Spyware Warrior

Xtr-ChessReal

I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore!!!!

I have a BSEE but know more about C and machine code than I do about Anti-User crap. Virus, spam, adware, spyware, highjackers, advertisers, and all can just suck on my big 19 inch widescreen!!

I am ready to call it quits on my personal computer, or maybe it is just the internet. Wow, what a thought.

Does anybody remember the SuperHighway? I spend more time getting rid of s**t than I do surfing. In fact I haven't had a good wave byte for eons.

Why is all of this stuff hitting the superhighway fan? Its not fun anymore. After this post I'll have to run my anti virus scanner, my registry cleaner, check my back-up files and compare them for any changes, run an anti-adware, anti-spyware, clear my TIF folders, dump my cache, manually check the OS and Program files folders for changes, then I get to run an anti-spam as I pull up my email to see what new crap is coming and where it is from.

I am the only one in my family and amongst friends that knows anything about cleaning it all up. So, now I am a BSEEPC Janitor!!

Oh, it was fun when the only thing wrong was a deleted system file or a boot loader. Now it is the same thing over and over and over from everyone I know, including some that were sent to me on the special request by a family member or good friend.

My current new recommendation to all of them and you is to stay off of it. The internet is not worth the hassle, time, money. Hey, you want to save some bucks go to the mall and buy your needs and wants but don't do it online. Add up the costs yourself if you don't believe me. Computer, application software, anti-internet software (anti- virus, adware, spyware, spam, crash, firewall, then back-up, don't forget all those toys now, mp3 players - software and membership, cameras software - photo software, scanners, printers, phone assistants, and of couse the real reason you bought the thing - games, steering wheel, joystick, guns, dance pads, i could go on) The reason I list all that is because all of that has to be re-installed if you fail to keep the internet crap from infecting you. Pay the bill to the so-called expert at the store to fix it, all they do of course is wipe it clean and re-install windows, you have to do the rest, it literally takes days and weeks to recover now.

The Internet sucks because the hackers are winning, the virus creators are happy, the anti-virus creators are happy too as well as the rest of the gang of anti-internet software companies that make the security software you have to have. The computer makers are lowering the price because they can't sell any more of the things, most people are on there third or fourth one by now and don't want to spend on another one. Why? Because of the cost of all the crap that comes with it. I am telling you now so you can get out before it is too late for you. The superMudway is the crux of all of the issues with your computer. Stay Away! Run, don't walk because its the BLOBBBBBBBBBBB!!!!!!!!!!
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Seeing the LIGHT at the end of the tunnel depends on which end you are heading toward...

wawadave · Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 8:55 am Post subject:

some very good points! i agree with many.
but i enjoy a good fight far too much to back a way run away.or just plain quit!.
one day when every one else has got mad and taken there toys and gone home the net will be safe again! till than.........................
_________________
RFID tags! SPYWARE
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Jester700 · Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 9:13 am Post subject:

I feel your pain. But how bad it affects you is still down to human nature. My family & close pals get free cleanups, but they don't get that bad because nobody surfs warez or porn. They have all the protection software and put up with reduced web features because that's the price of me helping them.

No freebies for "friend of friends", any more so than a mechanic, doctor, or lawyer gives his services away to these people. Anyone doing this needs to rethink his personal boundaries. I charge $50 for a cleanup, backup, updates, and freeware installs, and that's cheap - it all generally takes a few hours. I only do that because I get 2 or 3 going at once in my basement and at that rate it's profitable.

My advice is, make it a sideline, get some bennies bartered in return, or stop doing it.

As for time wasted on forums, eBay, etc. - I'm with ya! I definitely waste too much time online! But then I don't have TV, so at least my brain doesn't rot watching American Survivor Idol. Wink

edit: spelling

herbalist · Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 9:35 am Post subject:

I understand your frustration, and yes the hackers and malware writers do seem to be winning against those who don't defend themselves. As long as companies like MS keep turning out such vulnerable junk and have a monopoly, it won't get better anytime soon. Every operating system they release has more holes than the previous one, and I definitely don't want to see Longhorn. XP is bad enough, must stand for "Xtremely Patched". I can see the time coming that the existing internet is replaced by something we have little control over and no privacy with. The money will win out here.
Until that time, all you can do is to put a strong security package together and add it to those you work on too. Give them good, simple terms:
"If you want me fixing it, It'll be secured the way I want it." If they don't let you, don't work on it. Make them understand why.

