How to idiot proof a computer?

[AMUN]

Jon wrote:
> wrote...
>
>> I always get stuck fixing family and friends fudged up computers for
>> free.
>
> Big mistake.
> Charge them £100 an hour and they're soon learn.
> If they won't pay - tell 'em to **** off.



While it's tempting, even that won't help much.
You just get them mad at you, and next time they blame you for LEAVING
virus's in there.

Best way is to simply be too busy,..... for 2 weeks.
(saying you have a carpel tunnel flare-up and can't type for that long works
too)

Then when they are without a system for that long, they start to realize,
it's better not to frig it up again.

And of couse if they can't wait and call someone else, they will be mad at
THEM, and you are off the hook.
Then you can be a hero, and fix it for nothing, but blame "da udder guy" for
screwing something up.

[JediSpork@gmail.com]

On Dec 7, 5:32*pm, "Quilljar" <N...@home.today> wrote:
> Then I make a new folder and place it on the
> idiot's desktop labelled ONCE A WEEK
> I then install CCleaner, Malwarebytes, SuperAntispyware, AdAware, Spybot and
> Advanced System Care and put all their shortcut icons into the folder.

This is a great idea and really its all anyone can do is just to let
the programs do their work. I'm not sure how the pro's do computer
repair but if the spyware/virus programs don't seem to remove the
problem properly I just reformat. Nothing technical about it.

I've had a few friends at work that complained their computers were so
bad with spyware they could no longer use it. I didn't really want to
get involved with them so I just offered to make them a disc with a
free virus scanner and spyware removal tools. I tell them you just
follow the instructions, a few clicks of the mouse and your computer
is clean. I just get funny looks from them like maybe they think I'm
trying to give them a virus or they really have no idea what I'm
talking about. One of them just paid 200 dollars in a shop and they
have no idea what they paid for but the computer works.

I know some people that still don't have a computer and I think they
are better off that way.

[Quilljar]

Yes,
I 'fixed' friends' and neighbours' spyware and adware problems for free for
about two years. Then fed up with being 'used', I decided to go pro. With my
basic knowledge it was a cheek really, but it worked. Some stopped asking
me, but others now pay me a £30 call-out fee. Almost everything they need is
incredibly simple and soon fixed with either System Restore or one of the
free spyware progs. If I cannot fix it, I admit it and make no charge.
Many just want me to show them how to use a memory stick or to connect a new
printer. It amazes me how many people do not want to know the simplest
thing; on the other hand I sometimes meet 75/80 year old ladies who are
whizzes at computers.
The main idiocy I find, is one in five clients do not use their whole
monitor space, and will have a one or two inch black border between their
visible screen and the frame of the monitor!

--
Yours Quilly,

[JediSpork@gmail.com]

I have been reading up more and as far as I can tell spyware blaster
does not use the hosts file. All it does in mozilla is use the cookie
blocking options. I would think you can benefit more from just using a
good hosts file because it could block bad sites/ads/ and cookies. Do
I have the right idea or am I missing something?

I'm going to try out the mvps hosts file.

[Bit Twister]

On Tue, 9 Dec 2008 08:19:44 -0800 (PST), JediSpork@gmail.com wrote:

> I would think you can benefit more from just using a
> good hosts file because it could block bad sites/ads/ and cookies. Do
> I have the right idea or am I missing something?

Well, your hosts file could get pretty big, knocking your web performance
in the head. I quit using a hosts file after it crossed 700 lines.
Then you have the problem where they hard code the ip address.
Or maybe, ads are buried in some subdirectory of a site you want to
read.

