So you don't think your computer has a virus? (Picture)

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

This is a screenshot of a client's Win2000 computer I am attempting to clean at this moment. Her only complaint was her CD-RW cds werent' being read properly. A colleague of mine had done a virus cleaning less than six months earlier.



The command-line virus scanner you see is McAfee's Enterprise Scanner V.7.1. It's not a utility you're likely to know about-- I tested over a dozen scanners before I settled on this one. I update it weekly and burn it to a cd so it can't be directly affected by a virus.

Note that Norton Antivirus 2003 is also scanning. Also note it has not found A SINGLE VIRUS. Reason being it had not been updated, and was probably broken by a virus, possibly one you see listed by McAfee.

Both scans combined will not clean the machine. I will be forced to remove the hard drive and put it in as a slave drive on another computer I have set up for such things. I'll have to go in and hunt down and try to delete any remaining files, then reinstall the drive and go through the registry.

Am I earning my money yet?

As I like to tell my clients, I only have three words for you. BACKUP. BACKUP. BACKUP.

(And the countdown to the "Get a Mac/Linux" litany begins.. 3...2...1...)

:nuke:

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

1. No, unlike the anti-choice people on here who shit on every thread wherein

I mention my Mac, I am not going to tell you to get a Mac.

You obviously know what you're doing, and I congratulate you for your expertise. It sounds like you truly help your clients. Not many in service industries do. I hope you are well compensated for your work.

[Chovexani]

2. What is it with those people?

It's like their tiny brains can't comprehend that a sizeable minority of people just prefer a different sort of computer. I'm stuck using a Win98 PC for the time being because I found out Verizon's DSL won't work on anything lower than OSX (and my 333 Mhz iMac is running OS9). But you don't see me shitting all over people's choices.

I have to say though, I get much less shit about being a Machead than I used to. I think it's because so many Linux geeks have gotten Macs since OSX came out.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

4. I like Linux

(Suse 9.1) AND Macs.

Linux is just free Unix. Mac is Pay Unix with an attitude.

They each have their place. And since they just discovered the first Mac virus, I'll be visiting THEIR houses one day soon...

:evilgrin:

[Chovexani]

6. Hehe

You can come to my house if you want. I'll even provide snacks. ;)

Really, people like you are a blessing. I went through hell trying to install DSL on this machine (my mom's old Gateway), and ended up having to call Gateway tech support...got an Indian woman reading from a script, and an accent so thick I literally could not understand a word she was saying, except when she was trying to sell me stuff.

People don't appreciate folks like you until they have to deal with that kind of a situation. You're the salt of the earth.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

10. Bet you were trying to install SBC DSL

All the other providers have the sense to not use PPPoE. SBC is trying to destroy itself from the inside, and they're taking as many of us as possible with them...

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. No, I won't...

I fix 'em too. That said, there are tools, programs and strategies that reduce the incidence of this kind of thing. Fact is, too many people are to aggressively sloppy when it comes to running Windows.

It's hard to feel particularly sorry for them when you get a computer in such bad shape. You know, full well, that careless operation is a big part of the equation.

[Madrone]

5. Fun, ain't it?

I had to redo an entire computer for a user at work - in between all of the OTHER stuff I am totally and completely buried in at the moment - because she had viruses and well over a thousand pieces of spyware infesting her computer. Now I'm even MORE behind than I would have been WITHOUT her piece of crap - and all because they just download bullshit willy-nilly and click on every gd attachment that ends up on their computer.

All AFTER signing a "you will NOT install ANYTHING on your computer without providing a written request to your supervisor to be approved by the IT department. doing so, or becoming infected by a virus is grounds for termination." agreement.

:eyes:
x(x(x(x(

[DS1]

7. I just start cutting fingers off

:evilgrin:

[Yavin4]

20. Why Does That User Have Admin Rights?

Can't you just take away her right to install software? That seems more like a business protocol problem more than a user problem.

[Madrone]

23. Nope - not yet, anyway.

They're still on Win98, and we (the IT dept) loathe Windows, love Unix (FreeBSD), and really, really, REALLY avoid the MS upgrade tax for as long as possible.

However - seems my bosses are looking in that direction, and are thinking about investing in a MCSE cert and 2003 Server expertise - with - GROUP POLICY EDITOR. Seems like when I was out of the office it was decided that I "drew" the short straw - so looks like I'll be the one thrown on the MCSE track.

Anyway, our main job is running the ISP (freebsd servers), supporting users w/ basic inet issues in windows, and some in house support to our parent telco. It's the telco wenches that are the bain of my existence, and for whom the group policy editor tolls.

[LastKnight]

8. as a user of norton... ive got one thing to say.

shit.

that is all.

-LK

[Swamp Rat]

9. "Get a Mac dude!"

Isn't that what you wanted to hear?

[Placebo]

11. Seriously though, GET A MAC!!!!

I have one, it's rockin'

NO VIRUS PROBLEMS EVER, and it's pretty, fast, and stable. IT HAS NEVER CRASHED OR FROZEN UP ON ME.

