Spyware and Viruses.

[Michael D. Alligood]

Some of you folks recognize me from my posts on various newsgroups. I am a
technician with "Geeks On Call". I have been performing IT support for about
10 years now. Nearly two-thirds of my service calls deal with spyware and
viruses. Although there are numerous articles concerning this issue, many
users do not care to read them. They are like me when it comes to my car: If
it starts in the morning, I do not care how it runs. But what you do not
know will hurt you in the end.

Jerry Honeycutt, MS Expert Zone Columnist states,
"As if spam, viruses, and worms aren't bad enough. Adware and spyware are
here to sap the remaining life out of your productivity and privacy. Cookies
are harmless in comparison!

Adware is software that displays advertisements on your computer. These are
ads that inexplicably pop up on your display screen, even if you're not
browsing the Internet. Some companies provide "free" software in exchange
for advertising on your display. It's how they make their money.

Spyware is software that sends your personal information to a third party
without your permission or knowledge. This can include information about Web
sites you visit or something more sensitive like your user name and
password. Unscrupulous companies often use this data to send you unsolicited
targeted advertisements."

Now I am sure all of you have heard about spyware removal tools such as
SpyBot, Ad-Aware, Pest Patrol, and spyware blocking programs like SpyWare
Blaster. I ran all four programs on my PC and have had zero instances of
spyware in over a year. The problem occurs when the users of these programs
forget to update the spyware definitions for these programs. Spyware is very
similair to viruses in that new spyware is being developed and redesigned
everyday. If you do not up-to-date definitions, you cannot counter them.

When running any of these programs (with the exception of SpyWare Blaster)
it is a good idea to do this in Safe Mode. Spyware loves to load itself into
memory.

A majority of the spyware / viruses cases I see deal with file sharing
programs like Kazaa. This program in particuliar has cost my clients a lot
of money. I have removed as many as 4,000 articles of spyware and 39 viruses
off one PC.

Anyway, I hope that this helps you out. If you have any questions or
comments, please fill free to post them and I will help out in any way I
can.


--
Best of luck!

Michael D. Alligood
MCSA, MCP, CCNA, A+,
Network+, i-Net+, CIW A, CIW CI

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

These News Groups are for users who want to ask questions about any problems they may be having with XP. I can't see a question regarding a problem in your posting.

 

[Mistoffolees]

Hi

These News Groups are for users who want to ask questions about any problems they may be having with XP. I can't see a question regarding a problem in your posting.

Still, the issues need to be addressed and way too much
bandwidth is being spent by users inquirying at how to
remove the "annoyance of the week", such as the recent
Beagle worm outbreak. An occasional, healthy dose of FYI
posts will definitely not hurt. It could have been done
less obstrusively...such as by more of the MVP's, MSCE's,
etc., perhaps proactively?

 

[Michael D. Alligood]

On the contrary, Will. These newsgroups are not only to helps users with
their problems, it to help them avoid problems in the first place. Being an
MVP as yourself, I cannot see the validity of denying users how to avoid
such issues. My intention was not to ask a question, but to post useful
information. If the post offended your or your status, I do apologize and
was not my intention. However, as the saying goes, "An ounce of
prevention..." Well, hopefully you know the rest so should everyone else.

--
Best of luck!

Michael D. Alligood
MCSA, MCP, CCNA, A+,
Network+, i-Net+, CIW A, CIW CI


Hi

These News Groups are for users who want to ask questions about any problems
they may be having with XP. I can't see a question regarding a problem in
your posting.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

No need for FAQs. There are plenty of people in the XP NGs to reply to the virus/spyware problems that occur. Firewalls - inc. 3rd party ones - are there to be used. So are anti-virus programs. The Microsoft web site has plenty of advice on it's homepage to that effect.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Some of you folks recognize me from my posts on various newsgroups. I am a
technician with "Geeks On Call". I have been performing IT support for about
10 years now. Nearly two-thirds of my service calls deal with spyware and
viruses. Although there are numerous articles concerning this issue, many
users do not care to read them. They are like me when it comes to my car: If
it starts in the morning, I do not care how it runs. But what you do not
know will hurt you in the end.

<snippage>

These News Groups are for users who want to ask questions about any
problems they may be having with XP. I can't see a question
regarding a problem in your posting.

Still, the issues need to be addressed and way too much
bandwidth is being spent by users inquirying at how to
remove the "annoyance of the week", such as the recent
Beagle worm outbreak. An occasional, healthy dose of FYI
posts will definitely not hurt. It could have been done
less obstrusively...such as by more of the MVP's, MSCE's,
etc., perhaps proactively?

