Free, Near-Foolproof Way to Evade Windows Spyware

adam wenner writes "I have typed up instructions for 'non-computer people' on how to remove spyware and malware (and viruses for that matter). I have tested this procedure on about 40 computers and have never had any problems with any of it. Most people would say a nice 'format c:' would solve the problem, but for most people, that isn't good, and it's a headache reinstalling and migrating stuff over to a freshly formatted machine." I could have used this a few months ago while trying to mitigate malware damage to a friend's system.

Comments

Re:Rule 1 of any foolproof system

[ConceptJunkie]

As long as I can remember consumer organisations have warned against pyramid schemes.

Too bad we can't get them to admit Social Security is a pyramid scheme.

Don't hate spyware. See it as a sign so that you know the person you are dealing with is slightly denser then your cat.

Yes, this will win you lots of friends. Step out of the computer lab into that big room with blue ceiling some time. If you don't start acknowledging it exists and is a good place to be, no one will like you and you'll be very lonely. I know people smarter than both you and I who would greatly benefit from this information.

I imagine you are one of those people who blames the victims whenever a crime occurs because by not taking enough precautions, they somehow deserve it.

This is exactly the kind of education that people need to become knowledgeable enough to stay safe. It's fairly simple and short and is exactly the right kind of information for people like you and me to share with our non-technical friends and relatives. The person who submitted the article knows the /. audience will utilize this information as a handy list to send (or explain) to people who need their help. I don't know about you, but I end up helping a lot of people who have better things to do than spend their lives fiddling with some stupid glowing box (like I do).

The real boneheads are the software companies that market their tools as usable by anyone, even though the uneducated will almost certainly cause themselves and others harm.