Hacker/virus
 

Hacker/virus invaded our 'puter.
Messages going out in our name for $$.
DO NOT reply and do not send $$.
We are fine and got in a nice tandem toot/brunch this morning!
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Same happened to a friend of ours a week ago. His Facebook account sent out a request for donations to all of his contacts.

Have a look around Distrowatch.com.
Linux is full featured mature software that runs faster and cleaner than Windows and is completely untroubled by viruses.
I run Fedora but that is a fast changing distribution for intermediate to advanced users.
For newbies I recommend Ubuntu, Linux Mint or PCLinuxOS.

Unless you are one of those old dogs for whom new tricks are impossible you can run Linux and thumb your nose at Bill Gates and his "upgrades".

Get a Mac.

+1

Most of these are available as "Live CD" versions.
That is, you can boot from the CD, and try the Operating system and accompanying software without altering anything on your computer. It will run slow of course, until you install it, but it lets you dabble without risk.

There's even a version you can install as if it is a Windows program. In that case, you are still subject to windows maladies, but it lets you try it at full speed, and you still have your Windows available.

If you happen to have an old machine tucked away that was just too slow but still works, you may want to give one of the friendly distros like Ubuntu a try on it. Just don't be too shocked if if the old slow box seems more responsive than your current.

ZT, if you do need some funds, I got an email from a very nice seeming fellow in Africa that begins like this:
Hello,
Good day to you, I want to introduce myself to you.I am Mr Stephen Hakeem,the Manager of Auditing and Accounting Section of The United Bank for Africa (U. B. A) Ouagadougou Burkina Faso.

He could probably help you out.

Something got into my machine last week. Windows wouldn't boot up. The computer guy was unable to rectify the situation and finally he just wiped the hard drive clean and we started all over.

My machine hasn't run this well in years!! Thanks virus/malware dude!!

Generally, this is a good thing to do with Windows periodically. That is, wipe and re-install. Keep your data files separate, keep all install media for after-market software, or license codes, then every couple years, wipe and start fresh. Windows 7 may be better in this regard, don't know. In the case of a lot of infections, a complete wipe and re-install is the only way to be sure it's gone.

No wiping a windows machine to start over without any thought is not a good idea. First verify that you have all of the installation CDs/Keys as was mentioned. Then however go into Control Panel/Add Remove programs and start uninstalling your software. A lot of current software Microsoft, Symantec, Mcafee, and Adobe, have a record of how many times you have installed, exceed the magic license number and you need to get a new license. Uninstall first and the number is restored in their sites database. And as always, "Remember that free advice is worth exactly what you pay for it, mine included."

Wouldn't it be easier to just give Bill another $200?

I know it's popular to ping on Bill Gates, but...

ANY operating system can be hacked. Yes, most viruses (virii) are written for Windows. That's not an indication that it's more vulnerable; it's an indication that more virus writers are targeting it. Virus writing these days is all about money; so to make their efforts pay off best, they go after the biggest market. But the other operating systems are still (somewhat smaller) targets, too. I've lost count of how many root kits I've had to remove from PCs (root kits were first developed for Linux.)

The charge of Windows being a resource hog is fair, though...

Close, the first rootkit was written for Unix, which has been around longer than Windows.

While there is truth in the statement that any system can be hacked, and Windows is more popular as a target because it is a bigger target, the main problem has been that the system is more open to "automated" attacks. The infamous "script kiddie" some pathetic loser whose life is so pathetic he has to cause trouble by using tools written by others. A fairly massive weak spot is Microsoft's attempt to maintain backwards compatibility, this has led to flaws coming back many times when they thought they had sorted the problem. You could make an argument that tying the browser to the operating system at such a deep level, as they did with Internet Explorer, was the single biggest security gaff ever. A computer running Linux can usually be hacked, but for the most part, it is necessary to target the actual box in question, and find out what openings have been left unpatched. Some systems are harder than others, OpenBSD for example, or one hardened by the application of SELinux mods ( Stands for Security Enhanced, originally written by the NSA )

My analogy is that running Linux is like locking your car. Yes, a determined thief can steal it, but why would he bother? Most of the other cars in the car park are unlocked, some with the doors open, some even running with the keys in!

I used to say that I would never do online banking on a Windows box, now I am more paranoid, I'll only do it while booting from a live CD or USB key.

Having a live USB key is great. When I have to travel I can take my OS, the programs I normally use and my data files all on a device that fits on a key chain.
I can borrow a computer, boot up my own OS, then leave no traces behind.

@BlazingPedals I was being a tad snarky since I so often hear convenience and simplicity cited as reasons for using Windows.
It doesn't get much easier than forking over more money. It's almost as if they planned it that way. :rolleyes:
Do you not find it odd that you buy an OS then have to buy additional software to be able to use it in a somewhat secure manner? I do.