Solve : To many to list.?

Hi ,

I'm going to try and make a long story short.  Only to give as much back ground info as possible.

The end of last winter my daughters PC was plagued by viruses. Since it was a Christmas gift and she didn't have much on it I just re-installed everything.  I just recently had to do the same thing again. (Re-install everything) We went from AOL-*censored* to Verizon DSL in the past few months. FYI - She didn't get the latest DISEASES from DSL. What she was using at the time was Norton Anti Virus, but I can't be certain if and when she actually updated, And Ad-Aware.

Before I put the computer back in her room, and since I know this is virus related and that's why I started this thread under this topic, what do you guys/gals suggest that I do so this never never happens again.

There is an aweful lot I'm leaving out but this is the nuts and bolts of it.

If you need further info please ask eventually her PC will be running off of a ub from my PC on Verizon DSL.

Thank you very much in advance for any help or suggestions.

There shold be a THANK YOU section in this place for evryone to send resonses to.

Peace,
MP.
You didn't say what operating system you are using, but if XP, I would load SP2 before it even gets connected to the net. You can download it and burn to CD from a variety of sites.

After all updates are downloaded I would make sure the auto updating from Windows Update is turned on.

Next I would load, then update Ad Aware and Spybot and AVG Free. They are all free just google for them.

Then I would educate her about internet scum and develop a REGULAR routine for updateing the applications and running in safe mode.

I would give a lesson on regular backups for any "important" data. (I'm sure you do this as well, right?

I would evaluate the need for Instant Messaging programs and explain again that just clcicking on ANYTHING is a sure way to get infected with this crappola.

I would personally check out the system once a week for a few weeks, and walk her through the drills on how to be safe.

Maybe an investment in Ghost or TrueImage to make an image of a clean operating system with all updates loaded, so reinstallation is a 15 minute matter instead of an all DAY affair.

I don't think you can prevent it from ever happening again. (Just look at the help forums on this andother boards!) Safe practice and a plan for disaster seems more reasonable.

Just a few ideas.  

On the other hand, if you have the system to support it, you could spend $50 for a copy of Linspire (one license covers all computers you own) and she will be Linux safe from all viruses, spyware, etc., have a safe IM client, all the software you would want for free, and free updates for all of the computers at home for $19.95 a year total. The only catch is that it does not run Windows programs or games.  A full Microsoft office-compatible suite is included and any other software you might want. It is the most WIndows like Linux and I think everyone would be pleased with it. And no, I do not get a commission.
You can even download a Live CD for free that will boot from and run from your CDROM drive without writing anything to the hard drive. In fact you can even run that version without a hard drive in the machine!!Set her up in a very limited guest account.DUH - Sorry bout that. Yes I'm running XP Home edition.  And will upgrade to SP2.


I will look into spybot and AVG, thanks much, I already use Ad Aware.

I'll set her up for auto updates. I did do this last time but I believe I set it for soemthing like 3am on a friday and her computer was usually powered off at this time.

I could use a little more education concerning the "Running in Safe mode" I remember having to do this once with Gateway tech support with my first PC many years ago. Other then that I don't know to much about it.

You gave me more then ENOUGH to get going and I really want to look into linspire if it's that safe. I use many audio video apps on my own PC and as long as it's compatible I may give it a shot.

I can't thank the both of you enough and you'll probably see me around again soon when I try to network my daughters computer to our DSL hub. lol

This place is a God Send. Happy New Year everyone.

Peace,
MP.

Heres my plan of attack that I'll start as soon as I get home tonight unless I hear different.

Download SP2 (WWW.MICROSOFT.COM)
Then download the next 3 and I don't believe the order should make a difference.
www.spy-bot.com
free.grisoft.com
www.lavasoftuse.com/software/adaware


Thank again.
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspxFed ,

Should I replace one, or more, of the above with Microsoft Antispyware or add that to my list.

Thanks much for the help.No, adaware is not a realtime scanner & neither is Spybot unless you activate it's resident.
AVG is antivirus so it's a different kettle of fish.
Use AVG, Adaware, Spybot & Microsoft Antispyware.
Make sure you have a firewall activated too.I'm proud to say I'm responding from my daughters PC. I installed all of the above. Thanks all three of you, and am delighted with the results. I did notice a considerable difference in the screen refresh time once Spy Bot was installed?

Right now I'm on the net and it's running like a champ. My next hurdle is getting her pc and mine to both run using Verizon DSL.

Thank you very much for the help.

Peace,
MP. Quote

I did notice a considerable difference in the screen refresh time once Spy Bot was installed?  

Tell us more about this, faster, slower, what SPybot options have you used? Quote

My next hurdle is getting her pc and mine to both run using Verizon DSL.

I'm glad all is well with that machine now.


Are you planning on running wired or WIRELESS? We can help get you set up wih that as well.   Do you have equipment yet? If you need help, just star a new thread in the Hardware Forum called "Need help with network setup" or something like that.Fed ,

The screen refresh time was slower once I installed Spy-Bot. Options? I pretty much used auto install for all the software don't know enough to do it manually.

GX1_Man ,

I will be using Linksys Wireless-G equipment. It worked well when I had Comcast cable and we both had much older machines. Unless the install goes 1 2 3 , which never happens for me, you can bet you'll see a thread from me. lol Saves me a helluva lot of time.

Thanks again.

Do you have a small Spybot Resident Icon in the right hand side of your taskbar?
If not, then spybot isn't even running and your slow refresh time is being caused by something else.
Possibly Microsoft Antispyware is doing it as adaware doesn't run all the time & AVG is very easy on system resources.Fed,

Your right there is no icon in the taskbar. There is one for each AVG and MS Antispyware but only a desk top for Spy-Bot. I'm using her PC now and it's not bad at all. Maybe DSL went slower with high usage? Just a guess.Open the Spybot main screen, then set it to Advanced Mode, then open the Tools Section and have a look around.
There is a lot more to Spybot than meets the eye.
Check out the Resident.