Maybe someone can enlighten me...

gamblingman

gamblingman

VIP Member
I feel that I have a decent understanding of how to prevent infections on my computer. And I also have a decent ability to remove infections. I really never have any problems, but I know people who have problems constantly. I also see people on here all the time with massive infections that cripple their computers.

I don't understand how people get so infected. Maybe I'm just weird that I don't use file sharing services, or go to porn, or whatever....

I helped my in-laws recently, maybe you remember my thread. Malwarebyes found over 600 infections on their computer, ugh it was a mess. But I have no idea where it all came from. I ended up having to reinstall their OS to fix the problems. They haven't had any other problems that I know of since then. Of course it took me two days, at least, to reinstall then update everything.

So tell me, what is happening for people get so many viruses? Is it computers that arent updated, or going to web sites that are problematic, or what? I really dont know.
 
So tell me, what is happening for people get so many viruses? Is it computers that arent updated, or going to web sites that are problematic, or what? I really dont know.
Click to expand...
They download all kindsa fishy stuff like "24972348723 NEW SMILIES LOL ZOMZOMGZOMGOMGOMGNOMNOMNOM" and click every "U IZ TEH 12345 VISITOR GET A FREE CAR" link, open all spam emails from "pharmacies" selling discount viagra, pirate stuff and get pr0n from questionable sources... that's about it.

So, it's combination of bad browsing/internet habits as well as out-of date systems and protection software, really. It's easy to get your computer full of viruses if you let your guard down - hell, I did and not even too many years ago (I think it's been 4 years since I installed AVG and after a scan, 400+ infections); that's when I had the habit of downloading all kindsa free games. Most of them were legit, mind; it's just that often when they come with this "install this-and-that toolbar" it ends up installing a not-so-friendly program that only managed to get bundled in because it's not outright malicious... just annoying and impossible to get rid of (I'm looking at you, bloody "whenusearch").
 
yeah but,

Nah, I know how to be safe, that isnt at issue here. In fact most people HATE using my computer because of all the security measures I have in place.

I use TrendMicro to COMPLETELY block certain pages from being even being displayed. Sites like ads, porn, unknown, gambling, hate sites, joke sites, malicious sites, torrents, and so much more are totally blocked. All that shows if I click a link to a page like that it just shows what looks like a 404 page with T.M. advisory about the threat being blocked and how I can unblock the page if I want to. I also use No Script (on Firefox) and it stops all scripts from running unless I choose to ok them, it also prevents clickjacking.

I also ran a bit of code that completely disabled the auto-run feature of XP. Which means that when I put a DVD, CD, or anything it just comes up showing the files on the device. Nothing can run without me choosing to run it.

I ALSO use malwarebytes, HJT, Super antispyware, and my av is Trend Micro.

What I was wondering is how people get viruses. I guess hackapelite pretty much hit the nail on the head. I just cant believe that people can be so dumb to click on anything that shows up. I mean really! Do people really click those stupid ads and open all their emails without thought???
 
Last edited:
There are tons of people that aren't educated about how bad the internet can be without careful surfing habits. It's even terrible when you can get infected from using facebook. Every new client I get, I educate them on how to surf, not to open any emails from people they don't know...etc. Some people don't even run virus or malware software and they ask me what malware is...

So basically all you can do is clean up their system and then educate them. But some people just won't listen to you no matter what you say.
 
i have absolutely no virus or spyware protection on my pc. i also have the friewall turned off. i have had my pc running for about 6 moths now and i just ran malewarebytes and it found 1 infection, and it wasnt even serious. i didnt know about it, and it didnt affect performance. some people just do crazy stuff
 
ganzey said:
i have absolutely no virus or spyware protection on my pc. i also have the friewall turned off. i have had my pc running for about 6 moths now and i just ran malewarebytes and it found 1 infection, and it wasnt even serious. i didnt know about it, and it didnt affect performance. some people just do crazy stuff
Click to expand...

Well, then use an A/v. 1 infection can open the floodgates and then more and more come pouring in. :P
 
what can be seen

I have seen some malware reasons as the result of a computer I dealt with recently. From what I can tell, the person or persons using the machine were going to sites that issue free coupons, discounts on products, etc...

The problems I found (over 400 infections!) were all related to things like 'shopperhelpertoolbar' or couponsforfree infections. Probably from going to unsecured sites (unknowingly) and either downloading programs or just going into those pages and clicking around the links contained therein.

It doesn't matter what AV, or other protections I could give them since they aren't careful about where they go. If I browsed around like they do, I would probably be infected in a matter of minutes. And anyway they wont listen to me, its just always "just fix it so I can use my computer". It makes me wonder what their cars and finances look like, I shudder to think about it.

I wont take checks from them anymore, after several bounces.....yeah. Cash only transactions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top