I always get stuck fixing family and friends fudged up computers for
free. Usually it comes to needing a reformat they are so bad. Of
course they can never have their stuff backed up so I need to deal
with that also.

Anyway I always make sure windows has all updates and service packs
and then I install antivir.
Usually there is a outdated norton doing nothing so I always remove
that. It just gives people the wrong idea that they are protected. I
also install firefox and strongly suggest they use that over IE.
Is there anything else free that I can do? This usually seems to work
for a while but on the rare occasion I have been called back the next
day after a complete reformat and update.

I have started to tell people they will always have problems until
they improve their internet habits.
Is there anything else I can do to further idiot proof a computer? I
usually install something like Super Anti Spyware and tell them to use
that once a week but that doesn't happen. I just dont understand
because I can go years without needing to reformat.

Are there any real time spyware detection programs that are free that
could help? I'm thinking of buying SaS for myself because it seems
they have free upgrades for the life of the product deal going on now.
I'm also going to suggest this to some family members.

Would that be a good combo to go along with antivir?

Also wondering if there were any firefox extensions that can help? Or
a program that auto updates the hosts file so I could keep them from
the crap sites all together.

thanks so much for any help you can give.

A completely unhelpful comment is that it is difficult to foolproof
something because fools are so darned ingenious.

About the only way I have found to deal with similar cases is to
automate as much as I can in the way of backups, spyware updates and
scans, etc, and if the OS and location permit, configure their account
to a limited user account. Of course this causes other issues, but at
least you will be mostly adding things under your control, rather than
fixing their screwups.


--
Alan

JediSpork@gmail.com wrote:
> I always get stuck fixing family and friends fudged up computers for
> free. Usually it comes to needing a reformat they are so bad. Of
> course they can never have their stuff backed up so I need to deal
> with that also.
>
> Anyway I always make sure windows has all updates and service packs
> and then I install antivir.
> Usually there is a outdated norton doing nothing so I always remove
> that. It just gives people the wrong idea that they are protected. I
> also install firefox and strongly suggest they use that over IE.
> Is there anything else free that I can do? This usually seems to work
> for a while but on the rare occasion I have been called back the next
> day after a complete reformat and update.
>
> I have started to tell people they will always have problems until
> they improve their internet habits.
> Is there anything else I can do to further idiot proof a computer? I
> usually install something like Super Anti Spyware and tell them to use
> that once a week but that doesn't happen. I just dont understand
> because I can go years without needing to reformat.
>
> Are there any real time spyware detection programs that are free that
> could help?


SpywareBlaster is free and it stops a lot of spyware from ever getting
installed in the first place. It is worthwhile as an aid. Check it out.
I use the paid version of SAS for real-time protection.


>I'm thinking of buying SaS for myself because it seems
> they have free upgrades for the life of the product deal going on now.
> I'm also going to suggest this to some family members.
>
> Would that be a good combo to go along with antivir?
>
> Also wondering if there were any firefox extensions that can help? Or
> a program that auto updates the hosts file so I could keep them from
> the crap sites all together.

I think SypwareBlaster uses the hosts file. The free version has to be
updated manually.


> thanks so much for any help you can give.

In article <b273616d-6cec-447e-8b31-1268035d0f42
@f20g2000yqg.googlegroups.com>, JediSpork@gmail.com says...
> Is there anything else I can do to further idiot proof a computer?
>

Having been in this position for decades, my solution in the past couple
years, for the terminally ignorant users, to install Ubuntu.

While they complain that they can't play a lot of games, their computers
continue to run and offer them the basics of email and web browsing and
they've not had to have them rebuilt since.

--
- Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.
- Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented worker" is like calling a
drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist"
spam999free@rrohio.com (remove 999 for proper email address)

Linux would be a great idea but I'm afraid I would get to much
grumbling. I'm going to try out spyware blaster and train them how to
update it along with doing a SaS scan once a week.

I intend on purchasing the Pro Version of SaS. Would I still get any
benefit from using spyware blaster? Is that just basically a program
that updates your hosts file? If they do a good job updating it sounds
like that could avoid all the nasty sites

In article <4341f851-f69d-4150-85e9-a941a18d7751
@f3g2000yqf.googlegroups.com>, JediSpork@gmail.com says...
> Linux would be a great idea but I'm afraid I would get to much
> grumbling. I'm going to try out spyware blaster and train them how to
> update it along with doing a SaS scan once a week.
>
> I intend on purchasing the Pro Version of SaS. Would I still get any
> benefit from using spyware blaster? Is that just basically a program
> that updates your hosts file? If they do a good job updating it sounds
> like that could avoid all the nasty sites

None of those things will prevent them from screwing up the computer.

