News Item: : Malware Redux
(Category: Comment)
Posted by Brad R
Tuesday 05 January 2010 - 09:27:44
My thanks to Powell Gammill, who sent this thoughtful response to my report of cleaning the malware infection from my mom's computer. It's well worth reading if you're still using Windows:
My comments:
1. Agreed. I found a review that tested antivirus products against "new" (mutated) viruses; roughly 50% are detected, on average.
2. Alas, this is a Microsoft Silverlight video, so I am unable to view it. I encourage Windows users to give it a look.
3. Yes, I probably spent as many hours trying (unsuccessfully) to clean the computer as I did re-installing.
4. Good point.
5. I would have done this, but the latest version of AVG claims to have its own malware protection built in.
6. Thanks! I wasn't aware that was available.
This news item is from Goodbye, Microsoft®
( http://goodbyemicrosoft.net/news.php?extend.547 )
(Category: Comment)
Posted by Brad R
Tuesday 05 January 2010 - 09:27:44
My thanks to Powell Gammill, who sent this thoughtful response to my report of cleaning the malware infection from my mom's computer. It's well worth reading if you're still using Windows:
1. I doubt AVG will block that malware either---no antiviral product does a very good job. Malware is an installed by the user program. They behave like legitimate programs and frequently when they block and pop up some warning the user says go ahead and install. Then you know the rest.
2. Nuking the install is ALWAYS the best option. Watch the video link below... you have to admire how malware works. It is insidious. http://www.microsoft.com/emea/spotlight/sessionh.aspx?videoid=359
3. Now can you scrub a PC clean by attacking the malware one step at a time...sure the video above shows you how. But how much time did you spend versus backing up the data. Nuking. Reinstall everything clean. The check the data.
4. I would have downloaded current drivers for the PC and not used the ones on the PC maker's disk.
5. You might want to install Malwarebytes to block malware. I support my 87 year old dad's PC and I understand. I hate putting CPU cycle stealing software on any computer but sometimes people just can't help themselve. They just got to push the button to watch the dancing pink bunnies or get that free virus scan.
It may have removed the infection for you. But when my brother's PC got infected with malware (Personal Antivirus 2008) neither Malabytes nor SuperAnti-Spyware removed it.
6. If you ever have to install SP3 again, download the networked version from the Microsoft.com website and load it into your flash drive...takes just a few minutes than those agonizingly long Windows Update.
2. Nuking the install is ALWAYS the best option. Watch the video link below... you have to admire how malware works. It is insidious. http://www.microsoft.com/emea/spotlight/sessionh.aspx?videoid=359
3. Now can you scrub a PC clean by attacking the malware one step at a time...sure the video above shows you how. But how much time did you spend versus backing up the data. Nuking. Reinstall everything clean. The check the data.
4. I would have downloaded current drivers for the PC and not used the ones on the PC maker's disk.
5. You might want to install Malwarebytes to block malware. I support my 87 year old dad's PC and I understand. I hate putting CPU cycle stealing software on any computer but sometimes people just can't help themselve. They just got to push the button to watch the dancing pink bunnies or get that free virus scan.
It may have removed the infection for you. But when my brother's PC got infected with malware (Personal Antivirus 2008) neither Malabytes nor SuperAnti-Spyware removed it.
6. If you ever have to install SP3 again, download the networked version from the Microsoft.com website and load it into your flash drive...takes just a few minutes than those agonizingly long Windows Update.
My comments:
1. Agreed. I found a review that tested antivirus products against "new" (mutated) viruses; roughly 50% are detected, on average.
2. Alas, this is a Microsoft Silverlight video, so I am unable to view it. I encourage Windows users to give it a look.
3. Yes, I probably spent as many hours trying (unsuccessfully) to clean the computer as I did re-installing.
4. Good point.
5. I would have done this, but the latest version of AVG claims to have its own malware protection built in.
6. Thanks! I wasn't aware that was available.
This news item is from Goodbye, Microsoft®
( http://goodbyemicrosoft.net/news.php?extend.547 )