[MisterP]

18. funny, my newly re-Frankensteined PC does the same thing

that post goes nicely with the one complaining about evil PCers bashing Mac'ers. Oh well. (I'm not involved in OS flamewars, don't worry)

[Swamp Rat]

19. I see that you are into graphic design...

What system are you running?

[Placebo]

27. On an iBook G4 right now, but getting an iMac G5

when they come out that is, heh :bounce:

[Devils Advocate NZ]

21. I love Mac users who work against their own best interests...

They just don't seem to get that the reason there are no viruses for the Mac is because so few people use them.

So I encourage everyone to go out and buy a Mac, maybe the Virus writers will leave us windows users alone for awhile!!!

[Madrone]

25. That would be all well and good if it were true...

and I'm sure Mr. Gates would prefer you think that way - HOWEVER, poor design of MS software is the main cause of viral activity in Windows.

With what browser other than IE can one become infected simply by viewing a webpage?

With what email program other than OE can one become infected by having an email show in the preview pane?


Here's a good article regarding this subject:

%<snip

We've all heard it many times when a new Microsoft virus comes out. In fact, I've heard it a couple of times this week already. Someone on a mailing list or discussion forum complains about the latest in a long line of Microsoft email viruses or worms and recommends others consider Mac OS X or Linux as a somewhat safer computing platform. In response, another person named, oh, let's call him "Bill," says, basically, "How ridiculous! The only reason Microsoft software is the target of so many viruses is because it is so widely used! Why, if Linux or Mac OS X was as popular as Windows, there would be just as many viruses written for those platforms!"

more:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/10/06/linux_vs_windows_viruses/

[Devils Advocate NZ]

28. I don't buy their argument...

It's rather simple really - all that extra security requires more knowledgable users - in fact the very kind of user who (like me) doesn't get viruses in windows because we know what we're doing.

In other words, the ONLY kind of people who would switch to Linux as their main operating system, would be the ones who wouldn't get any benefit out of having done so.

OR, and it is a big OR, the people who make Linux will do what Microsoft did and dilute the security built into their OS so that normal, mostly ignorant, users find it attractive.

Internet Explorer is a good example of this. IE has PLENTY of security built in, but it is NOT enabled automatically because unskilled users would not be able to effectively use it were it to be enabled.

The result is the browser is vulnerable. My installation however has had its security settings manually set, and not only do I not get viruses etc, I don't even need to use anti-virus software.

I do a periodic scan (every few months) anyway and never find a thing.

So the point is, the only way the vast majority of Wndows users will switch to Linux, is if Linux becomes as vulnerable as Windows, and the rest who do switch don't need to, all they have to do is use their brains.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

12. Took ya long enuf!

Now I can say "SEE! I'M VINDICATED!"

[Swamp Rat]

16. Yep. That's why I said it. I hope you feel better now.

[MichiganVote]

13. Damn. I run McAfee, SpyBot and Adware every week

and I still clean off all kinds of stuff. I keep all the programs up to date and I just feel discouraged by all of this. What else can I do? I really need all our computers to work and we don't have the money to have the pro's do it all the time.

Help!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

15. Several things

If you're on a router, make sure the hardware firewall is configured.

Don't give any common user Admin privileges. Restrict what they can do. Don't let 'em install ANYTHING. Keep their installs as pristine as possible.

If they don't need the internet, don't provide it. (Sorry, DU cube rats.)

If possible, provide a file server for all work, then protect the hell out of it. Direct more protection resources to it.

Others may add to this list at their leisure. Feel free to refute my listed items.

[MichiganVote]

22. Thanks! You're great.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

24. Yes. I know.

Can I have your billing address? I have an invoice all ready for you...

[MichiganVote]

26. I'll make a donation to DU in your name or would you

prefer the candle in the church thing.(kidding)

[NMDemDist2]

14. ok, what is it you have? McAfee what?

damn, I know hubby's puter is trashed.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

17. McAfee Enterprise

It's a virus scanner created for networks and large businesses, and is NOT cheap. I use it because it sees a whole lot of stuff Norton misses, and it's a reliable tool I can rely on for my clients.

The 32 bit command line scanner is part of a Windows GUI scanner program. It can be copied to a cd. This requires a couple files not included, but are available for download if you're good at tracking things down.

I created a custom batch file that creates a directory on the C drive and then creates a text file there that becomes the log. Also any infected files are moved there for easy deletion. Other command line switches are available. They update their definitions weekly.

It works in 32 bit Windows-- Win95 and above.

[NMDemDist2]

29. how about Symantec's online scanner? it finds stuff our onboard

virus software doesn't. It is under their "Security check" header

since I don't have a couple hundred bucks to spare have you used that or do you have any feedback on how well it does?

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

30. Any port in a storm.

Online scanners are at least part of the solution, so by all means make use of them! Of course they may be somewhat impractical for dialup users, but if available, they are a good tool.