*sigh*
This has come up before. I have seen many of the 'proactive' type posts out
there, and usually, I am only left wondering about their impact.

*If* someone reads the 'proactive posts', then they likely searched as
well - which means they would have surely found posts such as the many by
me, explaining not only how to prevent and get rid of spyware/adware/malware
and immunize against them, but also advice on updating Windows, updating
drivers, using a firewall, spam blocker and AntiVirus applications. I
cannot imagine a search of the Microsoft Newsgroups for spyware or adware or
viruses or worms or most of the stuff we are talking about in this
discussion about 'proactive' posts NOT coming up with at least one instance
of my post or 2-3 dozen other similar responses.

The problem is, most people who come here for these types of issues are
first time visitors, inexperienced in the use of such forums or just plain
lazy. They don't read anything that is not in direct response to them -
some don't even know how to get back to their posts to check for responses.
So the chances of them ever reading the 'proactive' posts like the one above
by Michael A. is slim to none.

I cannot say for certain it does not happen. I cannot say for certain that
someone did not read his post and either emailed him for information on how
to download the applications he spoke of or they did their own search for
them using Google and found them and are using them now. (Although that
last method I have less faith in - if they could search with Google, they
might have searched Google Groups or the Microsoft groups directly for their
answer already and found the 1000's of hits on the subject.)

After seeing the number of posts that usually follow such a post in the days
following a post such as that and how many are around when a 'proactive'
post has not been made in quite some time - truthfully - I see no
statistical decrease with or without the proactive posts. I enjoy reading
them. They help me make sure that my posts (which can be considered
proactive in some ways - although they are usually a direct response to
someone) are not out of date or might be missing some key bit of information
about whatever subject that might help someone so they do not have to visit
this forum again.

As for the MVPs or MSCE's or any other particular group doing this more -
again - in my mind it wouldn't make a difference if Bill Gates posted it -
or even if the forum could read your mind and it picked the name of your
favorite person in the universe and showed the post as being from them -
most people do not seem to read anything that is not in direct response to
them - and if they do - then would have found one of many posts explaining
their delimma (usually) in excruciating detail.

I wish it helped more. I wish more people used Google and Google Groups
searching before posting on these newsgroups. I wish more people realized
that although their computer may be just a tool to them, it requires more
maintenance than just sitting on the shelf and dusting the top of it on
occasion like your television set.

I can wish all day - but I prefer helping those who ask for it - giving them
the help they need and perhaps just a little more in hopes that because I
helped them one way - they may take the further advice to heart and prevent
many other problems.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

No need for FAQs. There are plenty of people in the XP NGs to reply to the virus/spyware problems that occur. Firewalls - inc. 3rd party ones - are there to be used. So are anti-virus programs. The Microsoft web site has plenty of advice on it's homepage to that effect.

What PC suppliers ought to be doing is to educate people when they purchase a new machine to make sure that know how to use it properly!!

 

[Michael D. Alligood]

This is truly unbelievable! A person taking their time to try and help
indivduals is getting this kind of treatment (esp. from an MVP!) Will, again
not wanting to offend you, but whats your problem? My intentions was to help
educate users on spyware. Where is the harm in that?!

You are correct in the fact that Microsoft's website is where users can
educate themselves on this matter. However, the website is static in
converstation. Which is why they use the newsgroups.

--
Best of luck!

Michael D. Alligood
MCSA, MCP, CCNA, A+,
Network+, i-Net+, CIW A, CIW CI


Hi

No need for FAQs. There are plenty of people in the XP NGs to reply to the
virus/spyware problems that occur. Firewalls - inc. 3rd party ones - are
there to be used. So are anti-virus programs. The Microsoft web site has
plenty of advice on it's homepage to that effect.

What PC suppliers ought to be doing is to educate people when they purchase
a new machine to make sure that know how to use it properly!!

 

[Malvern]

The original post does bring up two important points I never knew before and
doubt PC suppliers ever bring up;
1) these programs need updating just like antivirus programs.
2)With one exception, run in Safe Mode.
This IS important information on this subject over which a heck of a lot
more bandwidth has been wasted with criticism than the original.

Malv

Hi

No need for FAQs. There are plenty of people in the XP NGs to reply to the
virus/spyware problems that occur. Firewalls - inc. 3rd party ones - are
there to be used. So are anti-virus programs. The Microsoft web site has
plenty of advice on it's homepage to that effect.

What PC suppliers ought to be doing is to educate people when they purchase
a new machine to make sure that know how to use it properly!!

