Shortest time to infect a computer?

[Yellow Fang]

I thought young people were supposed to be IT savvy these days. Clear the history before asking anyone to fix your computer. Better still, install linux on the PC in dual boot mode and log onto that if you want to view porn. That's what it's for. You would still have the problem of downloading illegal music, but no doubt there are linux applications for that too.

 

[subaqua]

its looking like my laptop has succumbed to a nasty , although its a strange one. outlook 2007 wont function at all if i have the laptop connected to the network. unplug it from the network and it works fine . pain that i can't download emails into outlook though and have to use the web access . have run antivirus , CCcleaner, malwarebytes spybot adaware , all up to date and nothing found. run a repair on office 2007 from disc and it still does zip. m,aybe its time to get a new laptop and use this banjaxed one for experiments

 

[fossyant]

I thought young people were supposed to be IT savvy these days.

Nope - not my experience. Just users. They are not interested in how it works, and treat them like any other consumable electrical item, which of course they aren't really, and can go wrong.

 

[goody]

Better still, install linux on the PC in dual boot mode and log onto that if you want to view porn. That's what it's for.

Looking at Linux users in a completely different light now.
I've never purchased any anti virus software, using microsoft security essentials seems OK.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I thought young people were supposed to be IT savvy these days. Clear the history before asking anyone to fix your computer. Better still, install linux on the PC in dual boot mode and log onto that if you want to view porn. That's what it's for. You would still have the problem of downloading illegal music, but no doubt there are linux applications for that too.

Firefoxes download helper will download most video and music, I've been on Ubuntu for a few years now, but never thought of it in that way.

 

[fenlandpsychocyclist]

I hate pc's ... not because i don't know how to fix them (i've fixed everything from a commodore pet upwards).
Nope, its more a case of hating the time i waste staring at a screen that isn't doing much.

I have to look after 28 machines and 4 servers at work which have gradually been added to the inventory of things i maintain over the years.
In this case you have the "child-like" attributes of work-colleagues on top of the problems windows pc's have. Recipe for disaster!

I've taken the line that any pc that has "staff installed" software is locked off and an independant i.t consultant called in to effect repairs.
Also, if a member of staff asks me how to do something, they are referred back to their supervisor for further training.

The single biggest problem with all pc's nowadays is the ID10T behind the keyboard.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

The single biggest problem with all pc's nowadays is the ID10T behind the keyboard.

That, and anything to do with USB connected Garmin devices.

 

[ColinJ]

That, and anything to do with USB connected Garmin devices.

What's up with them?

(I was just thinking that the one niggle I have with my old Garmin Etrex is that it uses RS232 comms and a silly connector so I had to buy an expensive dedicated lead, and then a serial-to-USB converter cable to connect it to my laptop. I managed to get that combination working reliably, so I'm surprised that a native USB connection is problematic!)

 

[fenlandpsychocyclist]

What's up with them?

(I was just thinking that the one niggle I have with my old Garmin Etrex is that it uses RS232 comms and a silly connector so I had to buy an expensive dedicated lead, and then a serial-to-USB converter cable to connect it to my laptop. I managed to get that combination working reliably, so I'm surprised that a native USB connection is problematic!)

Er?? I've had a few garmin devices and they've always behaved well on usb.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

What's up with them?

Er?? I've had a few garmin devices and they've always behaved well on usb.

Then I suggest you google Garmin + USB Device not recognized or similar!

 

[fenlandpsychocyclist]

Aww ... i see. Not good! Loadsa problems.
People nowadays just want things to work when they plug them in.

 

[subaqua]

I hate pc's ... not because i don't know how to fix them (i've fixed everything from a commodore pet upwards).
Nope, its more a case of hating the time i waste staring at a screen that isn't doing much.

I have to look after 28 machines and 4 servers at work which have gradually been added to the inventory of things i maintain over the years.

this case you have the "child-like" attributes of work-colleagues on top of the problems windows pc's have. Recipe for disaster!

I've taken the line that any pc that has "staff installed" software is locked off and an independant i.t consultant called in to effect repairs.
Also, if a member of staff asks me how to do something, they are referred back to their supervisor for further training.

The single biggest problem with all pc's nowadays is the ID10T behind the keyboard.

the problem there is that the IT department and senior management of all departments very rarely understand what software we actually NEED , to assist in making our day workable. we all got given camera phones so we have a camera for recording tghings on site- connect it to PC with lead , need to install software. this involves anything from a 2 hour wait or a 2 week wait depending on which greasy geek responds to the polite request to install an approved software item . something that shouild have been rolled out when IT did the last integrated software rollout.

One of the other problems we also have is the IT dept having less knowledge of PC software issues and how to fix them than a lot of us users do.

Oh and yes I fixed the Outlook issue. was a corrupt Extend.DAT file.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Aww ... i see. Not good! Loadsa problems.
People nowadays just want things to work when they plug them in.

I just want something that worked last week to work this week and not pack up again next week after I've spent hours fixing it.

The USB interface for a Forerunner 305 is a disgrace, basically a cradle with four sprung contacts you pop the watch into and hope the fixed contacts make contact with the sprung ones.

Garmins advice:

Clean the contacts with a pencil eraser
Buy a new cradle
Buy a new forerunner

 

[2Loose]

the problem there is that the IT department and senior management of all departments very rarely understand what software we actually NEED , to assist in making our day workable. we all got given camera phones so we have a camera for recording tghings on site- connect it to PC with lead , need to install software. this involves anything from a 2 hour wait or a 2 week wait depending on which greasy geek responds to the polite request to install an approved software item . something that shouild have been rolled out when IT did the last integrated software rollout.

I can't comment on your workplace, but one of the things that 'users' don't understand is that the IT department have to keep all of the company assets safe and also conform to various legal rules and regulations, not just that particular persons.

One of my pet hates is people that think that because they have a non-encrypted USB stick\phone\camera\MP3 player, they should be allowed to just plug it into the entire company network to view\play their photos\music. Despite the fact that it may, just may, contain nasty stuff. Or more frequently, use it to take away personal data that is protected by law and therefore needs protecting\encrypting.

Trust me, we would much rather not bother worrying, but the company bank account being emptied, kids details being bandied around, an employees personal and private details finding themselves in an ex's hands or the newspapers, times when staff are on holiday along with addresses etc. Your data is just as important as the companies. IT staff are generally following best practice and laws to prevent it being misused. Honest. But No, we can't make an exception because you you know your way around Windows (although we would often like to).

 

[2Loose]

PS. If you NEED that software or device, get your boss to have IT work out a safe way for its use to implemented on your network. It may cause problems further along the line than you have thought, if not, your boss (and IT) WILL allow it and may even pay for it.