Alright so I just got a PC from my cousin. It was infected really bad and just overall really horrible. I backed up the data and reformatted the PC. It runs great. What are some things you'd suggest to install to prevent them from fuburing it again. I have installed AVG because it's non-invasive compared to Avira that has pop ups. I just don't want to mod Avira and block the popups because something might break in the future. I don't want to get calls about petty crap lol. Is adaware still worth installing? I have installed Firefox with Adblock Plus plugin.
Honestly, for those who manage to rake in that much malware, nothing short of a full-scale educational assault upon the user(s) of the computer is likely to help. Teach him how to use Firefox with NoScript, and set up a spyware scanner to run automatically on a set schedule, as well as CCleaner, I guess.
If you're trying to keep it free, throw some Spybot S&D with CCleaner to clean up the garbage. Spybot has Immunize to somewhat 'prevent' malware. AVG Free with a daily scan is a good idea too. I have this setup on my mom's computer and she's been running without pop-up issues for a few months now. Before that, her computer was INFESTED with malware.
Spybot's immunizer isn't too bad, just invasive. FF plus CCleaner plus AVG plus weekly runs of Combofix should be more than enough.
Spybot Free AVG Make his account a non-administrator Seriously, that last step will immunize all but the most retarded. Make a separate admin account so he can install stuff, but explain to him to NEVER enter the credentials unless he knows exactly what is requiring them. Total security can be had by just not giving him admin rights at all, but it's not practical unless you have easy access and the inclination to manage his machine.
Definitley adblock plus (filter g set isn't updated anymore). Get rid of all adobe software and put foxit on it. Vlc Cdburnerxp Vuse bit torrent set to classic mode (it's either that or they are going to use limwire or bearshare or some other crappy p2p software) Paint.net (this program kicks ass! If they don't have ms office put on open office If they want an email client how about thunderbird (I don't use email soft) If it's winXP and they have a decent system then I like to pretty it up with vistamizer Winrar Uninstall (as in remove all shortcuts) ie
