[vox] [OT] WinXP applications spamming me

[Dmitriy]

Bill Kendrick wrote:
> So I just turned my laptop on at work and booted into Windows XP.
> The first thing I get is that Adobe Reader Download Manager "needs my
> attention."  Okay, yeah, it was trying to install some kind of update
> yesterday, and I told it "Remind me later."  That's fine.
> 
> Then McAfee pops up warning me about some new Windows virus.  High threat.
> It can cause my computer to reboot continuously.  Simply "going online"
> can get me infected.  I don't have their virus scanner installed, but
> have their firewall or something.  To me, this warning is three things:
> 
> (1) Useless.  "Going online."  Oops, too late.  I'm online.  Am I infected?
>     How can I tell?  Does it matter if I run any particular apps?
>     (IE? Outlook?  I run Mozilla Navigator and Mozilla Mail.)
>     What about firewalls?  We have one on the LAN, and I have one on my
>     laptop itself.
> 
> (2) Scary.  See most of above.  I bet grandmas everywhere are fainting.
> 
> (3) Spamy.  So, how can I tell if I'm infected?  O-o-ohh... riiiight.
>     "30 day free trial."

You installed crappy software that tries to get more money from you.

FIX: Dont install crappy software.

> 
[snip]
> File this under:  "Reasons I like Linux."

I dont see why McAffee couldnt do this under linux if they so wished.