all the FREE games. I think she is finally starting to understand they really aren't free. You pay with all the pop-ups and lousy computer perforamce.
FuzzyBallz said:
I don't think you realise that some Spyware makes it impossible to be be uninstalled.
It hooks into major system dlls which means that without replacing them (virtually reinstalling) you can't get rid of them.
Also, Linux is not the solution I think - if you are not computer savvy enough to realise free games are a bad idea I don't think you'd be able to cope too well even with Mandrake (not even addressing the issue of bloat in the 'easy to use' Linux releases)
Reinstall is the best way - you should have a backup of your data anyway and you need to upgrade to SP2 soon and with muchos Spyware on board that will probably fail. Then where will you be?
Edit: Nevertheless, try this out
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
But if it fixes all your issues, I'll be surprised and happy for you!
Edit 2: But even if you get rid of the Spyware without reinstalling you will not improve the performance by much because they will still have mullered your Registry - on Windows that slows things down a lot.