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Some of you folks recognize me from my posts on various newsgroups.
I am a technician with "Geeks On Call". I have been performing IT
support for about 10 years now. Nearly two-thirds of my service
calls deal with spyware and viruses. Although there are numerous
articles concerning this issue, many users do not care to read
them. They are like me when it comes to my car: If it starts in the
morning, I do not care how it runs. But what you do not know will
hurt you in the end.

<snippage>

These News Groups are for users who want to ask questions about any
problems they may be having with XP. I can't see a question
regarding a problem in your posting.

On the contrary, Will. These newsgroups are not only to helps users
with their problems, it to help them avoid problems in the first
place. Being an MVP as yourself, I cannot see the validity of
denying users how to avoid such issues. My intention was not to ask
a question, but to post useful information. If the post offended
your or your status, I do apologize and was not my intention.
However, as the saying goes, "An ounce of prevention..." Well,
hopefully you know the rest so should everyone else.

No need for FAQs. There are plenty of people in the XP NGs to reply
to the virus/spyware problems that occur. Firewalls - inc. 3rd party
ones - are there to be used. So are anti-virus programs. The
Microsoft web site has plenty of advice on it's homepage to that
effect.

What PC suppliers ought to be doing is to educate people when they
purchase a new machine to make sure that know how to use it properly!!

This is truly unbelievable! A person taking their time to try and help
indivduals is getting this kind of treatment (esp. from an MVP!)
Will, again not wanting to offend you, but whats your problem? My
intentions was to help educate users on spyware. Where is the harm in
that?!

You are correct in the fact that Microsoft's website is where users
can educate themselves on this matter. However, the website is static
in converstation. Which is why they use the newsgroups.

I don't see that Will (or anyone else) is giving you any sort of
"treatment". They responded in the 'non-static' enviroment you posted your
semi-FAQ in - making a conversation thread throwing their opinions about
such a posting out into the coversation. I do believe that is how
newsgroups work. Someone posts something, others respond if they are so
inclined. Some newsgroups have more specific purposes (such as the
Microsoft ones are meant to assist people in whatever way possible.)

Again - if you find my original response to this thread - you can read my
opinions on the impact of such posts. I have not seen anyone outright
attacking you in any way, merely stating their opinions. That does not mean
that by the time I post this message, someone will not have outright
attacked you - unfortunately, it is a public forum. heh

 

[Tom]

<snipped>

"What PC suppliers ought to be doing is to educate people when they purchase a new machine to make sure that know how to use it properly!!"

Yea, then we wouldn't need your help then would we? Me thinks you are here way to much for your own, almost from the time you wake, until you ready yourself for bed. In any case-

Sieg Heil!

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

You don't seem to grasp the point. When someone posts a question into aNews Group, they are looking for a reply to that question. You use OE - which is good - but a lot of users don't, and post via the CDO interface. It is going to be very difficult for them to find your posting/FAQ hidden under, perhaps, 20 pages!! They wouldn't even know it was there.

 

[Michael D. Alligood]

Will and Shenan,
Both of you have valid points and I respect them both. With that said,
let us then stop chatting about this well-meaning post and answer to users
question. Thank you both for you insight and I apologize for being
defensive.

--
Best of luck!

Michael D. Alligood
MCSA, MCP, CCNA, A+,
Network+, i-Net+, CIW A, CIW CI


Hi

You don't seem to grasp the point. When someone posts a question into a
News Group, they are looking for a reply to that question. You use OE -
which is good - but a lot of users don't, and post via the CDO interface.
It is going to be very difficult for them to find your posting/FAQ hidden
under, perhaps, 20 pages!! They wouldn't even know it was there.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

Basic tuition in how to use a PC wouldn't go amiss. A lot of parents are buying a 1st PC - mainly for their children - and may never used a computer themselves. You seem to disagree - that's you prerogative.

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups




<snipped>

"What PC suppliers ought to be doing is to educate people when they purchase a new machine to make sure that know how to use it properly!!"

Yea, then we wouldn't need your help then would we? Me thinks you are here way to much for your own, almost from the time you wake, until you ready yourself for bed. In any case-

Sieg Heil!

 

[GHalleck]

Hi

No need for FAQs. There are plenty of people in the XP NGs to reply to the virus/spyware problems that occur. Firewalls - inc. 3rd party ones - are there to be used. So are anti-virus programs. The Microsoft web site has plenty of advice on it's homepage to that effect.

What PC suppliers ought to be doing is to educate people when they purchase a new machine to make sure that know how to use it properly!!

