[There's a reason that Yoda is the unofficial mascot of SBS. Size indeed matters not.] We're losing the war on the home front - THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF THE SBS DIVA
Tue, Dec 27 2005 17:44 bradley

We're losing the war on the home front

...so we ask around the communities that I hang in and the consensus comes back that while 2005 was a good year for the Admin and business crowd, it was not for the home front.  Just today a client brings in a computer that I needed to post some journal entries to the accounting program and she says "it does some wacko stuff when I go on the Internet" [she's on dial up] and I notice that she's got Xp sp2 waiting down in the system tray to be loaded up.  Knowing that Xp sp2 doesn't like malware on the box 'before' installing it, I attach it to an external access to our dsl and plug in the RJ 45. 

The second it has a tcp/ip connection and I launch IE is when the fun starts.  I first install the MVP hosts file to get it to a state where I can even work with the system as IE freezes up too much without that.  Then I boot into safe mode and use Counterspy, Microsoft Antispyware, Windows Safety live and Trend's Housecall, and each one finds a new little critter that the other one didn't find.

I boot into normal mode and now the popups have stopped and the machine appears ready enough for the Xp sp2 application.... I also notice on this box that had the firm's accounting application on it was AOL's IM program that was pretty obviously used by a teenager and it reminds me of the cardinal rule of mixing "business with pleasure"

Buy a computer for your teenager and have them screw that machine up.

In the home office security checklist...it makes this clear but doesn't stress this enough...

"Don't let children use your business computer without your supervision. Ideally, you should not allow your children to use your home office computer. If your computer needs to serve both your business and family, be sure to supervise your children whenever they use it."

I would say don't let them use it period...buy a new computer....don't let them near the one you use for business or the office.

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# re: We're losing the war on the home front

Tuesday, December 27, 2005 9:24 PM by John

I feel your right we losing the war!

I have business clients who still don't understand those pretty screen savers have an additional payload.

I also want to thank you! I learn about additional tools to use. I wasn't aware of the hosts file. Wonderful Idea.

This makes me wonder how many other uses have a certain links they use in there every day work?

Maybe we could post or favorite links we use.

Someone might learn about a valuable tool to use.

Then maybe we can get closer to winning the war?

My thoughts?

John

# re: We're losing the war on the home front

Wednesday, December 28, 2005 2:25 PM by David (AKA The Lazy Slug)

I couldn't agree more.

Since moving to SBS 2003 from standard Windows Server 2000 (missed that there was a SBS 2000, and almost missed SBS 2003 - Should be a big note on the Microsoft website when you look at Server software saying 'Less than 75 Clients - Click HERE' to be taken to SBS) I have now got to the stage that I haven't had to log into the server for 2 months, bar for the monthly updates.

All of my collegues are delighted with OWA, OMA, RWW and now love their WM5 iMate SP5s that we're starting to use.

The downside is that with all of these wonderful new 'toys', they're are using me now as their extended family computer guru. ("WOW, my other office doesn't have this") Only today I have had to visit an Aunt of one of my collegues to sort out her PC.

As you've pointed out with your recent Dell PC/MCAfree comment, I have found that flattening a new PC and installing the OS to MY specs makes life alot easier.

Whilst RIS isn't massively used by the SBS community, I find standard CD based on the same unattended installation method is extremly useful. (I will point out though, that I had a Dell drive die on me today. Got a new disc and using RIS with Active directory installation, I had the PC up and running with all apps and existing user setting installed within 30 minutes. It is also very handy if your office burns down/floods and you have to use new PCs with different hardware - Just add drivers!)

All the addition rubbish on PCs delivered to the home is half the problem, the rest is the users.

Bottom Line - SBS is making us look SO good that everyone wants us to look after their PCs (This is obviously helped by the fantastic MVPs in the SBS community - Thanks and Happy New Year)

My New Years Resolution ? - Yes, I will help with your PC, BUT I will install Windows MY way and then you can try and break it afterwards. At least I'll have an idea of the original configuration.