Welcome to Your Worst Malware Nightmare

[tuyr3872]

Screw windows, there is much better free software out there. Linux.

Reimaging is fun and easy? You need your brains examined.

Bill Gates has you all brain washed, slap, slap, WAKE UP!!!

I have run Ubuntu for 2 years without any antivirus and have never had a problem. I have never reimaged. Dump WinBlows and get a real operating system.

I am really tired of you free OS fanboys spamming the forum! So what if Windows has security problems? Windows users don't care! That's what restore discs are for. Most users don't do file management anyways and a good format and restore cleans out all their unused files and programs making Windows squeaky clean and fast. If something gets lost because they didn't back it up then it probably wasn't that important anyways. No different than a hard-drive failure. Windows doesn't have to be secure out-of-the-box. If you want security you subscribe to OneCare or buy protection from one of the professional security companies. If average computer users really wanted security they would be using BSD, correct? Isn't that what the Mac uses? You don't see millions of people switching to Macs because of security. It's because of the iPod and Apple's superior branding. Selling Windows separate from the security lets users with the technical know-how to deal with security problems save a buck or two. It's not meant for the average user. I think that OneCare should always be sold with Windows and come with PCs in stores. It should cost MORE to get Windows without OneCare so that only the professional developers who need to will buy it. Just like fat-free food costs more than the plain stuff.

You zealot hobbyist programmers are all communist dreamers and don't contribute anything to the economy. Symantec alone employs over 15,000 people. They even offer anti-virus for Linux! And why would they bother supporting Linux? Because they don't want Linux computers giving viruses to Windows like the Linux.Simile virus! And nobody cares if your OS will run on a toaster. New Windows releases make people buy new PCs which keep computer stores in business and provides jobs to millions of salespeople and technicians. It doesn't matter to me if Vista costs more and is mostly eye candy, I LIKE EYE CANDY! Nor does it mean anything that your 10-year old *nix web server still runs fine without any updates. There are still fools running DOS as well and there aren't any new exploits for it either. Microsoft can't afford to spend millions on supporting old OSes like they did with Windows 98. Online activation and updates give them a good way to force the cheapskates to upgrade by simply disabling the old OS at it's End-Of-Life and preventing them from activating new installs.

You rant and rave about "DRM this" and "phone-home that" because you are all pirates and don't like having to pay for the games you play and the movies you watch. I don't care if the DRM-protected stuff won't transfer to a new PC because by the time I buy a new PC I'll be bored with the old stuff anyways. You complain that non-physical digital media costs more than CDs or DVDs but you don't take into account paying for gas to drive to the store or the shipping costs of the latter. Even if it is more - thats simply the price you pay for convenience, just like buying a soda at a gas station costs more than at a grocery store.

Crawl back to your techno-bunker and take your penguins and devils with you.

 

[kittle]

I still maintain the best anti-<whatever> software is between your ears.

The only firewall I have is my linksys router. Ive been online since 1993. The one time I tried to run an anti-virus program it screwed up my laptop. to the point of re-loading the OS. Since then, I dont run any virus software or adaware or whatever.

Simple rules of "dont go there" when it comes to questionabl sites works. and works well.

Mrgreen371 outlines the rest of it.
Although I do use IE - im careful as to what sites get visited. But outlook is a definate no-no.


but above all the attitude of "im running av software, I can go anywhere!" .. is what gets people bit by new viruses.

 

[rodney_ws]

Memo to all the Malware and Spyware programmers. Read this thread to find out what people use and program a spy to bypass so you can get your stupid adverts seen! Huzzah!

Ad-Aware, Check. Firefox, Check (hehe, this one has been on the list for awhile! Finally we have conclusive evidence people use it!!!) Windows Defender, Check.

Natecannon... one security mechanism no one has listed yet... COMMON SENSE!!! Armed with that... most users would have little to worry about.

*edit* Damnit! Someone did just mention it right before I posted this.

 

[atarione]

so for my part i have a m0n0wall edge firewall

a home domain setup for enforcing security polices ... on any less savy home network users (points in general direction of teh fiance...damn it woman stop clicking on stuff 😀 )


umm oh right were was i.....

so I use spyware blaster and spybot search and destroy and windows defender.

along with Avast antivirus and sysgate PF


and using Firefox... plus getting the others in the house using FF == no malware problems for a looong time now.

