I was at my sisters yesterday for a birthday party. She had been telling me how slow her computer was running with blue screens galore. I had told her that since the computer was going on 5 years old I would probably just format and start fresh.

I figured I would mess around with it yesterday and see what I could do to tide her over until I have a weekend to spare to do the format and reinstall.

I started off my updating and running AVG. Now, she has AVG installed, but thought the boot scan was all it did and never bothered to update or run a full system scan. After the AVG update (30 min. due to 56k) I started a full system scan. I noticed the scan was taking really long and seemed to be spending a lot of time on .temp files. So, I pause the scan and go digging around. Here is what I found:

Temp. Internet Files--Over 3000
Temp. Files--Over 2000

Get that cleared up and re-run AVG. Total of 13 bad guys. Get that all fixed up and install AdAware. 159 hits from AdAware!!!!!!!!!!

I was running short on time (wife was nagging me go leave) so I started a defrag. and told her to check it in the morning (it might be half way finished at that point )

Moral of the story: Take the time to teach your family and friends some basic computer cleaning and upkeep skills. You will be able to enjoy the cake and ice cream at the next birthday party you attend:)

I have a family just like yours. Happily surfing the net without even the sniff of a firewall. When the internet started running slowly my niece deleted all kinds of files to help speed things up INCLUDING NORTON. Needless to say they had 4 trojans, more than 300 items of spyware (and I've still not cleared them all). On one profile alone there were 4500+ temp internet files and all four of them have their own profile. Now I'm no expert but it just goes to show how little your average bod knows about security and the general upkeep of their magic box.

Appreciate that, parputt, maybe you should pin this and lilliebet's post in the New User forum. Would prove informative. If you can't pin it there, send 'em down here to look at it.

very informative this is..... i had a similar problem....... frnd of mine helped me out... now ill learn to do it my self.......

I sorted out my sister-in-law's computer for her and Ad-Aware found over 2300 items! Is this a record? She now runs AVG and Ad-Aware weekly and keeps them updated (I hope!).

Hi beynac,

Welcome to CastleCops

If it is a record, I would not like to hold it!

I find the best thing is seeing their expression the first time I run CCleaner on someone else's system - all the cookies, temporary internet files and so on. That is the time they realise they don't need 30 days history

My favorite thing to do is to take them into the temporary internet file folder and locate a bank site in there that has their account number on it. Then I tell them to run CCleaner and tell them that the longer it is running the more useless junk they had on their system, longest time it took was 4 hours. T_T I had a computer which I first learned computer stuff on, when I first ran anti-malware stuff each found over 2000 items, McAfee did not, it found over 20000 yes Twenty Thousand items. Needless to say it ran faster. Way faster. After a full repair and deletion of unused items it ran like new.

My sister holds the record at my shop with 147 boot up processes .

I made a clone of her drive to use for antimalware testing and just formatted the drive (her request) . It took more than 7 minutes to boot her system like that . I can't believe how bad some people let their systems get before they say something . Oh yeh it also was xp with 128 mb of ram and a 5400 rmp hard drive . Craptacular . My mom and dad still uses a 98 "first edition" machine with 64 mb of ram . It has AOL and norton on it also . They don't ever shut it down (unless it crashes) because of how long it takes to boot .

Hmm I would teach if people needed my help.

Unfortunately none of my family or friends seem to have any problems with malware on computers at all. Not sure why they are all so smart.

I just lately had to clean up the detritus left by the Windoblows Genuine Advantage tattoo on a friend's computer....

However, as to myself..... since I run linux.....and also don't go where grandma wouldn't want me to go.....

it's kind of like the fellow on my ship when I was in the Navy....he was a "torpedoman"....the torpedoes had become automated by that time....and his sole job....was....to....once per watch....to open a small cover on each torpedo...and clean the arming switch with what "
used to be called" a "pinstriping brush".... a really fluffy brush when dry....

then....he took a long nap...

I feel one coming on now...

woodsmoke

Parputt,

I hope you don't mind, but i copied your avatar's saying for use in mine at the forum Xandros for the nonce...

woodsmoke

The other way round for me. When I first got my computer I told my dad not to use it as there was no AV or Firewall isntalled and seeming it's a modem not a router I connect with I knew it would mean trouble if he did. Still didn't stop him from browsing the net mind. I came back to find around 60 items of spyware and around 52 trojans. God knows what other sort of malware was on there.

Had to reformat after only having the pc for 2 hours. :s

BTW on a mroe random note any one know how I can get my old account back (Tib). Which member would I have to talk to about it? Just it was registerd on a freinds email at the time and when I formated my PC last week (non malare realted problem for a change) I lost my old account info. . Also If no one beleivs me an admin can check my IP.

Thanks

Tib