Nothing short of them LEARNING and using Limited User accounts, FireFox
in place of IE, and having a good Firewall Appliance as well as good AV
will keep them from getting re-infected.

--
- Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.
- Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented worker" is like calling a
drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist"
spam999free@rrohio.com (remove 999 for proper email address)

JediSpork@gmail.com wrote:
> Linux would be a great idea but I'm afraid I would get to much
> grumbling. I'm going to try out spyware blaster and train them how to
> update it along with doing a SaS scan once a week.
>
> I intend on purchasing the Pro Version of SaS. Would I still get any
> benefit from using spyware blaster? Is that just basically a program
> that updates your hosts file? If they do a good job updating it sounds
> like that could avoid all the nasty sites

I think you will benefit from installing SpywareBlaster along with SAS.
SpywareBlaster stops a lot of spyware from getting into your computer.
Free SAS, finds most of what got by and corrects them.
SpywareBlaster uses basically no resources. I use both.

On Dec 7, 11:31 am, "Buffalo" <E...@nada.com.invalid> wrote:
> JediSp...@gmail.com wrote:
> > Linux would be a great idea but I'm afraid I would get to much
> > grumbling. I'm going to try out spyware blaster and train them how to
> > update it along with doing a SaS scan once a week.
>
> > I intend on purchasing the Pro Version of SaS. Would I still get any
> > benefit from using spyware blaster? Is that just basically a program
> > that updates your hosts file? If they do a good job updating it sounds
> > like that could avoid all the nasty sites
>
> I think you will benefit from installing SpywareBlaster along with SAS.
> SpywareBlaster stops a lot of spyware from getting into your computer.
> Free SAS, finds most of what got by and corrects them.
> SpywareBlaster uses basically no resources. I use both.

I bought SaS Pro and installed spywareblaster.. On reboot it used
preferences for my old configuration with the free version and had to
do setup all over again. I found this quite strange. Maybe it was
because i changed my user account to standard. Also had to set it up
for my girlfriends user account on the computer. I thought it would
set up for all accounts automatically.

Anyway everything works now. Hopefully it will save me some headaches
down the road.

JediSpork@gmail.com wrote:
> On Dec 7, 11:31 am, "Buffalo" <E...@nada.com.invalid> wrote:
>> JediSp...@gmail.com wrote:
>>> Linux would be a great idea but I'm afraid I would get to much
>>> grumbling. I'm going to try out spyware blaster and train them how
>>> to update it along with doing a SaS scan once a week.
>>
>>> I intend on purchasing the Pro Version of SaS. Would I still get any
>>> benefit from using spyware blaster? Is that just basically a program
>>> that updates your hosts file? If they do a good job updating it
>>> sounds like that could avoid all the nasty sites
>>
>> I think you will benefit from installing SpywareBlaster along with
>> SAS. SpywareBlaster stops a lot of spyware from getting into your
>> computer. Free SAS, finds most of what got by and corrects them.
>> SpywareBlaster uses basically no resources. I use both.
>
> I bought SaS Pro and installed spywareblaster.. On reboot it used
> preferences for my old configuration with the free version and had to
> do setup all over again. I found this quite strange. Maybe it was
> because i changed my user account to standard. Also had to set it up
> for my girlfriends user account on the computer. I thought it would
> set up for all accounts automatically.
>
> Anyway everything works now. Hopefully it will save me some headaches
> down the road.

Hope it helps out.

I do everything that you do. Then I make a new folder and place it on the
idiot's desktop labelled ONCE A WEEK
I then install CCleaner, Malwarebytes, SuperAntispyware, AdAware, Spybot and
Advanced System Care and put all their shortcut icons into the folder. I do
this for myself too, plus a couple of others, but that lot is enough for
most people to cope with. I get very few callbacks except for completely
different problems. It isn't idiot proof, but coupled with Avira for AV it
is simple end effective without hitting anyone's pocket. I leave it to the
idiot's decision whether to upgrade any of those programs to the paid
version!

--
Yours Quilly,

Jon wrote:
> wrote...
>
>> I always get stuck fixing family and friends fudged up computers for
>> free.
>
> Big mistake.
> Charge them £100 an hour and they're soon learn.
> If they won't pay - tell 'em to fuck off.



While it's tempting, even that won't help much.
You just get them mad at you, and next time they blame you for LEAVING
virus's in there.

Best way is to simply be too busy,..... for 2 weeks.
(saying you have a carpel tunnel flare-up and can't type for that long works
too)

Then when they are without a system for that long, they start to realize,
it's better not to frig it up again.

