Just a thread to post my appreciation for all the tech info I get from frequenting the forums here at WC. Doc, Yrag, the rest of you computer security guys -- I appreciate all that you do to keep us informed.
Because I visit here regularly, I know how to keep my computer up-to-date and secure. I THOUGHT the rest of my family did, too; the guys do (spouse and son), but my daughter, who USED to be pretty tech oriented, has been going through some tough years and been on some medication that makes it hard to stay sharp--long story short, she's running XP on her laptop, and was running without any security, and ended up with the rogue, "XP Antivirus 2012" malware. What a nightmare! Popups everywhere, continuing offers to "fix" these vulnarabilities if I BUY their stupid antivirus no way to turn out Microsoft Windows updates, total hijacking of every browser, blocking of all easy correction methods (couldn't install MalwareBytes, couldn't even open notepad!) and worst of all...the screaming monkey sound coming from the laptop.
Because of the news I get here, I knew exactly what I was dealing with, knew where to find the answers (Microsoft and Bleeping Computer); it took me 8 hours but I killed that freakin' monkey, installed everything she needs to clean up the mess that was her link to the cyber-world, updated everything, and as soon as I'm in a position to, I'm going to buy that Windows 7 Family edition to get the rest of my loved ones up-to-date on their operating system.
She kept telling me "never mind, Mom--I'll just take it to Arthur," "Never mind, Mom--I'll just reformat," but I KNEW I could slay the screaming monkey! And I did! Victory is mine!