BleepingComputer.com: Causes Of Spyware

my girlfreinds brother has the belief that re-partitioning his hard drive and removing 3 copies of windows off 3 different partitions on his hard drive and merging all the partitions together has caused his computer to become full of spyware.....
he wont believe me, and seems to think that Windows Defender is a hinderance to his computer....
so is AVG.....
so is Spybot....
so is AdAware....
his computer has viruses which they cannot remove...
the virtuamonde virus

he is a heavy user of limewire, bitlord, azreus and loads of other downloaders.....
and thinks these are harmless.....

can anyone please advise me on what to do...

i would like someone in the know to reply to this post and explain how spyware gets into your computer for me please.

This post has been edited by tequila_stealer: 25 June 2007 - 04:32 PM

Hi tequila_stealer, Welcome to BleepingComputer

Below I have listed two of our (BleepingComputer's) tutorials you can read:

• Understanding Spyware, Browser Hijackers, and Dialers
  
• Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet

Also it is a good idea and very important to have AntiVirus, AntiSpyware, and Firewall protection.
Below I have listed some good free software your friend can use.

AntiVirus:

AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic


Firewall:

Comodo Firewall Pro


AntiSpyware:

AVG AntiSpyware
SpywareBlaster
SpywareGuard
Comodo BOClean Anti-Malware

tequila_stealer, on Jun 25 2007, 05:32 PM, said:

This is just a guess, but I'll bet those viruses he has are a hindrance to his computer, too.

Quote

Ah, open up the door and let the nasties in without protection?

Quote

Maybe this Wikipedia article on malware will also help.


Oh, and to board!

This post has been edited by JohnWho: 25 June 2007 - 05:10 PM

If it was just his computer and his problem, that is one thing, but his bad computer habits affects every user. If all users practiced good user habits, the malware problems we face today would disappear.

More than likely, his computer is being used my malware programs to spread his malware infections to others, especially those in his address book and those he shares his downloads with.

It has been estimated that something around 90 percent of all malware has been downloaded by the user, or at least has been allowed through user action. If you check on the SANS top twenty causes of malware, P2P file sharing has always been on the list.
I can only second the words of the other Members who have posted in reply.
Regards,
John

So You are all agreeing with me that re-partitioning his hard drive did not cause any malware.
and i put some measures in place to stop them getting in....

because i am getting the blame for his computer being bleeped.






he also seems to think that a P3 800Mhz with 450Mb of RAM can do anything....
like have about 30 windows open and play music and web cam and download.

you seeing the picture....