My Mom's PC has been turned into a botnet drone

By PNWDweller
in Smart Home, Network & Security

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Grand Master

redvamp128

Posted
Posted

Quick fix- notify everyone on her email list that her mail has been compromised-in that notify email just tell everyone the domain name of your moms new account and do not use the actual email- set her up a different email account at like gmail or yahoo. Then close the old one- If the same thing happens with the new email then you should notify your ISP (internet provider).

I would suggest also adding spybot search and destroy and use the tea timer (it adds an extra nag when things goto install or make changes to her system) not to mention also use the immunize function.

Grand Master

markwolfe Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted
...

Liev - are you seriously thinking that within a week, that Windows is going to be compromised again, just because it is Windows? That sounds more like a Linux evangelism statement more than anything.

...

Not sure why *he* is saying it, but I can say that the problem is crappy administration.

Whether it is letting a click-crazy user have admin rights, or whatever, you have a problem. Repeatedly, since this isn't the first time. It won't be the last, as long as she has the rights to install programs and is using Windows.

That's an "and" situation. If she can install apps, she will click the "scan your PC for malware" links, and get infected again. IF she is also running Windows.

I am glad you say you have tried Linux Mint and such. You surely know it is capable of letting her update her farm on Famrville while she is keeping tabs on the family through facebook. She can send and receive pictures and see the new baby cousin. And she can do this without getting turned into a bot. Again.

It's either that, or lock the puppy down, and have to answer the phone when she wants to install a new app. But don't give her the password, or you are back to cleaning out her PC again.

Sounds like fun.

Grand Master

goretsky Supervisor

Posted
  • Supervisor
Posted

Hello,

Does the CPU support DEP? If so, is it enabled? Doing so may mitigate some attacks (e.g., machine crashes instead of attack being successful). Updating to a 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows 7 will reduce the attack surface, too.

Have you considered installing an alternative web browser and/or disabling scripting?

If your mother has been logging in as a member of the Administrators group, have you considered changing her account to being a member of Standard Users group?

It is possible all of your mother's online credentials (usernames + passwords) have been harvested, including things like bank, credit card and ecommerce (Amazon, eBay, PayPal, etc.) logins. It would be a good idea to change the passwords for all sites she accesses that require them, using strong passwords not based on ones she has previously used and not containing easily guessable phrases. Notification of financial institutions and credit reporting agencies would be a good idea as well.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

Grand Master

Panacik

Posted
Posted

May I disagree. His mom isn't a tech user. He may fix the problem for now , but using Windows will bring new issues each week on someone that probably can't manage a secure Windows PC. Next thing you know, she will be blocked from the Internet by Microsof's Quarantine program .

For securing this PC he needs to install and maintain a router with firewall well configured which it's firmware is updated at least on monthly basis, a software firewall, 2 anti-virus applications, one with real-time protection and one run-on-demand, 2 maleware removal applications... regularly updating installed applications.....

Replace all this with a linux PC and you have 0 maintanace and not a drop in usability.

hahaha. This was a joke post right? 2 av!? Possibly configured the way you suggest, ok. 2 anti spyware progs? Running real time... Urn no.

Ms will block them? Since when\how?

Xp sp2 upward has a built in firewall which would be fine for a basic user, plus many providers supply routers with built in firewalls.

Since she is not a tech user, moving her to Linux would likely confuse the he'll out of her. Even a friendly distro such as Ubuntu. Questions such as, "where is the start button?", and, "where is ms word\Internet explorer?", wouldcome up time and time again.

I wonder how you came to this conclusion and got all this info from? :s

Grand Master

+Warwagon MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted
and even though, it would run Vista probably OK, I didn't see any reason to do so at this time for her. Windows 7 is out of the question for her as she doesn't want to put any more $$$

So you were going to put Vista on their for free but make her pay for 7?

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