I'm still running 98, by choice. Don't want XP. With a few modifications, a good browser like Mozilla, and the right combination of security programs, you can surf in reasonable safety. Many of the best security programs are free. I use a free AV, AntiVir, a free firewall, Kerio 2.1.5, and several other single purpose programs. I haven't had a virus or trojan in 2 years and AAW hasn't found anything since somewhere back in version 5.??.
Nothing you can do will ever replace common sense. I'm assuming you watch what you open and where you go on your own, but that's much harder to control on someone elses. One particular one I work on about once a year is a recurring nightmare. Multiple users, several of them teenage, several hunting porn programs. WinMe (ME=multiple errors) no less. The first time I cleaned out 5gb of adware, a dialer, porn programs, Kazaa, and 7 viruses. Installed a new AV and a firewall. A year later, I found the firewall disabled, a trojan, and more porn. The systems VXD drivers had been corrupted. Keyboard would only work in safe mode. I spent 4 days on that one. No recovery disks, system restore all infected. I know your frustration. I put in the nastiest security package I've ever assembled, save my own. Fortunately, much of the best security software is free. 2 AVs, one of them manual and integrated, HP guru's host file with every porn site in the systems history added to it. IE6 locked out from the internet, locked down the control panel, and put a full backup in a container file so there'd be a decent backup for the next time. Used Doug Knox's "must be validated" script to stop users who don't have accounts. Added system Lock, set to activate at boot, with and audio alert, This One, set loud. I also put links to several support forums in their bookmarks, explaining what they are and who to talk to.
I definitely understand the frustration, but backing off is one way to make sure hackers win. All we can do is try to educate the users, set them up with the best possible system, and hope they use some common sense.
Rick

Xtr-ChessReal · Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 10:59 am Post subject: Ventillation rewards

Well thanks for your feedback, I was venting in a bad way. I do need to set boundaries now. I have tried the configure it my thing before but after a while the users think they understand enough to disable it or remove it, some don't have enough face to admit they need the help again. Less work for a while but then a major headache later.

Thanks for allowing me to lean on you!

X-out

_________________
Seeing the LIGHT at the end of the tunnel depends on which end you are heading toward...

herbalist · Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 1:19 pm Post subject:

Everybody needs to vent occasionally. Don't worry about it. Yes, do set boundaries regarding what you'll do and for who. Rolling Eyes

Yeah right, like I've got room to talk.
Regarding users disabling what you do, programs like TweakUI can help a lot with that. I put the Add/remove programs applet in an encrypted container file, along with the Internet options, and the tweakUI applets and didn't leave the password. Makes it a lot harder to defeat what you do. The way I see it, if they can figure out how to crack open a scramdisk container file, they probably don't need help anymore.
You can only do so much. Beyond that, they have to develop some sense regarding what they do.
Rick

Xtr-ChessReal · Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 6:28 am Post subject: TweakUI

I did not know you could use TweakUI on XP, I used that on 98 plenty of times. That would help quite a bit, I like your approach. I think I'll do some of that sneaky no peaky on my current fix. Yep, time to pull that ol' bucket and mop out, can't forget the razor scraper to get the gum up too. Just maybe, I'll slip in a dead shortcut and count the clicks. Hey, us janitors gotta have some fun with the kids, right? Twisted Evil

_________________
Seeing the LIGHT at the end of the tunnel depends on which end you are heading toward...

herbalist · Posted: Tue Aug 31, 2004 11:06 am Post subject:

I'm not sure about XP. I think there's a version for it. I run 98 and have rarely worked on XP. Don't care for it.
I wouldn't call it being sneaky. More like forcing the issue.
Rick

CJ · Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2004 12:01 am Post subject:

They do have a TeakUI for XP. You can d/l it from this page:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

scatamousche · Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2004 11:15 pm Post subject:

Dear Xtr-ChessReal,

That was a nice essay in the curmudgeonly style of Andy Rooney. You make some excellent points.

I guess anybody who has only one computer and does irreplacable work might want to take your advice and just stay clear of the internet. Then again, your hard drive or motherboard might throw craps and you would be in a similar situation of having to reinstall all your programs and whatnot into your computer. I just had a motherboard and processor "buy the farm" and it has been a real pain getting things back to normal even though I still had my hard drive.

Scat

stevlo · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 6:23 pm Post subject:

i aint no pc expert,but i didnt take me long to figure out that linux os dont have all the problems that windows does.I paid a few bucks for a linux distro that has a built in firewall,and thats all i have and i dont get problems on it like i do with windows.i have no antivirus on it,i dont have spyware scanners on it,,and it runs the same as the day i installed it.you pay 200.00 bucks for windows xp + other security software,and then you have to deal with all the other problems.its not worth it.people are choosing looks for safety,becasue thats all windows is is a goodlooking os,and its easy to use.Try running knoppix that runs from your cdrom and you dont even need a harddrive.I feel for ya man.Windows is not worth the hassle anymore.

herbalist · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 6:02 pm Post subject:

One of these days, I'm going to get another box and try out Linux or BSD. Right now, my wallet says that it'll be a while. Oh well. Until then, I'll stay with 98.
Rick