Looking for an anti-installing application

**Draggar** · May 8th, 2009, 01:47 PM

I'm looking for an application that will raise red flags, send off alarms, and whatever when something is trying to be installed from the internet.

The reason I ask - I'm refurbishing a laptop for someone who isn't savvy at all. When he tries to download AVG - he goes too far - he clicks on ads which can install malicious software, etc.. I want him to be notified that this is happening, when it does.

Suggestions?

**Guts3d** · May 8th, 2009, 03:18 PM

Cheapest and easiest, give him a limited account to use ( If XP or Vista ) and put a password on admin account so he has to install proggies by right clicking and using "Run As"...

**slgrieb** · May 8th, 2009, 06:35 PM

That's difficult. You could install Spybot Search and Destroy, and the immunization fucntion would block many of these sites, but you'd still be playing catchup. There's always stuff linke NetNanny and the like, but I doubt these suggestions would be well received, and again, you have to deal with the administration issue.

Personally, I give my clients a printed guide to Internet security, and charges for removals until they catch on. I provide NO warranty for malware removals (though I waive charges if I think I actually missed something). I suppose the short answer is that "nothing can be made foolproof because the ingenuity of fools is limitless". Basically, I don't know of any solution that doesn't require constant attention.

**Draggar** · May 8th, 2009, 06:49 PM

I still have the laptop - no catchup will be needed (I havne't even shipped it to him).

The admin account may be a good idea, though.

**slgrieb** · May 8th, 2009, 06:56 PM

Guts had a good idea, but XP security is just too easy to over-ride. Anyway, if you send out a machine with a user set up as a limited account, you might as well adopt him. He'll be in your face for every piddly change he wants to make, and some software just won't run correctly in a limited user account.

**Draggar** · May 9th, 2009, 08:25 AM

Yeah, the accounts idea is a great one but I think it might cause more problems. Log off to install something, then log back in? That won't happen with 99% of the users out there.

**Ferrit** · May 9th, 2009, 09:01 AM

Really there isnt any way other then to provide some basic internet information and then to charge to clean it a few times.

**Guts3d** · May 9th, 2009, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by Draggar

Yeah, the accounts idea is a great one but I think it might cause more problems. Log off to install something, then log back in? That won't happen with 99% of the users out there.

You can have them right click on an executable and choose "Run As" and put in the admin account name and password. A bit more work, but that way nothing can load with out the password.