 

[Datablitz]

" If the host country complains, cut off ALL internet traffic from that country to the USA until sufficient action has been taken."

WTF? Are you actually thinking before typing, or is your computer infected with a Stupid.NoIdeaHowInternetWorks.UberHick.worm32 and does the posting for you.

1) Your idea is as moronic as the death penalty.
I'll make this as plain and simple as can be:
Country A is blocked from the USA.
Person from country A sends his "work" to person from counrty B.
Person from country B spreads it to the USA.
WOW!

2) Don't speak as if spam or any malware is a problem the USA needs to wage a war against. (GWB: "We are now in a war against malware. Bring it ON!"

 

[Doughbuy]

The best solution to this is to find the people who spread this shit around, walk them out back, and terminate them with prejudice.

If I had my way, every person who wrote a virus or attempted to get shit on my computer without my person would die a horrible death. My computer is like my house, some guy comes in without asking me, he can be sure he'll be gone minus a couple gallons of blood...

On a less ranting more sane note, the situation really is getting out of hand. I really believe there should be harsher penalities induced to people who write viruses or try to hijack our computers. If someone hijacks a car, they get so many years in prison, pay a fine, whatever. Someone hijacks a comp, they probably get a slap on the wrist at best (unless its a government computer, and then they disappear). I would say the best way to deter crime would be to slap a penalty so hard on it that no one would even think of doing it...

/How nice it would be to legally shoot anyone who cuts you off or tailgates you...

 

[Onus]

The intent is that it would be financially excruciating, motivating the target of sanctions to deal with the problem; do you have a better idea to eliminate (not merely "fight," which is a waste) malware?

FWIW, I am familiar with IP routing. Spoofing is an issue, but there are technical solutions for that.

The sad part is that "fighting," rather than eliminating, malware is a lucrative business.

Just ask yourself the questions: "Whose interests does this serve," and "Whose interests do we want to serve?" Hopefully that will lead to a better answer.

 

[Scooby2]

In the spirit of your posts: Shoot all Americans as most spam comes from the U.S. Therefore shooting all Americans should stop most spam.

 

[Doughbuy]

All the viruses come from Asia... nuke Asia?

Wait, they already have North Korea... can't see how it can get any worse...

 

[Onus]

In the spirit of your posts: Shoot all Americans as most spam comes from the U.S. Therefore shooting all Americans should stop most spam.

I had hoped to avoid responses of this sort by specifying that an individual is innocent until proven guilty, so only after conviction, would the "Game Over" sentence be carried out.

You're not a spammer, nor are your friends, family, and associates, so would that solution not serve your interests?

If it sounds a little harsh, well then my suggestion is DON'T SPAM!
Wow, I know that's quite a concept, but I don't doubt the ability of THG's Forumz readers to understand it.

 

[KTev]

I have maintained windows computers for over 10 years now. If you sit behind a good residential gateway and are not a fool you will have very few problems. Using a web mail program like gmail or yahoo can also reduce the risk.

Otherwise killing everyone or getting rid of your computer will eliminate all risk.


As far as linux, it is a nice OS for those that want something on that level of complexity, but it isn't for everyone. IE a stock car makes for a great racer, but a lousy everyday drive. When linux has 10+ years behind it as a graphical OS maybe then it will have the usability that we expect from windows or macs.

 

[sluzbenik]

Can we up the discussion tone a bit please?

I run behind a router, I have Windows Defender and that's it. You are more at risk for spyware than viruses thanks to anti-virus software provided by most email providers. I just don't do stupid stuff (most of the time.)

I wish I could find anti-virus software I can stand - they are all resource hogs, Norton especially has caused problems - sometimes you just can't uninstall it.

I screwed my wife's laptop once trying to download a keygen. That'll teach me. Took me 3 hours and a lot of reg hacks to fix it, but I did it.

