Laptop malware issues

[FrankCrank]

...my brother back in UK has malware issues on both his laptops, and is in a blind panic trying to sort the problem, he's no techie for sure.

Shame I'm not there right now, as if I had them in front of me, maybe I could help resolve the problem.

He's taken one to PCWorld, which was a big mistake I know, but like I say he panicked and took it to the nearest main outlet. They initially said it was fixed (50 quid!) but still duff, returned to PCW and been there about a week now.

Anyways, are there any trustworthy alternatives to PCW, or is it just a case of being a lamb to the slaughter for these cowboys?

Any feed back much appreciated...........

 

[Smurfy]

If he doesn't mind relearning a few things, and does not need specialist windows based software, I'd say recover his files, then start again with something like Ubuntu. Malware is not really a problem with linux as long as you are sensible, and only install software from trusted repos. However, it is possible to pass on malware through email for example, even if your own linux machine is pretty much immune.

http://www.ubuntu.com/

Best to run it as a live cd first to check that it will function properly before installing.

 

[Arrowfoot]

Here is a long term solution.

Had similar issues when travelling overseas for an extended period and therefore not at home to help parents, in-laws and the family. Finally got fed up and got them all on Apple as a long term solution. Have had piece of mind for the last 8 years and turned out to be a worthy investment.

Microsoft for years for commercial reasons allowed malware protection to be provided by 3rd party vendors to bundle their solution at time of purchase. No one has the time to handle new versions of viruses and malware and these are mainly zero day attacks - new versions that are coded to get around the latest anti virus softwares. Microsoft finally worked it out and now has Security Essentials. It is good for most malware but to allow most legitimate software to work, they cannot shut down as tight as Apple so it is still vulnerable.

Malware that cost the most damage are the ones that allow your PC to work very well but surreptitiously copies passwords, gleans banking credentials and lies dormant of years. Interestingly they also provide "protection" against cheap malware so that their covert operations are not disrupted.

People who do these malware tend to focus on MS not because they cannot beat Apple, Linux etc but why change tact when there so much fish in the MS ocean.

 

[classic33]

Get him to search locally for a computer shop, and get a quote from them for the same type of work.
Armed with this return the laptop to PCW and present them with the two choices. Either they do the job they were paid to do, which they say had been done, or it'll be taken elsewhere and the bill passed onto them direct.

 

[FrankCrank]

....thanks for the feedback guys. He publishes a magazine, so reliable laptops are vital to him. From what I gather, this type of work is usually done on Apple products, maybe for good reason. Nearly went down the Unix path myself a few years back when Vista was about to torment us all, but luckily W7 came along and made me a happy bunny again. My brother has just about got to grips with Windows, but a lot of it is like pulling teeth with him. I can pretty much figure a way out of any glitch that crops up, but then again I couldn't produce a monthly magazine, so we're all made different eh!

Anyways, will be ringing him later - problem shared is a problem halved.....

 

[fossyant]

Run superantispywear and spybot and they should do most of the work. Also get a good either spybot and and AV installed. If a beefy machine go for Mccafe or Norton (I know some people hate them) but if you have a bit of grunt under the lid (I. E fast processor and decent ram) they work very well and stop crap before it starts.

We used this on the two most heavily used machines by my click happy 15 year old, stopped malware immediately.

Ccleaner is also good for removing general crap.

Prevention is better than a cure so always read the licence or at least skim it and check what else it is putting on.

 

[MartinQ]

https://www.malwarebytes.org/

is pretty good (without knowing the specifics of the problem)

 

[fossyant]

I always put these free programmes on relatives computers but always get a call at some point saying they aren't working. Have you used X, y or z since..... The answer is no.

 

[Tin Pot]

@FrankCrank

As @classic33 suggested, try a local computer shop instead.

For a long term solution, and as his income is based solely on magazine publishing and he seems to be a sole trader:

1. 1x PC or Laptop running the publishing, editing and any other business software like accounting.

2. Pay for this to run AV/Antimalware from someone like Trend Micro.

3. Also use an on URL filtering setup, such as K9 from Bluecoat.

- Do not open email from non-business contacts on this machine.

- Do not browse the web on this machine, only visit known websites for specific reason

4. Buy a NAS device to archive all intimation from this PC
5. Pay for cloud storage for weekly or daily backups
6. 1x Tablet with a closed, proprietary operating system - this means a legitimate iPad bought from store and not "jail broken"
- Use this for email and browsing
- Don't install anything that is not from a known company

Edit:
7. Sign up to a credit checking company to monitor whether loans or accounts are being set up in your name/address.

---------
The government is spending £4B on getting security measures in place, FTSE businesses spend millions annually. Maybe £50 at PCW isn't so bad?

 

[Drago]

He's taken one to PCWorld, which was a big mistake I know

A big mistake indeed. Just ask Gary Glitter!

I think local computer shop, then some decent anti crap software. The paid version of AVG is very good, not at all expensive.

 

[Tin Pot]

I don't want to put on a downer, but AV is not an effective measure of itself. It's like putting a handle on the safe door, it's a prerequisite step before you actually start securing the vault.

 

[Tin Pot]

We used this on the two most heavily used machines by my click happy 15 year old, stopped malware immediately.

So, it's not as simple as that.

In the old days, people wrote malware for fun. They wanted people to know how smart they were so they'd put a display up essentially saying "Ha, ha - I got you".

I'm skipping a thirty minute lecture here, but we are now in a world of sophisticated organised crime and they average Joe will never know their machines are compromised.

Until they get blackmailed. If they ever do. In the meantime their machine is harvesting bank credentials, creating fraudulent transactions, stealing photos of their kids, collecting work they've taken home, taking over their email accounts, attacking other hapless folk and companies.

Super spyware and AV stops the "Ha, ha - I got you" stuff, maybe even some older Cryptolocker stuff.

Essentially, you are fu...no...you are up shi.., well - ok you have no paddle and are in an infamous creek.

There is no magic bullet.

 

[FrankCrank]

A big mistake indeed. Just ask Gary Glitter!

I think local computer shop, then some decent anti crap software. The paid version of AVG is very good, not at all expensive.

....heh heh - went to see GG concert at the Reading Uni late 80's - didn't even know he wore a wig back then, let alone all the other stuff! Good summer though, saw Suzi Quatro at same venue. Those Uni bars sure were cheap.......I'd have learned zilch, unless gettingratassedology was something you could study.

Not gonna use up all my 'like' bullets, cheers to all for replies

 

[Cold]

I use Microsoft Security essentials,CCleaner, and AntiMalwarebytes and I've never had a problem you just have to remember to use the on a regular basis.

 

[Crackle]

Tell him to stay off the porn sites.