Relatives computers ...

[Grok]

I'm at my mom's house, cleaning her computer ... several hours into it (dialup and AOL, double evil), have found these so far:

ADW.RULEDOR.C
BKDR.RULEDOR.E
BKDR.SANDBOX.A
BKDR.SDBOT.CY
TROJ.AGENT.BI
TROJ.AGENT.L
TROJ.REVOP.A
TROJ.REVOP.F
TROJ.SMALL.GO
WORM.BOBAX.A
WORM.BOBAX.C
WORM.SASSER.B

Plus deleted 12-20 adware/spyware/malware programs.  Killed about 20 things from Run registry entries.  Cleaned out 75% of Program Files\*

Nightmare.  Might be easier to reinstall WinXP Pro SP1.  Oh that's another thing, this box is completely unpatched.  No SP1, nada.

Last time I was here, I installed WinXP Home and secured it for her.  They later took it to a computer shop (they were confused over there being a C: and D: drive, thought it was slowing down the computer).  The geniuses there installed XP Pro for her and left it unpatched and wide open.

I hate it when professionals help me.

[Thing]

I love that type of "professional".  I especially enjoy bidding on jobs, losing them because I'm so high priced, and then have the company call me to come in and fix the crap the low bidder screwed up.

By the way, are you down with HijackThis.  Nifty tool to keep in your bag when you are fighting browser hijacks..

[Stealth]

They later took it to a computer shop (they were confused over there being a C: and D: drive, thought it was slowing down the computer).  The geniuses there installed XP Pro for her and left it unpatched and wide open.

That's really pathetic. Further proof that the entire success of internet worms lies squarely on the shoulders of stupid people.

Edit: While we're naming tools to have in your fix kit, here's two: BHODemon allows direct control over IE Browser Helper Objects, and Process Explorer is invaluable.

[Grok]

Well lucky me.  I guess my corporate CDkey for Windows XP Professional is one of the 'banned' ones and does not work with the 'new Windows Update'.  So even though I have installed XP Pro w/SP1, I cannot patch it further.

Worse even, because AOL modifies, no, hacks to death, the TCP/IP drivers, and I cannot even turn on the XP firewall.  XP wants the original XP Pro SP1 CD, which I put in so it can replace the original TCP/IP files, and then AOL immediately patches it back.

So AOL doesn't let you use XP firewall?!  Unfortunately Comcast and BellSouth have already pissed off my mom so much she refuses to go back to either of them.  What a mess.

[Mephisto]

Uhh...broadband?

[Tuberload]

Uhh...broadband?

I don't know about where he lives but here my only choice for broadband is Comcast (Cable), Qwest (DSL), and whoever provides satellite internet services.

Unfortunately Comcast and BellSouth have already pissed off my mom so much she refuses to go back to either of them.  What a mess.

It sounds to me like he already answered your question of why not broadband...

[Hazard]

I'm at my mom's house, cleaning her computer ... several hours into it (dialup and AOL, double evil), have found these so far:

ADW.RULEDOR.C
BKDR.RULEDOR.E
BKDR.SANDBOX.A
BKDR.SDBOT.CY
TROJ.AGENT.BI
TROJ.AGENT.L
TROJ.REVOP.A
TROJ.REVOP.F
TROJ.SMALL.GO
WORM.BOBAX.A
WORM.BOBAX.C
WORM.SASSER.B

Plus deleted 12-20 adware/spyware/malware programs.  Killed about 20 things from Run registry entries.  Cleaned out 75% of Program Files\*

Nightmare.  Might be easier to reinstall WinXP Pro SP1.  Oh that's another thing, this box is completely unpatched.  No SP1, nada.

Last time I was here, I installed WinXP Home and secured it for her.  They later took it to a computer shop (they were confused over there being a C: and D: drive, thought it was slowing down the computer).  The geniuses there installed XP Pro for her and left it unpatched and wide open.

I hate it when professionals help me.

I feel your pain. Every time I run checks on my sister's or my mother's computer it proves to be fucked up beyond belief, and every time a "technician" comes out it goes from worse to "I can't fucking believe this" kind of worse.

[quasi-modo]

Unfortunately Comcast and BellSouth have already pissed off my mom so much she refuses to go back to either of them.  What a mess.

comcast and bellsouth... the two providers in my town. Where exactly do you live? We could be neighbors, but even if we find out we are, don't worrie, I will not try to come and hang out with you.

[hismajesty]

The only cable provider in my area is Cox (maybe some local places too?), and the only DSL provider is Verizon.

[Falcon[anti-yL]]

We have Road runner for cable and SBC for dsl. I wish Cablevision was down here, Optimum online is fast as hell.

[MyndFyre]

The only cable provider in my area is Cox (maybe some local places too?), and the only DSL provider is Verizon.

We have Cox for cable or Qwest for DSL.  I have to say, Qwest DSL is pretty good -- we payed for 1mb service (theoretical max should be 125 kilobytes/sec, average at 100 kilobytes/sec), but during peak times even I sustain at 150 kilobytes/sec.

[muert0]

I've got cox for $25 a month for 3mb. But LSU students get a pretty good discount I think it runs $50 without the student  ID.

[Tuberload]

The only cable provider in my area is Cox (maybe some local places too?), and the only DSL provider is Verizon.

We have Cox for cable or Qwest for DSL.  I have to say, Qwest DSL is pretty good -- we payed for 1mb service (theoretical max should be 125 kilobytes/sec, average at 100 kilobytes/sec), but during peak times even I sustain at 150 kilobytes/sec.

How much are you paying for the DSL service? I use Comcast cable, they say it is 4mbit and I usualy get between 350-450kb download speed. I am paying about $45 US a month for it.

[cefx-]

Dialup!
w00t.

No cable OR DSL providers in my area.

fjear.

[Archonist]

Dialup!
w00t.

No cable OR DSL providers in my area.

fjear.

* syslink fjears.