[SGVLUG] Need help with clearing popups from windows system

[Emerson, Tom]

> -----Original Message----- Of Michael Proctor-Smith
> On 9/5/06, Matthew Gallizzi <matthew.gallizzi at gmail.com> wrote:
> > To be honest, I'd just reformat and reinstall. In the past I find
> > myself trying to learn what the heck is going on ... 
> > Anywho, that's my two cents.
> 
> My two cents are why in the hell are we talking about this on
> a Lug mailing list.

As with most threads, this has diverged a bit from the initial problem,
however in this specific case one "very good reason" is because in
general, "we" [linux enthusiasts] tend to take the stance of "you should
run linux and you wouldn't have that problem"  Of course, that's
presuming the recipient of such advice is even in a position to consider
it.  In this case, the answer is "no", so now I am taking the next best
approach, which is to draw on the collective memories and experiences of
this group to solve the problem.

The answers given so far have been good ones, and in fact I ran across a
website last updated (roughly) 2003 that mentions "hijack this" as a
very good (but difficult to understand) program, which is apparently
still true today.

It's also interesting to note, as fallout from this thread, how
Microsoft's OS is "picking up" typical "unix-ism's" -- ACL's, the
concept of a "user other than root", "home" directories, and so on -- in
short, all the things that help "unix" systems resist viruses.
(resisting trojans, however, always requires user education, and can
strike against a unix system just as easily as a non-unix system)

Died in the wool MS fans will be quick to point out that "windows does
that now...", so we (should) be prepared to provide rebuttal without
resorting to FUD (how can you be /sure/ it's secure?) or outright
insubstantiated claims (yes, it's nearly like unix, but still has holes
the size of a mack truck)  [after all, that's just lowering ourselves to
the enemy's level...]