Viral Fun (the bad kind)
PSA: Do not click on links in Facebook, email, websites, etc. unless you are 100% sure you can trust it. And then don't do it anyways. Get paranoid!
I have contemplated building a couple of cheap PC's with Windows for Dylan and myself when the funds are available. (Yes, holding breath is not in the plan.) However, I have had 2 people I know have their computers rendered unsafe due to virii -- and maybe a third -- I haven't put my hands on that one yet. One of these was Rita Theis. I configured her computer. I installed the OS. I put antivirus and malware checkers on her system. I gave her instruction in its use. Yet, she STILL got infected just doing the day to day email, Facebook, picture sharing. I am 100% certain she got it from Facebook. I am 100% certain I still failed to educate her against the dangers that are out there. Sorry, Momma Rita. I'll try to do better. Koobface, Alureon, etc. Avast! managed to identify two of the eight total variants. Microsoft Essentials found all eight (for now). We are now running TWO antivirus utilities for now because both "saw" different things. I manually removed one. In 2010, this is unacceptable. Driving home yesterday, I just felt sick thinking about putting a Windows-based PC on my son's desk. Maybe I need the damned things in my house just so I can feel more confident in supporting the Windows friends and family that I have. But, if you do what you are supposed to do, and keep things as safe as possible, and use it in a limited way AND still get infected... buy a Mac? I dunno, seems glib in this context.
