Sick to death of Virus problems....

[tomoisyourgod]

I'm sick and tired of all my mates (who have windows machines) "Tomo can you fix my computer its f***ing up again"

It's all I hear off them, I simply tell them to get a Mac.

Since getting shot of using Windows and converting to a Mac its a much smoother ride, no pissing about with virus scanners/malware/spyware and everything else that goes with it!

Just had to have a rant about it coz its doin me 'ed in proper!

 

[KristieMac]

I just talked my Dad into buying his first Mac for the very same reason. In fact, I have informed all my family members that PCs are no longer allowed.

 

[Airforce]

I'm sick and tired of all my mates (who have windows machines) "Tomo can you fix my computer its f***ing up again"

It's all I hear off them, I simply tell them to get a Mac.

Cheaper solution: Tell them to stop downloading unknown crap.

I've yet to have a virus I didn't purposely put on my computer since Windows 95. It's not hard to do....with a bit of common sense.

 

[Cleverboy]

Cheaper solution: Tell them to stop downloading unknown crap. I've yet to have a virus I didn't purposely put on my computer since Windows 95. It's not hard to do....with a bit of common sense.

You might disagree, but that's hardly practical. Virus/Spammers specifically design scenarios to trick people into "downloading crap". And, god help you if you have kids. They'll virus infect your computer and knock it into the repair shop faster than you can say "MySpace is the Heart of Darkness". Easier to say, "Get a Mac", and be done with it.

~ CB

 

[Rodimus Prime]

You might disagree, but that's hardly practical. Virus/Spammers specifically design scenarios to trick people into "downloading crap". And, god help you if you have kids. They'll virus infect your computer and knock it into the repair shop faster than you can say "MySpace is the Heart of Darkness". Easier to say, "Get a Mac", and be done with it.

~ CB

ummm it really is pretty easy. it just take not downloading crap. Those virus, malware writers really do not use scenarios that are not easy to tell they are likely packing a malware on them.

Really just using some basic common sense things on a windows computer keep it very very clean.

1. Have an updated virus scanner and have it do a full system scan once a week (I have my windows box set to do it at 4-5 am on a Saturday)

2. DO NOT DOWNLOAD untrusted and unknown crap.

3. Keep you computer updated. Again and easy to automated set up on a windows computer.

Other little things that help if you so choose is have some anti spy ware program you run from time to time. And use Firefox.

But following the first 3 will almost always keep an windows computer clean and running. Rule 1 and 3 are easy for any one to set up. I done it on multiple peoples computer and low and behold almost all their problems are gone. I encourage them to follow rule number 2.

 

[iBlue]

ummm it really is pretty easy. it just take not downloading crap. ..
<etc>

good advice you gave and all but...

It's not so cut and dried. Hell, years back (pre-mac) I got suckered in. I got sent a trojan - (via a worm) It looked like an email w/ attachment from a friend of mine (who had no idea) and I opened it. BAM, trojan. I'm not a complete idiot but sometimes things just get past you.

I am all for the "just buy a mac" thing but don't just assume people are insanely stupid or that "just not downloading crap" will spare your computers (windows and macs alike sometimes) Sh** happens.

 

[Cleverboy]

ummm it really is pretty easy. it just take not downloading crap. Those virus, malware writers really do not use scenarios that are not easy to tell they are likely packing a malware on them.

Easy? Well... I got suckered once, almost 10 years ago when I was on AOL, and I've never had another incident since.

I won't argue with you, but everyone is different, and these rules you've made for yourself are born out of your own experience and knowledge, as are my personal rules for me. Not everyone has that experience.

How'd I get suckered? Pride. I thought I knew all the forms a virus might come in at the time. When I saw the file was a ".txt" file and supposedly had a list of jokes, I downloaded it. I opened the small .txt file manually in notepad (didn't double click), and notepad informed me it was too big, and prompted me to open it in Wordpad (I'd never seen that before). In word pad, a single image sat there with a small icon of a butt, and it said "click for a laugh". At that point, I'd momentarily forgotten my quarantine procedures and the embedded script got launched. ZAP. Next thing I know I was being key logged. Soon the person was using my e-mail account to send messages to all my contacts, pretending to be me, with a "special download" related to my profession. What a nightmare.

I've seen some truly twisted tricks out there in recent years, and I wouldn't dream of blaming a non-computer person for accidentally becoming a victim. These days, I hardly pay attention to spam, but I get questions from friends asking about the latest OEM software vendor or virus hoax being forwarded. Most tricks are lame, but others, unless your cynical like me or yourself, are quite persuasive.