No PC supplier taught me. Of course, they did not really
exist way back in 1970. In fact, I learned about PC's from
becoming a hobbyist in the mid-1980's. At that time, there
was plenty of literature, ranging from complete manuals in
paper that came with the applications and to on-line guides.
But still no PC supplier did any education, and I am also
guilty of this since my curiosity and desire to learn made
me into an OEM-VAR. How else can one get to play and learn
at the same time? But what PC supplier has the time to do
the educating when new versions of more bloatware come out
at annual intervals?

The answer is this: Microsoft and all of the other software
houses need to return to developing clean, straight-forward
applications, provide the manuals and, today, with the advent
of the worldwide web, on-line instructional modules prepared
not by engineers or computer programmers but teachers with
interactive experience.

BTW, you're right about FAQ's...who reads them when they are
incomprehensible to the neophyte user.

 

[Will Denny]

No PC supplier taught me. Of course, they did not really
exist way back in 1970. In fact, I learned about PC's from
becoming a hobbyist in the mid-1980's. At that time, there
was plenty of literature, ranging from complete manuals in
paper that came with the applications and to on-line guides.
But still no PC supplier did any education, and I am also
guilty of this since my curiosity and desire to learn made
me into an OEM-VAR. How else can one get to play and learn
at the same time? But what PC supplier has the time to do
the educating when new versions of more bloatware come out
at annual intervals?

The answer is this: Microsoft and all of the other software
houses need to return to developing clean, straight-forward
applications, provide the manuals and, today, with the advent
of the worldwide web, on-line instructional modules prepared
not by engineers or computer programmers but teachers with
interactive experience.

BTW, you're right about FAQ's...who reads them when they are
incomprehensible to the neophyte user.

Hi

PCs have to be purchased to be able to use software. So why not at the point-of-sale offer a service to the buyer to run through the rudimentaries of Security of the PC? I can't see why that can't be achieved. If all users had used WU and/or had enabled a Firewall, where would Sasser have gone?

 

[Michael D. Alligood]

Very true Will. I say the PC manufactures go a step further and include
anti-spyware programs on new systems. The possiblilty of the POS offering a
service would cost extra. But then it would be on the buyers fault if they
did not take advantage of the extra service. Good post.

--
Best of luck!

Michael D. Alligood
MCSA, MCP, CCNA, A+,
Network+, i-Net+, CIW A, CIW CI




the virus/spyware problems that occur. Firewalls - inc. 3rd party ones -
are there to be used. So are anti-virus programs. The Microsoft web site
has plenty of advice on it's homepage to that effect.

No PC supplier taught me. Of course, they did not really
exist way back in 1970. In fact, I learned about PC's from
becoming a hobbyist in the mid-1980's. At that time, there
was plenty of literature, ranging from complete manuals in
paper that came with the applications and to on-line guides.
But still no PC supplier did any education, and I am also
guilty of this since my curiosity and desire to learn made
me into an OEM-VAR. How else can one get to play and learn
at the same time? But what PC supplier has the time to do
the educating when new versions of more bloatware come out
at annual intervals?

The answer is this: Microsoft and all of the other software
houses need to return to developing clean, straight-forward
applications, provide the manuals and, today, with the advent
of the worldwide web, on-line instructional modules prepared
not by engineers or computer programmers but teachers with
interactive experience.

BTW, you're right about FAQ's...who reads them when they are
incomprehensible to the neophyte user.

Hi

PCs have to be purchased to be able to use software. So why not at the
point-of-sale offer a service to the buyer to run through the rudimentaries
of Security of the PC? I can't see why that can't be achieved. If all
users had used WU and/or had enabled a Firewall, where would Sasser have
gone?

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

I don't know of any PC suppliers - at least here in the UK - that include an anti-spyware program. Probably because a lot of them are free to download!!

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I don't know of any PC suppliers - at least here in the UK - that
include an anti-spyware program. Probably because a lot of them are
free to download!!

All the more reason they should be included.

Adding Spyware Search and Destroy and SpywareBlaster as well as applying
IE-SpyAD settings to a machine with a prepared unattended installation or
image is easy - do it all the time...

 

[David Nimon]

Oh geez............what an anal reply!

First of all, this is the NEW USERS forum...the precise group that tends not
to be aware of all types of malware. Further, it seems to me that MVP's in
ALL groups find themselves replying to posters over and over with comments
and suggestions about downloading Ad-Aware and other utilities to correct
problems.

The OP did us all a favour. He wasn't spamming. He wasn't promoting himself
vis-a-vis commercial ventures.

I really think a 'thanks for helping out' was in order. Not your snivelling
retort which candidly was beneath you.

--
David Nimon
dnimonREMOVE@##sympatico.ca
Hi

These News Groups are for users who want to ask questions about any problems
they may be having with XP. I can't see a question regarding a problem in
your posting.