Spyware

[Candy]

Is there /ANY/ way to configure a computer never to install any spyware or something? I just helped my GF over the phone remove 1000 references to spyware stuff, including dozens of executables, only because they don't know what it is (and didn't care until it crashed their system). Makes you so pissed

[BI lazy]

Use linux. *gg* this spyware stuff exists mostly for windows, so there it is most important to take care of it:

Never ever have activeX and JavaScript and sorts activated - especially when surfing in the dark realms of the net, where more popups and spyware bots exist than is good for anyone. I think, these programs are hidden behind "normal" webs nowadays too ...

Have a firewall device, have NAT and have most ports except the few really needed ones closed. that's the only advice I can give.

[Candy]

Use linux. *gg* this spyware stuff exists mostly for windows, so there it is most important to take care of it:

The point is it's the shared computer between both my GF and her parents, who are all not too computer literate. Let alone that they /need/ M$ sh*t for their daily activities (some sort of crappy school doesn't care that .xls is not standard... don't start about .ppt or .doc files... it's just sad those things).

Never ever have activeX and JavaScript and sorts activated - especially when surfing in the dark realms of the net, where more popups and spyware bots exist than is good for anyone. I think, these programs are hidden behind "normal" webs nowadays too ...

uhm... disabling javascript isn't an option with noobs. They'll just activate it again as instructed by "that website with that cute happy 1999 animation". Sometimes I wish...

Have a firewall device, have NAT and have most ports except the few really needed ones closed. that's the only advice I can give.

I'll try to set that up once...

I was hoping for psychological advice, what sort of brain surgery do noobs need before they understand not every email with p0rn is really p0rn? Or for the very least, IE is a bad browser and using it leads to suffering?

[DennisCGc]

You can use adaware, which scans your system for spyware, and deletes it.
And I think it would be good, if you say that some programs might have spyware like Kazaa has (no, not the Lite version), and that she nevers has to trust unknown websites.
I just hate that damn spyware. >:( >:(

[Eero Ränik]

SpywareBlaster (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html) and SpywareGuard (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html) are the best solution.

[CESS.tk]

Instead of IE, install Mozilla Firefox. Configure it for them, download the right extensions and such. I've done it for a couple of computer illiterates, and they were all happily surprised with the results.
But if you must use IE, download Spybot - Search & Destroy. It not only deletes spyware (some even ad-aware can't find) but also works together with IE to block spyware from being downloaded. (I don't know if Eero's programs also do this)
Extra plus: When Spybot says "This or that has been blocked.", they might soon begin to realise wich sites cannot be trusted.

[BI lazy]

Well, I couldna say, that IE in itself is a bad browser. It's some of the implementations behind IE which make it sorta unsecure: too many backdoors open, too many to-be-nifty automations assuming the user is a complete moron.

Psychological advice... I daresay it is best to have them crash their computer and then tell them: Look, you 've done this, this and this - if they don't pay attention to what you tell them.

I've a few friends and colleagues who don't even know what a cpu is: as you say, they don't realy care about computers. They use them for everyday stuff. But they DO pay attention to my word. If I tell: Shut this down - They shut it down. The most important poiont here is: they ask whether it is ok or not before.

I wouldn't take care of their computers if it were other.

@strangequark&eero: hmmm ... sounds interesting. I should check these links. Thanks for them!

stay safe