First usage of fresh Windows XP

[lian1238]

I was using my fresh installation of Windows XP and I got connected to the internet to download The Gimp (Photoshop seems so alien to me now!) and Firefox (Internet Explorer just plain sucks). The next thing I knew was, Micro AV 2009 installed on my computer, along with gay porn and other porn ads. I can't believe it. Even with Windows Firewall on, it still managed to let those malware and spyware into my system!

My FRESH install of XP has become an infestation. A breeding ground for viruses, trojan horses and spyware. Poor gimp and firefox - imprisoned in the deepest, darkest hole surrounded by butt-naked icons portraying homosexual sex - tortured behind a curtain they call "Windows Firewall". Yeah right. Fire..Wall. More like a feather. Or even more vulnerable than a feather. A feather of an unborn sparrow, more like. Now I know why they call it "Windows", and not "Doors" or "Vaults".

[Vince4Amy]

Well I don't know what you've been on but I've had an XP Box I've used for years without any AV or anything with no problems at all. Was it fully updated?

[lian1238]

Well I don't know what you've been on but I've had an XP Box I've used for years without any AV or anything with no problems at all. Was it fully updated?

No it wasn't fully updated. I got infected right as I connect to the internet.

[cardinals_fan]

I think you're either:

a) using a very insecure network connection

or

b) visiting obviously dangerous sites

Also, are you running as admin? That's a bad idea.

[oldsoundguy]

I will not let a Windows computer leave my place after a repair and cleanup without a VALID and working Anti Virus, a firewall, Spybot Search and Destroy (set to immunize), Spyware Guard and Spyware Blaster (again set to immunize), and SUPERAntiSpyware (activated) plus a valid pop up blocker. And. I will load the scanning programs of Glary Utilities and A-Squared Free.
I will also encourage, at least, the usage of FireFox and Thunderbird with protective plug ins VS IE and LOOKOUT Express!

[lian1238]

I think you're either:

a) using a very insecure network connection

or

b) visiting obviously dangerous sites

Also, are you running as admin? That's a bad idea.

I'm using my own secure, home wifi hotspot. And nope, I didn't visit any sites other than, google, gimp.org and mozilla. I'm using the default user that was created. I think it is an admin account. But I want my rights as an admin. :(

[lian1238]

I will not let a Windows computer leave my place after a repair and cleanup without a VALID and working Anti Virus, a firewall, Spybot Search and Destroy (set to immunize), Spyware Guard and Spyware Blaster (again set to immunize), and SUPERAntiSpyware (activated) plus a valid pop up blocker. And. I will load the scanning programs of Glary Utilities and A-Squared Free.
I will also encourage, at least, the usage of FireFox and Thunderbird with protective plug ins VS IE and LOOKOUT Express!

Wow, sounds like a lot of work. So, I need to use non-free anti-virus to really protect my Windows?

[cardinals_fan]

But I want my rights as an admin. :(
Why?

Anyway, I've used Windows for years with no anti-*, and had no issues whatsoever. A logical permissions policy, safe browser, NoScript, and common sense were all I needed to stay safe.

I don't recommend any form of antivirus, ever.

[sub2007]

Wow, sounds like a lot of work. So, I need to use non-free anti-virus to really protect my Windows?

No. AntiVir or avast!, along with all security updates, safe surfing practices and a decent firewall like Comodo is all you need. When I was on Windows I used to keep around Ad-Aware and do weekly scans with it and I also used WinPatrol but that was partly to block programs adding annoying startups that I don't want. I never got infected in around 4 years.

Getting Windows Updates are vitally important though, especially if it's a pre-SP2 installation (as some new Windows installations will be).

[oldsoundguy]

for those with their head in the sand, you can now get malware by clicking on a link or even a .jpg .. even a supposedly good link.

Lady friend got that same problem as mentioned above by visiting an on line site for Golden Retrievers. (and at her age, I KNOW she was not visiting some nefarious site.)

For the average user, going on line with an unprotected Windows computer is akin to playing Russian Roulette with 5 in the chambers. Studies have shown that even with just casual surfing, you, most likely, will get some form of infection before 20 minutes has passed. And if you go to peer to peer places, chances are worse.
Even YouTube is having malware issues (do a Google search!)

(Vista IS more secure .. but not by much)

[Vince4Amy]

No it wasn't fully updated. I got infected right as I connect to the internet.

Not even with any slipstreamed Service Pack, if not then how do you expect an Operating System made in 2001 to be secure. And the first thing you should have done was WU, instead of downloading FX, The GIMP etc.

[oldsoundguy]

No, you do not need a paid and bloated anti-virus program .. several out there for Windows including Avast, & AVG .. again USING GOOGLE, check their ratings as to effectiveness. (word of mouth is nice, but always check and verify.) Clam-Win makes an excellent (albeit SLOW) resident scanner, but does not work in real time (yet).

But IF you are going to run Windows as intended (not like the church lady and only go to "approved" sites and never "surf") you WILL need protection to some degree.

The baddies are those new scareware types and ad-bots and spy-bots (trojans, keyloggers). Most time is spent removing that garbage. I seldom see a REAL virus anymore .. not saying that they are not a threat anymore.

[lian1238]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm looking into VirtualBox which I intend to install XP on, using Ubuntu as host. I hate dual-booting. If VirtualBox works well, I will use my current XP partition for it. As always, my harddisk is not abundant with free space.

[Vince4Amy]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm looking into VirtualBox which I intend to install XP on, using Ubuntu as host. I hate dual-booting. If VirtualBox works well, I will use my current XP partition for it. As always, my harddisk is not abundant with free space.

That should be a good option so long as you don't need to do any video intensive stuff which requires a lot of GPU Horsepower so to speak. Remember to update with the latest service packs before doing anything else and it will be fine.

[cardinals_fan]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm looking into VirtualBox which I intend to install XP on, using Ubuntu as host. I hate dual-booting. If VirtualBox works well, I will use my current XP partition for it. As always, my harddisk is not abundant with free space.
VMWare > VirtualBox

Just use Firefox or Opera with NoScript (or an equivalent). Also run a limited account (SuDown and SuRun might be useful).

[smoker]

when i used windows myself (years ago!), i used to use this before connecting to the web:
http://www.sandboxie.com/

i believe it is still free for personal use, though i can't say how good or bad it is currently.

[lian1238]

Now that I've tried VirtualBox, I must say it's great! I've instaled Windows XP on it. I'm still trying to share a folder with the host, though. But I like that seamless mode. Here's a screenshot.

[kaldor]

I hate Windows. All of them. But I never find any problems in terms of viruses/ when I use them.

We got a brand new PC with Windows 98 on it way back in 1999. It is still set up now, mainly as a machine for typing/printing. It did not crash once, and it only had one virus on it over these years.

Programs: Norton Antivirus
Spybot Search and Destroy
Internet Explorer ( =0! )
Outlook Express ( =0!! )


Somehow we managed to never get screwed up. I do not understand how people keep getting viruses..

Like I said, I hate Windows; but it works if you use it right.