How To Avoid Viruses At Windows Install Time?

reallocate writes "Can a home user install and update Windows without being attacked by a virus or worm? I'm a Linux user; have been since 1995. Recently, I needed to install Windows XP Pro on a home desktop machine with a Roadrunner cable connection. I tried twice. Both times, the machine was attacked and rendered unusable before I was able to pull down the first update from Windows Update." Read on for more details of what went wrong and when.

Here's a synopsis of my install method:

1. Put the Windows XP CD in the drive;
2. Disconnect the cable modem from the network card;
3. Reboot and install Windows;
4. The box remains off the net during the entire install: no registering, no setting up an ISP, no activation, no network configuration, no nothing. (BTW, the only networking component that I install is tcp/ip. All the other MS stuff never gets on the machine.)
5. Reboot; Windows runs and all is well;
6. Install the current version of Norton Internet Security Professional from a shrinkwrapped CD (firewall, anti-virus, etc.);
7. Configure the Roadrunner net connection and reboot to pick up a DHCP lease;
8. Launch the Norton update facility (per Norton's recommendation, the built-in XP firewall is turned off);
9. Complete the Norton update and reboot;
10. Launch Windows Update;
11. Start to pull down Service Pack One; per Microsoft's instructions, all firewalls are turned off.

That's as far I got. During the first attempt, I acquired a virus or worm before I could finish the Norton update (machine powered down). On the second attempt, I got as far as Windows Update and SP1(continual rebooting).

So...how would you do it?"

Comments

This is insane

[tentimestwenty]

I've read the unending Slashdot commentary berating Windows and have always assumed that most people that used Windows just didn't care enough to let the bad things bother them. But this is insane- not even being able to install your OS before your computer is infected with a virus?!! I can't believe anybody would put up with this. It would take me 10 seconds to ditch the thing never to be tried again. I'm a Mac user so maybe my ease of use expectations are high but how stupid do you have to be to choose a product that does that to you?

Holy christ

[g0at]

Unbelievable. Is this really what windows people have to deal with for a common vanilla install? With Microsoft's recommended and most current product? Does Microsoft not sell a version on CD which is actually secure enough to install out of the box?

How about instead switching to an operating system you can put faith in?

-b

Here's a thought...

[Transcendent]

Use a frekin firewall.

You're a linux user, but you're pretty stupid.

Re:If you can stand waiting...

[hetta]

That http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/catalog/en/d efault.asp gives:
You must be running a Microsoft Windows operating system in order to use Windows Update.

That's linux + mozilla. I could have konqueror lie to MS, but I have no windows system to update -- and who cares anyway, eh? Except of course windows users who want a clean system on the web, poor pets.