 

[croc]

In 2004, US companies wasted (as opposed to "spent") nine billion dollars fighting spam.
These problems will continue as long as the creators and distributers of viruses, spam, adware, spyware, etc. can go on thinking it is a game.
An individual is innocent until proven guilty, but the last things a convicted malware purveyor needs to hear is a buzzer and a game-show-host style voice announcing "GAME OVER!"; assuming that the brain would have been sufficiently scrambled by a single large caliber round to be unable to perceive the sound of the shot. That would permanently deter one, and give second thoughts to others. Those living in other countries (particularly where there is not a death sentence), after conviction in absentia, would be good practice targets for covert agents. If the host country complains, cut off ALL internet traffic from that country to the USA until sufficient action has been taken.

Personnally, I protect my systems with a hardware firewall, McAfee anti-virus, and Spybot S&D. I've managed to stay clean, but at work I've encountered lots of problems with people who've loaded who knows what.

Among the most common offenders are Yahoo and Weatherbug, and I used to see a lot of "Bonzi-buddy."

~90% of spam originates FROM the US... CANSpam = cancel spam convictions...

I forget what percentage of spyware comes from US, but it's over 50%.

US is a major part of the problem, not any part of the cure. So go on in your ignorant bliss, ignore this.

 

[Onus]

If it comes from the US, then by all means convict and execute those responsible. I don't care where they are.
"Can Spam" was just an effort by elected parasites to make themselves appear important and useful. I will believe that people are taking the waste of billions of dollars seriously when they start eliminating the spammers, not playing their "duck the filter" games.

 

[Tiger1977]

Hiy all... new to this forum "1st post" pleased to meet you all

My own personal take on this situation is that as long as there is a way to exploit something there will always be exploitees (not sure if this word ever existed!!!) making money from redirected website hits, or advert pop-up's, or simply notoriety for making the best spyware/malware (obviously wanting to be the new programmers of the apps your using to stop these people in the first place!) they will be there poised for action.

This also applies to walking down the street and being ripped off by the drinks promoter outside a bar with his 2 for 1 offer (Drinks three times the normal price obviously).

Common sense is the answer. don't open attachments from unfamiliar email addresses, don't download software you've never heard of without checking it out (forums GOOGLE word of mouth) and definately don't believe anything that sound to good to be true.

All software has it's downfalls:- performance, compatibility, ease of use and highest on the list affectiveness.

For me I sit behind a hardware SPI Firewall, I use plain old windows firewall on workstations with NOD32 Anti virus and the highly recommended
CA Pest Patrol for spyware/Adware.

 

[Robovski]

Well we haven't had an Apple OS asshat yet so I haven't hit the trifecta of internet OS dumbassery. Dang.

Back on topic: It would have been nice if the article was, well, more helpful instead of just saying "there are bad things out there and here's what they are called". Advising of some countermeasures would help the newbie who hits the artticle after a search.

As for myself, I have a hardware router and use NIS and run occaisonal scans for spyware/adware on both of the home machines, and keep the updates fresh on the scanners and firewall and OS. This helps a lot against attacks and mistakes, but what really helps is teh fact I educated my wife on downloads and e-mail attachments. Now when wshe's in doubt she asks me. It's a lot easier for her to know what to do than for me to clean up the mess.

 

[TeLu1]

If it comes from the US, then by all means convict and execute those responsible. I don't care where they are.
"Can Spam" was just an effort by elected parasites to make themselves appear important and useful. I will believe that people are taking the waste of billions of dollars seriously when they start eliminating the spammers, not playing their "duck the filter" games.

DAMN SON, CHILL THE FREAK OUT.

Some things to get straight, 30 minutes and a clean reinstall later EVERYTHING IS BETER THEN BEFORE.
30 minutes after you get your smashed up car back from the impound lot, isn't.

Its your fault if you didn't back-up, because hardware fails and the OS will crap on itself when given a chance.

Morons like you should be shot, your only polluting the population.

Your extreme ideas and opinions go down the freaking crapper as soon as they are examined. If there were no bad guys millions would lose their jobs, and the economy would collapse in an instant, mankind will suffer to the extremes afterwards.

Its a nice thought if there weren't any "bad" guys, but that's what makes individuals what they are. Some view a crackhead as the plague of the society, others will view him as a distressed helpless human being.
Just like the world views you like a freaking moron, I view you as one also.

