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Spyware Becoming Worst Tech Support Problem

Posted by michael on from the brought-to-you-by-microsoft-windows dept.

teknurd writes "Wired has an article about the growing problem of computer users having to call tech support to get help removing all of the spyware on their computers. 'The fast-growing phenomenon is already responsible for more than 12 percent of all technical support calls in Dell's consumer hardware division, the biggest category of complaints this year, company representatives said.' Personally, I have had to remove this plague from the computers of several friends and family members."

6 of 814 comments (clear)

  1. Always a winner... by theirishman · · Score: 5, Funny

    Personaly I find foramt C: the best for getting rid of crap like that!

    1. Re:Always a winner... by happyfrogcow · · Score: 4, Funny

      i prefer

      Fermat C:

      it not only formats the C drive but fills it with results of x^n + y^n = z^n for various values

  2. Bonzi Buddy by AtariAmarok · · Score: 5, Funny

    I always ask Bonzi Buddy to help solve my spyware problems. He is always so helpful!

    --
    Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
  3. Reading this article on a Linux box... by Black+Parrot · · Score: 5, Funny


    ...priceless.

    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
  4. People by Schezar · · Score: 4, Funny

    Every time I remove this crud, I explain exactly why they had it to begin with. I tell them Comet Cursor , Gator, Bonzai Buddy, and the like are VIRUSES. Absolute VIRUSES. I tell them not to download them, and the problems will never come back. I set their IE security settings to not allow Active X as well.

    Within days, they're all back. "But I LIKE my Comet Cursor! I didn't think it would happen this time."

    The problem here is that many people today lack basic problem solving skills. They see a problem with their VCR, they fix it. (Clock's off, let's say). They see a similar problem with their computer, and they freeze up and assume they can't fix it even though, in the case of the clock for example, it's the SAME PROBLEM with nearly the SAME SOLUTION.

    People don't seem to apply their own basic intelligence to computers. Nor do they seem to learn from their mistakes. "Why did you install Spambar again?"

    "I wanted the -feature-. How was I supposed to know it was bad?"

    "Because it caused this SAME PROBLEM THE LAST THREE TIMES YOU INSTALLED IT! I HATE YOU! DIEDIEDIE!" /works for tech support

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    1. Re:People by eth1 · · Score: 5, Funny

      "People don't seem to apply their own basic intelligence to computers"

      That's because computers all have a Common Sense Exclusion Field generator. Anyone coming into that field turns into a dribbling idiot. However technical type people's brainwave patterns generat electromagnetic field around them that nullifies this field. It also knocks quirky hardware and software back into order, which is why it mysteriously starts working once you show up to fix the problem.