[plug] [OT] Sony malware on Windows

[Arie Hol]

On 18 Nov 2005 at 16:37, Chris Caston wrote:

8<----------------- snip ----------------->8

> Shame it appears you will need to buy longhorn if you want to keep 
using
> it when it becomes "Windows defender"
> 
> Also for cleaning up all the crap that MS Anti-spyware, S&D and Adaware
> miss I recommend a-sqaured hijack free:

Your mention of Adaware - brought to mind a recent problem I came across 
on a Windows PC.

Problem :
User downloaded and tried to update to the latest free version of 
Zonealarm - installer raised errors relating to 'invalid root 
certificate'  and 'missing root certificate' then subsequently failed. 
leaving the system with no firewall to protect it.

Cause :
User had run Adaware and 'removed' all items found by the Adaware scan.
Apparently Adaware had found the 'root certicate' for Zonealarm and 
considered it as a 'minor threat' - the user would not 'accept' even a 
minor threat and told Adaware to 'clean' all items found - subsequently 
'breaking' Zonealarm at next system boot ( no long wait here ??).

Solution :
1 - Consult Zonealarm user forums - search hundreds of posts covering the 
problem - try many 'possible' solutions until you find the right one - 
finally install version 6.0 or later of Internet Explorer in order to get 
the 'root certificate' problem fixed.

2 - Get Adaware to back off on the 'minor threats'. (not good ??)

Outcome :
Even if you do not want/need/use IE you need to have it installed to 
ensure that your Zonealarm fiewall will update/run/survive to protect 
your PC.

Moral :
What next from Microsoft ?????




Regards Arie
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