Be it hard for you to understand, but you should have been shot the first time you lied to your parents because that alone could be set as an example to all the other kids, don't lie to your parents. Sorry but I don't believe that stealing someones credit-card number and making some money to feed oneself should result in an execution. Punishment should be given, but knowing that the standard for killing a man is not capital punishment, but is finely divided into categories. Only the most hideous of the crimes will be given the OPTION to consider the death penalty, because before that you could just get 25 to life, and even less. Indeed, how can killing a man compare to writing spyware for fun or profit? That's absurd. Even so, its not as absurd as thinking that society has morons like you crawling around spewing shit from their big mouth.


Learn to live along other human beings just like we learned to adapt and live among your moron kind. And put yourself in the other shoes, because you cannot seriously mean what you are saying, even for a moron.

 

[vaceituno]

Separating C for programs and D for data, apply DeepFreeze.

No more malware ever that will survive a reboot.

I like Firefox and Kerio. For AV I recommend NOD32, it is even better than Kaspersky.

 

[yyrkoon]

Man, these <insert something stupid> 101 articles are getting funnier and funnier every new article. Funnier still, is 50% of the posts here related to said articles.

Now, to the Linux jockey who says hes been using Ubuntu for two years without a virus, guess what, I've been using Windows AND linux for 7+ years, without viruses on either. Any OS is only as good as that thing that sits between the keyboard and chair, if you dont know wtf you're doing in windows, then yes, PLEASE do stay with Linux (or give us a call, we only charge $50/hr to fix said issues)

Anyhow, I run XP pro, without any AV / Spyware applications installed period. The best way to scan (assuming you need to do so to begin with), is from a remote system, Keychain memory stick, or a Live CD (Erd 200x is my personal prefference for Windows based machines). If you're truely smart enough, knowing how many processes you run at all times, and how to google will fix most problems 99% of the time. The real fun begins when you run into ADS, or rootkits.

 

[Yuni]

Hi just wondering why not many people use recovery cards like myself. It takes a clean install to setup but once setup properly, you can do whatever you want to the computer, then with a reboot and a hit of 2 buttons you can restore back to your clean last backed up state(takes 1 second). That way you can try any software you please and still come clean if it stuffs up. For me it works everytime. Ofcourse you'd need to backup now and then. But thats an advantage as you keep building up a library of reliable software.

To have an extra clean super fast system:
1) restore first to your previous clean state
2) install your software that you are sure haven't given any problems and that you're happy with
3) install windows updates
4) then defrag before
5) back up(takes 10min).

Now you'd smile every time when malware/adware takes over as your still in control.

If you a laptop user then you'd have to use software instead and backup your system as an image. Does take longer though to restore but well worth the trouble!

 

[angry_ducky]

Screw windows, there is much better free software out there. Linux.

Reimaging is fun and easy? You need your brains examined.

Bill Gates has you all brain washed, slap, slap, WAKE UP!!!

I have run Ubuntu for 2 years without any antivirus and have never had a problem. I have never reimaged. Dump WinBlows and get a real operating system.

Have fun trying to find drivers and software.

 

[Gazz]

:twisted: yep its almost as bad as trying to read a hevey and indept article on toms hardware without getting distracted by moving pictures and adds in between article parragrahs
Across the top and down the side fine but right smack in the middle of an article slotted between two parragraphs

As for the maleware, addware it is just getting too out of control, not too long ago we only had to re-install a fresh Widows to get out all the bugs and free loads mybe once or twice a year but i know people who download of the internet that much that they are haveing to do a compleat reinstall 1/4 yearly because of all the conflicking addware, freeware, and crap that gets deposited and installed

Question will : will the next Microsoft windows with its BIG brother Im watching you valadation serial no keeping everyone honest programs stop some of the add invasion ? :twisted:

 

[glockman]

I have used a variety of free and commercial spyware scanners and the one I think is both fastest and most effective is the CA product - Pest Patrol. I use their enterprise AV product at work and I think it is very versatile & effective.

 

[Jake_Barnes]

Patrick - the link is dead!

 

[JimBallz]

My solution is surf the net with my old CP/M... woo hoo.