Yes, Sean – I am glad I run linux;
Nearly half of the systems I�ve dealt with over the past month have been badly compromised by advanced trojans and rootkits that are virtually impossible to remove. These programs hook themselves deep into Windows XP and commandeer cricitical parts of the operating system so that they can escape detection and removal by trojan and rootkit repair utilities. While I can remove the malicious software in many cases, it would take me six or seven hours to do a good job and another two or three hours of monitoring the system to be absolutely sure the problem is fixed. On the other hand, it only takes me a few hours to backup user data, rebuild the OS, and then restore data back to the system. Since I charge by the hour, a rebuild is usually cheaper than a repair.
I know that some people are unhappy about having their systems rebuilt from scratch, but the bottom line is that it�s not only the most cost effective repair, but that �nuking the system from orbit� is the only way to 100% guarantee that the problem is fixed for good. It�s not just me saying it either, now Microsoft is admitting it too.
Linux and fire fox rule!!!
Up the revolution! PC users unite!
It’s never too late to buy a Mac, folks! Guaranteed to please…
Would you like an Intel or a PowerPC chip with that Mac order? 😉
First Intel chips… next, MacWindows…
Yup, clear, now that Apple has folded and rolled out Intel-based machines running WindowsXP, savvy users can join the other 90% of the world running Microsoft’s OS.
Just think of the prestige of owning a Mac (which costs about twice than a faster PC) will do for your ego…
well for comprimised systems, this is a good recommendation for all systems.
http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/root_compromise.html
Thanks, but I’d take a linux OS over MS XP any day of the week. Lets see, 2 million or so programers world wide, compared to Microsofts pathetic 20k or so, and only the com ports I want open, not all of them at the same time.
This about sums up my latest dance with Windows XP. Lost the ability to create network connections and spent hours playing with low level services, turning this off and this on… trying to figure out dependencies. Didn’t want to go through the re-install hassle as I have a dialup connection and it takes many hours just to re-update online… and that’s after the install.
Finally found a post on the net with my laptop that seemed to fit my problem and ran SFC (system file checker) which cured my problem.
Of course, first I had to put the relevant directory (475 mb) on my hard drive (it kept skipping files on the install cd) and hack the registry to point to there, instead of my install drive… probably something your average user (I have a decade of mainframe support experience) isn’t gonna want to think of, or mess with.
The computer shops are are screaming, “Thar’s gold in them there Windows machines!”
Off with their heads! Oh sorry, wrong century.
But yes, it is easier to reinstall MSOS than try fixing it. Unless of course they don’t have XP SP2, which takes another 45+ minutes plus the 10zillion security updates and reboots.
That’s why I carry a 1GB thumb drive and a 200GB external HD. Copy their files, favorites, pixs and emails over, nuke the machine, reinstall and copy the files back, (of course virus, spyware, and grayware scanned first) from the bootable drive.
No more phone calls. Maybe I’m the stupid one, don’t get ‘repeat’ business, but at least I sleep at night knowing their word of mouth has brought in other or new clients as a result of being honest.
Had one client call because she had to bring her machine in every 3 months to the place she bought it for work as it crashed often. Find out the bums had a time bomb script on the machine…
Now… if only I could play my Windows based games (such as Everquest II) reliably in Linux I wouldn’t even need this MS junk.
Three ways to avoid almost all viruses,
1: Keep a virus scanner running at all times. (I run AVG free)
2: Run your net through a hardware firewall. Almost all routers have a good one built in.
3: Quit surfing porno!!
Oh, and BTW, Macs are beginning to get viruses too. It isnt the hardware, its the jackasses writing viruses we gotta worry about.
*This is one of those big, under-the-radar threats that we’ve been concerned about,* said Ken Dunham, director of the rapid response team at VeriSign’s iDefense unit. *There has been a trend away from big-bang attacks to very targeted and sophisticated attacks that take place right under your nose. This is one of them.*
For an example of a stealth backdoor logging E-mail or blog post and,
Links about Spyware kits for sale on line, Israel / UK couple fined $423,000 for stealth ware sales. And other security info worth knowing about. http://BendGovernment.blogspot.com
TG
Good suggestions Albertan – once I bought a router and configured the ports correctly, I haven’t had a single problem on the Net. System Restore is also a great tool for bringing XP systems back from the dead.
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Let’s not be too hasty on the ol’ porno surfing thing. As a wise man onec said “There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of the ol’ hey-hey!”
I believe it was Homer.
Albertan Tech and Darren.. Whoa! Not just porn, although most likely to infect..but also,
Free security scans
Free screensavers
Free downloads
Free jpegs
Free stuff in general often carries report cookies at least and stealth data miner trojans at worst. TG
And linux is getting easier to run all the time.
Good onya Tomax! *2 thumbs*
With a lil common-sense the avg PC owner can avoid trouble. I run several security programs on my PC, don’t keep sensative info on it (bank by phone, people), made an update disc by going into my “update history” and d/l’ing the files from MS d/l centre. There are a few that can’t be d/l, but will cut yer update time on “Re/Re” by 95%! Never hurts to have a windows 98 boot floppy either. Lets you totally format your drive, erasing everything on it, including the problem files because it runs off the floppy, not the h/d like the install disc(?) One smaller h/d for the OS, and another bigger h/d for the storage. Works for me!! I ethno-cleanse my OS once a yr, just for good house-keeping.
Uh, wow. Thanks for the link Kate — wasn’t expecting that.
As to Linux, I’d love to run it as my primary OS, but I spend a lot of time in Photoshop CS2 which can’t be run on *nix as yet (PS7, yes, but it’s too old for my needs), and there’s no proper colour management for Linux that I’ve found yet. Maybe someday…
Right-o Tony!
Most of the smaller download sites have malware (spyware, tracking cookies, that kinda stuff). One way of protecting yourself is to install the firefox browser. (google it, folks) Its a nice browser with some sexy features, and it isn’t compatable with most malware.
Another thing not covered is spyware removal. Google Hijack this!. its a spyware removal program that’ll clean yer system right out.
TANSTAAFL – There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch (R.A. Heinlein)
If it has the word “free” in it, and you insists on downloading, running or installing it, you get what you deserve.