And of couse if they can't wait and call someone else, they will be mad at
THEM, and you are off the hook.
Then you can be a hero, and fix it for nothing, but blame "da udder guy" for
screwing something up.

On Dec 7, 5:32 pm, "Quilljar" <N...@home.today> wrote:
> Then I make a new folder and place it on the
> idiot's desktop labelled ONCE A WEEK
> I then install CCleaner, Malwarebytes, SuperAntispyware, AdAware, Spybot and
> Advanced System Care and put all their shortcut icons into the folder.

This is a great idea and really its all anyone can do is just to let
the programs do their work. I'm not sure how the pro's do computer
repair but if the spyware/virus programs don't seem to remove the
problem properly I just reformat. Nothing technical about it.

I've had a few friends at work that complained their computers were so
bad with spyware they could no longer use it. I didn't really want to
get involved with them so I just offered to make them a disc with a
free virus scanner and spyware removal tools. I tell them you just
follow the instructions, a few clicks of the mouse and your computer
is clean. I just get funny looks from them like maybe they think I'm
trying to give them a virus or they really have no idea what I'm
talking about. One of them just paid 200 dollars in a shop and they
have no idea what they paid for but the computer works.

I know some people that still don't have a computer and I think they
are better off that way.

Yes,
I 'fixed' friends' and neighbours' spyware and adware problems for free for
about two years. Then fed up with being 'used', I decided to go pro. With my
basic knowledge it was a cheek really, but it worked. Some stopped asking
me, but others now pay me a £30 call-out fee. Almost everything they need is
incredibly simple and soon fixed with either System Restore or one of the
free spyware progs. If I cannot fix it, I admit it and make no charge.
Many just want me to show them how to use a memory stick or to connect a new
printer. It amazes me how many people do not want to know the simplest
thing; on the other hand I sometimes meet 75/80 year old ladies who are
whizzes at computers.
The main idiocy I find, is one in five clients do not use their whole
monitor space, and will have a one or two inch black border between their
visible screen and the frame of the monitor!

--
Yours Quilly,

I have been reading up more and as far as I can tell spyware blaster
does not use the hosts file. All it does in mozilla is use the cookie
blocking options. I would think you can benefit more from just using a
good hosts file because it could block bad sites/ads/ and cookies. Do
I have the right idea or am I missing something?

I'm going to try out the mvps hosts file.

On Tue, 9 Dec 2008 08:19:44 -0800 (PST), JediSpork@gmail.com wrote:

> I would think you can benefit more from just using a
> good hosts file because it could block bad sites/ads/ and cookies. Do
> I have the right idea or am I missing something?

Well, your hosts file could get pretty big, knocking your web performance
in the head. I quit using a hosts file after it crossed 700 lines.
Then you have the problem where they hard code the ip address.
Or maybe, ads are buried in some subdirectory of a site you want to
read.

Look through here to see some possible combinations.
http://www.neilvandyke.org/privoxy-rules/neilvandyke.action

Ad servers can have all sorts of node/domain names. I use privoxy which lets
you have wild cards in the rule/action set. http://www.privoxy.org/

On Dec 9, 12:13 pm, Bit Twister <BitTwis...@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
> On Tue, 9 Dec 2008 08:19:44 -0800 (PST), JediSp...@gmail.com wrote:
> > I would think you can benefit more from just using a
> > good hosts file because it could block bad sites/ads/ and cookies. Do
> > I have the right idea or am I missing something?
>
> Well, your hosts file could get pretty big, knocking your web performance
> in the head. I quit using a hosts file after it crossed 700 lines.
> Then you have the problem where they hard code the ip address.
> Or maybe, ads are buried in some subdirectory of a site you want to
> read.
>
> Look through here to see some possible combinations.http://www.neilvandyke.org/privoxy-rules/neilvandyke.action
>
> Ad servers can have all sorts of node/domain names. I use privoxy which lets
> you have wild cards in the rule/action set.        http://www.privoxy.org/

Looks like a nice program. I also have been messing around with no
script. I think someone would really have to enjoy tinkering with
these programs.

I have adblock plus in firefox and subscribe to the easy list. It is
really easy because it updates without me having to mess with it.
After looking around some more I discovered there is also a filter
from Malware Domains. I think its a newer filter and not very well
known but from the little I have read users give it a thumbs up. I
haven't seen it mentioned here and was wondering if anyone else has
tried it yet?

My Dad just called me and AntiVirus2008 showed up on his pc. Not sure
what he was doing but I'm going over to see if SaS removed it
properly. I have been reading up on it and this program is very
sneaky. It looks completely legit and directs you to a site that you
can wire money to buy the full version after it informs you that your
pc is infected with spyware and viruses. I was reading older topics
and the thing would re-create itself after a spyware program deleted
it but hopefully SaS was updated to deal with that.

