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[`_100003005030 (Zero)]

I just got a frantic call from a family member.  Her Windows PC came up spouting tons of message about being attacked by virii, malware, and other such crap.  She had the sense not to click on something lest THAT be the malware in question.

Turns out she let her protective software expire ages ago -- but does her banking online!

I know this is beyond my capability to handle over the phone.  She's asking about freeware, but I'm thinking more draconian measures may be needed right now; sounds like she needs a good scrubbing.

Any recommendations?  (Beyond "You CAN'T do online  banking on an unprotected computer; might as just post your cash online."  She's gotten that one.  Next I offered to tell her where babies come from.)

[Barbara]

I just got a frantic call from a family member.  Her Windows PC came up spouting tons of message about being attacked by virii, malware, and other such crap.  She had the sense not to click on something lest THAT be the malware in question.

Turns out she let her protective software expire ages ago -- but does her banking online!

I know this is beyond my capability to handle over the phone.  She's asking about freeware, but I'm thinking more draconian measures may be needed right now; sounds like she needs a good scrubbing.

Any recommendations?  (Beyond "You CAN'T do online  banking on an unprotected computer; might as just post your cash online."  She's gotten that one.  Next I offered to tell her where babies come from.)

After going through TWO blue screens of death this week, mine and Tiny's desktops I appreciate the freeware more and more.

AVG is s free download that I recommend....but ask the tech boys - Geoff, Adam, D, Andy and the rest of the Meep Squad.

egads I have named the group!

[Sinkuu]

also, see the thread that Brian started that I posted in.  some good sites there, too.

[D]

Your family member has likely hit on a site that has at least attempted to "clickjack" him/her.

While they were wise to run screaming in fear, they may have fallen into the trap regardless.  I highly recommend the following course of action:

-Download Malware Bytes Anti Malware from http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
-Start in Safe Mode, (hold down F8 when windows begins to boot), and proceed to run as deep a scan in MBAM as possible.  Clean any issues that arise.  Dollars to donust s/he runs into something called "vundo".  It's one of the most common clickjakcers, and one I come across WAY too often.
-Restart computer.  Download and install latest version of Firefox, and get the "Ad Block Plus" addon.  This will provide a secure browser, and will block 95%+ of all advertisements/popups which are how these things usually start.  If they REALLY want to get in with the paranoid crowd, and require to stay in Windows Land, they can also get the "NoScript" addon for Firefox.  This stops all external web scripting from running without prior authorization from the user.
-NEVER EVER RUN INTERNET EXPLORER, UNLESS IT IS REQUIRED BY THE WEBSITE YOU ARE USING.  IE is still a piece of trash, that has a malevolent open source community just itching to exploit it.  Also never add in anything like Yahoo or Google Toolbar.  These things have an do update without permission and slow down your machine's performance when they do.
-Most extreme solution: Get a Macintosh setup by a Double Exposure consultant.  Or breakdown, stretch the neurons, and learn Linux.  Flavor of UNIX > Any crap out of Redmond, any day.

[Tor]

Trend Micro has a wonderful *FREE* on-line anti-virus for those in need.

[klz_fc]

Sounds like the Vundo series of fake virus alerts to me too. The only two programs that have completely removed the infections I've come across is MalwareBytes and SuperAV/SuperAntiMalware but I trust MalwareBytes a bit more.

While a new OS is clearly not optimal for someone who isn't already attuned to changing systems, I'd also strongly recommend Firefox or Opera or Safari instead of IE. IE is the main source of infections.

We've tried Avira, AVG, Trend, Norton, and McAfee, but none have cleared up the latest Vundo strains. AVG and Avira are the better ones outside of the Vundo virii, though.

[D]

Vundo is pretty damn insidious, and the scum behind it re mutating the bloody code well enough that it takes some serious focus to nail it.  Malwarebytes has been damn strong about fighting Vundo, almost as if it were a vendetta.   And yeah operating system switch is definitely the "extreme".  But if you can wrap your head around it, you have nothing but the frustration to lose.

[`_100003005030 (Zero)]

Well, this isn't me we're talking about, it's a non-tech savvy relation.  The fact that she let all her protection expire a while back, and yet banks online, should be a clue.  And she's across the country from me.  What she wants/needs is something that requires a minimum of knowledge and effort from her.  She won't be able to deal with switching browsers when the website won't cooperate, and Linux is out of  the question.

I'll see how far she's gotten, but if this is going to be complicated, I'm gonna recommend she take it to somebody who knows what they're doing.  I'll let you know what happens.

[Oni no Ted]

http://failblog.org/2009/06/22/norton-antivirus-fail/

[Horace]

I'd also strongly recommend Firefox or Opera or Safari instead of IE. IE is the main source of infections.

Ok. I've always used IE. I know enough about computers to sign on the internet, follow the directions to load or download and use programs, and ask for help beyond that. (there are still some features of my 5 year old cell phone I havent figured out)
For someone like me, what kind of learning curve is there to switch to firefox, opera or safari?
For example, when I log on to these forums, will I have to do anything different?

Same question re; Windows vs Linux please.

[klz_fc]

With Firefox and Opera (or even Safari if you so choose), installation is fairly simple. Download it and run the program and they will install, usually offering to import your bookmarks (Favorites).

Usage-wise, you likely won't notice too many differences with the display. Forward, backward, home, and refresh buttons are similar (perhaps with different icons, but identifiable enough), and the address bar is similar. If you use IE6, the search bar that defaults to Google might be a bit unusual, but you aren't required to use it. There are features that many of us enjoy, but shouldn't affect how you use the browser otherwise. You'll have to install things like Flash or Quicktime again if you use them.

You will most likely notice that some websites won't work the same. This is far less common now, but can still be an issue with work related sites and sites that cater to a specific need. Some sites may also appear different. If you choose to try it, it won't get rid of IE, and you can always go back to it if it isn't to your liking.

Your question on Linux is a whole other can of worms and depends on a lot of factors. If you don't do much with your computer other than web browsing and perhaps some light word processing or spreadsheet work, something easy to install and Windows-like in appearance like Ubuntu are pretty complete and usable. Once you get past the initial stages, if you need to add other programs, you will run into potential complications as Linux is not strictly the "same" under the various names. Think of them more like Windows Vista vs Windows XP where something will install and work on one but not the other, and they work and appear somewhat differently, though they use essentially the same core insides.

You can try some of them out with a "livecd" version (basically the computer runs off of the cd and lets you try it without destroying anything on your computer), though no guarantees that it can read the data you already have on your computer.

Hope this helps a bit!

[Horace]

Yes it does help.
I'll back up my computers on my ebook and give the web browsers a try.
Maybe someone will have linux or ubuntu on a computer at dex for me to check out?

Thanks.

[klz_fc]

Assuming you can download and burn a dvd, Ubuntu has a "live" dvd you can use to try it out too.

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/dvd/current/