Look through here to see some possible combinations.
http://www.neilvandyke.org/privoxy-r...vandyke.action

Ad servers can have all sorts of node/domain names. I use privoxy which lets
you have wild cards in the rule/action set. http://www.privoxy.org/

[JediSpork@gmail.com]

On Dec 9, 12:13*pm, Bit Twister <BitTwis...@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
> On Tue, 9 Dec 2008 08:19:44 -0800 (PST), JediSp...@gmail.com wrote:
> > I would think you can benefit more from just using a
> > good hosts file because it could block bad sites/ads/ and cookies. Do
> > I have the right idea or am I missing something?
>
> Well, your hosts file could get pretty big, knocking your web performance
> in the head. I quit using a hosts file after it crossed 700 lines.
> Then you have the problem where they hard code the ip address.
> Or maybe, ads are buried in some subdirectory of a site you want to
> read.
>
> Look through here to see some possible combinations.http://www.neilvandyke.org/privoxy-r...vandyke.action
>
> Ad servers can have all sorts of node/domain names. I use privoxy which lets
> you have wild cards in the rule/action set. * * * *http://www.privoxy.org/

Looks like a nice program. I also have been messing around with no
script. I think someone would really have to enjoy tinkering with
these programs.

I have adblock plus in firefox and subscribe to the easy list. It is
really easy because it updates without me having to mess with it.
After looking around some more I discovered there is also a filter
from Malware Domains. I think its a newer filter and not very well
known but from the little I have read users give it a thumbs up. I
haven't seen it mentioned here and was wondering if anyone else has
tried it yet?

My Dad just called me and AntiVirus2008 showed up on his pc. Not sure
what he was doing but I'm going over to see if SaS removed it
properly. I have been reading up on it and this program is very
sneaky. It looks completely legit and directs you to a site that you
can wire money to buy the full version after it informs you that your
pc is infected with spyware and viruses. I was reading older topics
and the thing would re-create itself after a spyware program deleted
it but hopefully SaS was updated to deal with that.

I found references to these rogue antivirus programs in Malware
Domains so I guess they are keeping tabs on them.
I wonder if the mvps hosts file uses the same entries? So a hosts
file slows down your browser and the only cure is to disable dns
hosting? I see some people saying this starts even more problems and
other say its harmless. If a hosts file could stop even 25% of the
crap out there I would think a slow down is more than worth it.

I'm heading over to my parents again to see if SaS pro did its job.
I'm also going to put adblock plus on firefox for them and do Malware
Domains.

Almost everyone I know at work that has a computer has mentioned they
get weird pop ups or they think they have some kind of virus. I bet
something like 75% of home computers are infected with crap. Banks and
credit card companies should be investing money into improving anti
malware technology. Its just so ridiculous and getting to the point
where if you dont know how to reformat and tinker with your system you
are better off without one.

[Bit Twister]

On Sun, 14 Dec 2008 04:57:11 -0800 (PST), JediSpork@gmail.com wrote:

> Almost everyone I know at work that has a computer has mentioned they
> get weird pop ups or they think they have some kind of virus. I bet
> something like 75% of home computers are infected with crap. Banks and
> credit card companies should be investing money into improving anti
> malware technology. Its just so ridiculous and getting to the point
> where if you dont know how to reformat and tinker with your system you
> are better off without one.

Yes, even more dangerous since the Black Hat are changing DNS records. :-(

My solution is to check the ip address of any place I use a login.

If the ip address does not match my copy, I throw up a message and do
not launch the application.

[ionus]

use a PC with a copy of server 2003 or virtualize it to a laptop connect to there internet via router (if applicable) then assign a mandatory profile with restricted search rights etc. tada its now idiot proofed.

[Ichibod]

JediSpork@gmail.com wrote:

> I have started to tell people they will always have problems until
> they improve their internet habits.

Don't fix their computers for them. Make them learn how to do it
themselves. That's the only way to idiot proof a computer. You are a
nice person to do it for them but are not really doing them any long
term favors.

[Ichibod]

Buffalo wrote:

> I think SypwareBlaster uses the hosts file. The free version has to be
> updated manually.

Don't think so. Spybot has immunization which it writes to the Hosts
file but I believe Spywareblaster adds entries to block via the registry.