I found references to these rogue antivirus programs in Malware
Domains so I guess they are keeping tabs on them.
I wonder if the mvps hosts file uses the same entries? So a hosts
file slows down your browser and the only cure is to disable dns
hosting? I see some people saying this starts even more problems and
other say its harmless. If a hosts file could stop even 25% of the
crap out there I would think a slow down is more than worth it.

I'm heading over to my parents again to see if SaS pro did its job.
I'm also going to put adblock plus on firefox for them and do Malware
Domains.

Almost everyone I know at work that has a computer has mentioned they
get weird pop ups or they think they have some kind of virus. I bet
something like 75% of home computers are infected with crap. Banks and
credit card companies should be investing money into improving anti
malware technology. Its just so ridiculous and getting to the point
where if you dont know how to reformat and tinker with your system you
are better off without one.

On Sun, 14 Dec 2008 04:57:11 -0800 (PST), JediSpork@gmail.com wrote:

> Almost everyone I know at work that has a computer has mentioned they
> get weird pop ups or they think they have some kind of virus. I bet
> something like 75% of home computers are infected with crap. Banks and
> credit card companies should be investing money into improving anti
> malware technology. Its just so ridiculous and getting to the point
> where if you dont know how to reformat and tinker with your system you
> are better off without one.

Yes, even more dangerous since the Black Hat are changing DNS records. :-(

My solution is to check the ip address of any place I use a login.

If the ip address does not match my copy, I throw up a message and do
not launch the application.

use a PC with a copy of server 2003 or virtualize it to a laptop connect to there internet via router (if applicable) then assign a mandatory profile with restricted search rights etc. tada its now idiot proofed.:bliss::cool:

JediSpork@gmail.com wrote:

> I have started to tell people they will always have problems until
> they improve their internet habits.

Don't fix their computers for them. Make them learn how to do it
themselves. That's the only way to idiot proof a computer. You are a
nice person to do it for them but are not really doing them any long
term favors.

Buffalo wrote:

> I think SypwareBlaster uses the hosts file. The free version has to be
> updated manually.

Don't think so. Spybot has immunization which it writes to the Hosts
file but I believe Spywareblaster adds entries to block via the registry.

JediSpork@gmail.com wrote:
> Linux would be a great idea but I'm afraid I would get to much
> grumbling. I'm going to try out spyware blaster and train them how to
> update it along with doing a SaS scan once a week.
>
> I intend on purchasing the Pro Version of SaS. Would I still get any
> benefit from using spyware blaster? Is that just basically a program
> that updates your hosts file? If they do a good job updating it sounds
> like that could avoid all the nasty sites

Here's what works for me and it is all free except the router.
Spywareblaster, Spybot S&D, Malwarebytes, Avast anti virus, Windows
Defender, Firefox w/noscript and adblock, Windows Firewall and Firewall
in my router. On my XP box I don't use Windows Defender but you can get
Winpatrol to serve a similar function and I also have Sophos Anti
Rootkit on XP that I run very rarely. I also use limited user accounts
when on the internet, even in Vista.

Now that I look at the above that is a lot of shit to have to run
because of asswipes that think it is cool to infect our computers.
These people have no moral conscience at all and are scum of the earth.

JediSpork@gmail.com wrote:
>I tell them you just
> follow the instructions, a few clicks of the mouse and your computer
> is clean.

Well, it may look clean but that doesn't mean it actually is. The people
you mention really need to start with a guaranteed clean PC and that
means a secure wipe (one pass). I wouldn't dare use their PCs for online
banking or online purchases unless you know for certain it is clean.

Jon wrote:

> Big mistake.
> Charge them £100 an hour and they're soon learn.
> If they won't pay - tell 'em to fuck off.
>
>
>

I got paid fifty bucks to install ram and MS Office once but usually
they are cheap cunts and won't pay a dime. Maybe a free dinner is all I
ever got. Now I just avoid them like the plague.

Bit Twister wrote:

> Well, your hosts file could get pretty big, knocking your web performance
> in the head. I quit using a hosts file after it crossed 700 lines.
> Then you have the problem where they hard code the ip address.
> Or maybe, ads are buried in some subdirectory of a site you want to
> read.
>
> Look through here to see some possible combinations.
> http://www.neilvandyke.org/privoxy-rules/neilvandyke.action
>
> Ad servers can have all sorts of node/domain names. I use privoxy which lets
> you have wild cards in the rule/action set. http://www.privoxy.org/
>

If your hosts file is too big it sows down your whole PC and not just
web browsing. The fix is to disable DNS Client service.