Motives Question

Question

Hello Dellsters,  Just got back from a friend's Dell desktop that is crawling with malware,  the kids persist in downloading P2P and other suspect software against all instructions not to do so. The only way out is a total reformat and OS reinstall. I have done this twice before, and I won't do it again. I do have one question, though. I can understand why these malware jerks change the home page, why advertising companies want to know what you are doing, etc... And I am fully aware of the tiny percentage of people who distribute viruses/worms, simply because they are villianous scum. But what is the motivation behind the blizzard of total garbage like 'Gem Master', '*.Otto', 'Weatherbug', etc...  They have to know people are going to go to any length to remove this garbage. What does it benefit them? This PC was protected by Norton Internet Security, Spy Sweeper, which were all kept updated. I also made sure all of the Windows XP updates were installed. And the system is still crawling with malware. I give up... JJO

msil217 · Answer

As long as the kids download that garbage, there will be malware. But installing (after cleaning out the computer) spyware blaster, spyware guard, Microsoft Anti-spyware, and scanning with Adaware and Spybot Search and Destroy, and A2 trojan scanner, it may cut down on a lot of Malware.

Or keep the kids off of the computer. (you may have to remove the HD to keep them from using it, lol)

WHY? It makes companies money by monitoring your surfing and buying habits. And they can get info off of your computer to commit fraud.

They are scum, but they don't care. It's all about $$$$$$$.

Message Edited by msil217 on 07-30-2005 01:18 PM

Bobnormal · Answer

simple answer buy the kids a P.O.S. that will get them on the net, then set up a software firewall that blocks all traffic from their p.o.s. to your p.c. then be prepared to block ranges of i.p.addresses that will surely try to get the p.c. again

ky331 · Answer

you said it was your friend's computer, so you may not be interested in taking the time/effort... but many people have found working with HiJackThis as a viable alternative to reformatting the drive and reinstalling windows.   if you're interested, you can check out the HiJackThis board for details, or I (or others) would be happy to elaborate.

josterberg · Answer

Ky331 and Bobnormal, Thanks for the replies, and for the offer of help Ky. The p.o.s. idea is a great one, I will float it and let them sort it out. I AM DONE-- I can't take it anymore. The HiJackThis log would probably work, but my hours of labor would just get flushed down the toilet, so although I don't like saying 'No' to friends, this has to end.        JJO

txtchr · Answer

This may sound like a really simplistic question, but at what point are the kids banned totally from the computer?  Sure worked for my children when they were younger.  Now I have three responsible children who know how to operate, maintain, and be responsible with their equipment.  Two of them are in college now (with their own computers).  They learned their lessons long ago.  At some point, the parent has to take responsibility.  Has your friend ever watched 'Nanny 911'?  Maybe he needs to.

Virus & Spyware

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