[Resolved] Redirected searches, unexpected shutdowns, and Internet locked

[Bear]

Hi Eddie

Your file is OK.  Both Jotti and VT see no problem with it.  Go ahead and deal with the System Restore issue.  We want to get rid of old system restore files as they may contain elements of malware that we have removed.

[E310]

Bear ... thank for all of your help in getting this young lady's computer back on track!

Going back to post #86, I followed it as best I could. (Step 6.  Go to Start/Windows Update ... doesn't exist ... but I did it thorugh the control panel.) Hopefully this means I can return this machine to its rightful owner???

But before I do, I would like to ask one last thing ... how do I set this up so that she and her family CANNOT install any hardware without a password? I'm thinking locking it down like that would help prevent anything from installing itself?

Also, on my PCs (running XP) I have Spyware Guard and WinPatrol, which actively remind me of any attempted changes to the registry or alert me of something being added to startup. Can I do something like that for Vista?

Eddie

[Bear]

Hi Eddie

There are a number of ways to set policies in Vista.  Try this one:

o   Click on Windows Vista Start, and in the search area type in “secpol.msc” and click Enter. (You may receive a prompt from UAC,(User Account Control) approve/login and proceed).
o   In the left list, choose “Local Policies“ and then “Security Options“.
o   Set “Accounts: Administrator account status” to Enabled.
o   Set “User Account Control: Admin Approval Mode for the Built-in Administrator account” to Disabled.
o   Set  "User Account Control: Detect application installations and prompt for elevation" to Enabled.

Have your niece set up and administrator account with a password (control panel, Users).  That should do it.

(You can also go to Start/Run and type in gpedit.msc and do it from there.)

WinPatrol will run on Vista, I have it installed on W7 64 bit.  Spyware Guard will not but Super AntiSpyware will also run on Vista.

[Bear]

This post is to keep the topic open.  Have been in PM contact.

[E310]

Hello Bear ... hope all is well.

This PC is running smoothly. Works like a dream.

THANK YOU (and all the SH staff) for keeping this going and being available to bail us out of our messes!

Eddie
... who is still working Ashley and family to express their gratitutde with a small donation ...