[Kenny94]

Any other Ideals on how we can recruit malware fighters? Anyone?

[Support4U]

Hi Cookiegal,

True, "There can be a multitude of possible causes " as u say

Originally Posted by Cookiegal

There can be a multitude of possible causes, such as an outdated BIOS, malware, conflicts with drivers and other factors of your system or compatibility issues so to draw the conclusion that one of these programs causes these problems is too much of a generalization. If that were the case, it would happen on every machine and the software would have to be revamped or retired.

Nice term "generalization" I wasn’t able to recollect this term to explain it better.."to draw the conclusion that one of these programs causes these problems is too much of a generalization"...being a tech one has to consider all generalized possibilities too and cannot just rule out or ignore these possibilities

As far as "If that were the case, it would happen on every machine and the software would have to be revamped or retired" I never mentioned it happens on every machine / these issues get triggered on its own, however I just wanted to convey that due to conflicts or as u say "There can be a multitude of possible causes " this may happen.. and cannot be completely ignored/ruled out

[JohnWill]

Originally Posted by PCcruncher

One thing I think is nice was at Castle cops, they had first responders, who would pre-screen the logs, and maybe offer some advise before the actual helper got there.

That could be a good suggestion, maybe one that Mike might consider.

[Cookiegal]

I'm fine with that but just don't want to go condemning specific programs and telling everyone to unstall them as they cause problems.

[Support4U]

Hi Cookiegal,

Originally Posted by Cookiegal

I'm fine with that but just don't want to go condemning specific programs and telling everyone to unstall them as they cause problems.

when i ask to uninstall the software dsnt mean that it shouldn't be reinstalled. Unistalling will just help identify if that perticular software is the cause of a problem on that perticular system and many a times reinstallation is a resolution too.

[iltos]

Originally Posted by JohnWill

That could be a good suggestion, maybe one that Mike might consider.

a sort of triage, like in emergency rooms?
hmmm....it is a good idea.

[Cookiegal]

Originally Posted by Support4U

Hi Cookiegal,



when i ask to uninstall the software dsnt mean that it shouldn't be reinstalled. Unistalling will just help identify if that perticular software is the cause of a problem on that perticular system and many a times reinstallation is a resolution too.

Yes, that makes sense.

[Support4U]

if i may suggest about "how we can recruit malware fighters" is it possible for u to email an invitation to all members, i believe we may get a few more helping hands.what say

[jmw3]

Originally Posted by Support4U

[color=Blue]Hi Jmw3,

I understand you are trying to argue / challenge my experience / expertise. And I am here to help Grtatn to try something that may solve his issue and not argue with anyone.

Don't get me wrong... was not trying to argue or challenge your experience at all. I was only stating what I know about these programs & my experiences with them. ATF-Cleaner for instance would not be used as extensively as it is among the Anti-Malware Community if it was known to cause problems.

Originally Posted by Jason08

Sounds like a good sugestion, but I'm sure it does take a lot of time and effort.

Yes... & I think this is the biggest problem. I think a lot of people sign up thinking that the training is only going to take a day or two & then they're ready.

Originally Posted by JohnWill

That could be a good suggestion, maybe one that Mike might consider.

Agreed. However CastleCops criteria for help was quite strict. No P2P (which has been raised before elsewhere), AV must be installed, up to date Windows, No Cracks etc.

There's obviously a lot of IT professionals here. Is there any way some sort of exemption could be given to them?
I know there may be problems with this - such as proving credentials etc.
Another may be getting access to the various resources as most of the time you have to have qualified at an established Boot-Camp in order to have access to the others. It's Catch22 really.

[1002richards]

Hi,
Once a procedure for advice for those joining with HJT/Malaware issues is agreed, how about making it the Number 1 item on the Welcome page? http://www.techguy.org/welcome.html
To include (perhaps) "please be patient", "if you've expertise please contact (appropriate link)" and basic containment advice? etc.?

Richard

[eddie5659]

Just popping in, as I'm usually away most weekends, so I spend nearly 6 hours on Monday playing catchup

Yep, suggestions are a good idea. As to the actual amount we have in there, yes tehre is a lot.

Thing is, once you start to work on one, depending on how deep the infection is, it can range from a few days to a few weeks. On total, if I cast my mind back to the folder I have at home, I'm working on 20 threads at the moment.

I, and this is after I check any reported threads, tend to go back a week, and try and clear the backlog up. Replying to say, 20 all in one go, may not sound a lot.

But, when those people get the email that they have a reply, it can either be 'its already solved, thanks' to 'yes, I still have this problem'. If its the latter, then if its 10 of the 20, then that adds to my list, and they get worked on as soon as possible

Plus, its a never-ending learning section of computers, believe me. Researching things can take a while, especially if its a new infection.

I've seen a few, and its taken a while to solve, which means I can't work on as many new ones till that's solved

eddie

[JohnWill]

Originally Posted by jmw3

Agreed. However CastleCops criteria for help was quite strict. No P2P (which has been raised before elsewhere), AV must be installed, up to date Windows, No Cracks etc.

If you take note, we have basically the same restrictions. We don't allow P2P or cracks, don't know if we insist that AV is installed, but it's certainly foolish to run without it.

There's obviously a lot of IT professionals here. Is there any way some sort of exemption could be given to them?
I know there may be problems with this - such as proving credentials etc.
Another may be getting access to the various resources as most of the time you have to have qualified at an established Boot-Camp in order to have access to the others. It's Catch22 really.

I'm not sure how an exemption would work, since as you say, certification that they actually are competent to handle the malware issues and access to some resources is the issue.

[TechGuy]

What do you guys think about the idea of having first responders? I'm not HJT expert, but maybe that would help people to move in the right direction before an expert can help? We'd have to set up some guidelines as to what a first responder can and cannot do, how things should be handled, who can apply for the position, etc... but that's all assuming the experts agree it would be more helpful than harmful.

[PCcruncher]

Maybe Cookiegal could get with some of the former Castlecop people to see how it worked and if they have any suggestions. (maybe she already knows)

Just my 2 cents

[jmw3]

I like the idea. Will definitely make it easier on the helpers when it comes time to clean.

Bugbatter would probably be a good person to contact regarding info on setting this up as she was pretty high up at CC & pretty sure is a member here as well.

A lot of the ex CC people are now at SpywareHammer, so that also may be a good place to start for getting some info.