Just one good reason to Hate Windows and PCs in general!!

[BouncingAyatollah]

Ouch!

1) Install ZoneAlarm - it's free! Set Internet security to High and manually allow/disallow programs in (obviously) and OUT! Deny anything OUT that you don't expect to go out (Word wants to go online? wtf!? F**k off!)
2) Latest Ad-Aware as others have said, use RefUpdate to keep config database current.
3) Use anything other than M$ software, for everything! MP3 - WinAmp, web/mail NS7.01 or Opera 7.01 More secure, faster.
4) Block popup ads - Opera7.01 and NS7.01 do this automatically if you choose.
5) Block banner ads - AdFree. Note to Wayne, it only blocks common generic servers, not amiga.org ads, honest! :-)
6) Never submit even your e-mail address to any form online unless you TRUST the site. Have 2 e-mail accounts, 1 on PC for trusted/friends. 1 webmail for signing up to stuff.
7) Put this in your Autoexec.bat
regsvr32.exe -u regwizc.dll
8)Use RegCleaner (NOT the M$ similarly named one) to clean/remove stuff from the registry or use regedit and remove stuff (use the above if you're unsure)
9)Do the other million things you need to to get a workable, secure Winbloat system on your Piece of Crap! 8-O

[BouncingAyatollah]

Oh yeah - AVG Antivirus - it's free!

[BouncingAyatollah]

@Paul_Gadd

Blaming Windows when clearly the user is at fault, totally pathetic

I agree, wanting to install only programs they expect? Silly users. LOL!

[BouncingAyatollah]

@Paul_Gadd

No it is the STUPID USERS who do not read the Disclaimer in software which clearly says it installs additional software which may collect personal info, monitor surfing, serve ads etc,

This isn't always the case. Run Ad-Aware or similar routinely and you will find spy software or components which have apparently magically appeared, such as the component that is installed with IE. Similarly (although technically not the same issue) I object to applications connecting across the net without me EXPLICITLY telling them to (especially when the other end of the connection has root access via some EULA or as a built-in feature of XP). After you set up a good firewall, all and sundry wants to connect to send "something", "somewhere". I have known friends find utility software which was seemingly routinely sending packets to an unkown IP.

The issues with XP are more worrying however (although again technically a similar not identical issue). They are enabling official methods whereby a software firewall can be bypassed! WTF!? EULAS stating "give us *root* access or you can't run this" are despicable. Bargaining desire for new features versus your security!  It seems to me M$ may be (allegedly :-) ) either sifting data insidiously or attempting to update the OS "behind your back" so they don't suffer the humiliation of endless "public" security disclosures. i.e. if we can update stuff sneakily it won't seem sh*t.

Isn't this approach preferable: buy RedHat, sign up for RedHat Network. THEY send you security bulletins and say "hey, come get the updates". Open. Honest. More broadly, the M$ method: as secure as a sponge until you switch more and more things off versus the linux approach: as tight as a gnat's chuff and you allow extra features as and when. If the tightness of said gnat's chuff is compromised, THEY tell YOU and the problem is fixed ASAP.

[BouncingAyatollah]

@Paul_Gadd

I am on about programs which tells the user it contains spyware but the users just ignores it and installs anyway, weeks later they remove the software but spyware is lett behind then more weeks go by then the #### hits the fan and the user blaims Windows.

Well, that's fair enough if it IS clearly stated rather than obscurely worded or hidden.

I think the problem will become more pernicious in time however as such things are hidden sneakily inside half-a-dozen page EULAs or "by default" as a "feature". One to watch I think. In fact THIS is the very reason I decided maybe about a year ago to learn to be technically proficient with linux (still ongoing ). I think the time will come where Windows (and in this case I do mean the OS Windows, not just spyware enabled apps) will not be inherently secure as in you control your own bleedin' machine unless you have a hardware firewall! Imagine this too... using the "bargain features versus security" tactic, suppose M$ eventually "oh so surprisingly" phase out the ability to connect to a server yourself for updates in favour of the "superior" let-us-do-it-for-you-and-give-us-root-access(tee-hee) method. In other words, use our automatic methods or nothing, what then?

For me, linux or AmigaOS or I think (maybe the new OS from Sony/Toshiba/IBM(?) will be good)...