~ CB

 

[SC68Cal]

I'm sick and tired of all my mates (who have windows machines) "Tomo can you fix my computer its f***ing up again"

Get new friends.

 

[weckart]

Just carry out the basic anti-virus household duties:

1. Disable the wireless (and bluetooth, if they have a fancy PC) card and twist a broad blade screwdriver in the ethernet socket a few times

2. Glue up the floppy drive and remove the DVD tray

3. Lock down the USB ports to allow printers but not flash drives.

4. Hey presto, no more viruses.

As you were.

 

[Mac-Addict]

If my mum asks my help with her PC I say "Oh I'm sorry I dont know anything about windows computers.. better get a mac if you want my help" I think its working.. she asked me about Macs a few days ago...

 

[Killyp]

You can't simply say 'Don't download un-trusted content'. For example, a friend from school asked for help on his computer, when he'd downloaded a screensaver, and now his computer was slow, files were going missing, and he kept on finding tranny porn in his My Pictures folder. Ran AVG, and it discovered <something98> virus (this is on an XP Sp2 machine), which had been sitting there right under Norton's nose (what he used before I installed AVG myself), which couldn't be removed without booting into Safe mode (something he didn't know how to do at all).

Just because you know about computers, and can tell what is reliable and what isn't doesn't mean everybody else can. My dad is the same, and bought a MacBook 3 weeks ago, he's just fed up with Viruses and other issues, despite always having the latest version of AVG on the computer.

 

[tominated]

Just carry out the basic anti-virus household duties:

1. Disable the wireless (and bluetooth, if they have a fancy PC) card and twist a broad blade screwdriver in the ethernet socket a few times

2. Glue up the floppy drive and remove the DVD tray

3. Lock down the USB ports to allow printers but not flash drives.

4. Hey presto, no more viruses.

As you were.

hehe.

 

[Abstract]

ummm it really is pretty easy. it just take not downloading crap. Those virus, malware writers really do not use scenarios that are not easy to tell they are likely packing a malware on them.

Really just using some basic common sense things on a windows computer keep it very very clean.

1. Have an updated virus scanner and have it do a full system scan once a week (I have my windows box set to do it at 4-5 am on a Saturday)

2. DO NOT DOWNLOAD untrusted and unknown crap.

3. Keep you computer updated. Again and easy to automated set up on a windows computer.

Other little things that help if you so choose is have some anti spy ware program you run from time to time. And use Firefox.

But following the first 3 will almost always keep an windows computer clean and running. Rule 1 and 3 are easy for any one to set up. I done it on multiple peoples computer and low and behold almost all their problems are gone. I encourage them to follow rule number 2.

It's funny. As a Mac user, I have never had to use common sense, or take any precaution.

But yes, they can do all those things and be virus free as well. "Get a Mac" is really just the easy way out.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

You can't simply say 'Don't download un-trusted content'. For example, a friend from school asked for help on his computer, when he'd downloaded a screensaver, and now his computer was slow, files were going missing, and he kept on finding tranny porn in his My Pictures folder. Ran AVG, and it discovered <something98> virus (this is on an XP Sp2 machine), which had been sitting there right under Norton's nose (what he used before I installed AVG myself), which couldn't be removed without booting into Safe mode (something he didn't know how to do at all).

Just because you know about computers, and can tell what is reliable and what isn't doesn't mean everybody else can. My dad is the same, and bought a MacBook 3 weeks ago, he's just fed up with Viruses and other issues, despite always having the latest version of AVG on the computer.

ok on that list what rule did he break.... the untrusted content rule.

Most people it may take one lesson and they will never do it again. As for the email viruses have a descent anti virus and those things are a thing of the past. Along with the fact that now most of the major email providers scan all emails for virus and will bounce any they find. A lot better than the days of the past.

There is a reason when ever I fix some else computer I will make sure AVS is installed and updated. I automate software updates, automate virus scans and lastly I put an antispyware software on the computer and automate that as well. From that point on most of the problems I will deal with are more hardware related than anything else.

 

[nateDEEZY]

Limited Access User Account + Mozilla + AVG Anti-virus

Great combination for family members/children who aren't computer savvy, IMO.

 

[FF_productions]

My friend finally decided to get a MacBook, I have to help him put it together and make sure it all works good for him.

He used to work for the Geeksquad, and was a PC building kind of guy.

He got sick of the bugs/crap and whatever Windows has so he is going to buy a brand new BlackBook with a free iPod and printer. Almost 2200 dollars being spent.