Solved I just got that call...

[HAVOC]

Don't know but I had a talk with him and he will be the only user (maybe his wife), so hopefully this doesn't happen again. He gave me a laptop that they have been using but rarely because it also is loaded with garbage. I'm going to do a factory restore (if I can) and he'll let his kids use the laptop.

 

[whs]

Pauly is right. Teamviewer is the easiest option for remote access. And change ALL passwords - even if they are used on another system..

 

[HAVOC]

I've been looking at a book about Windows 7 and different kinds of users. Can I set up his computer during install to have an administrator account that I only know the password to and him and his wife will be standard users? Will I be able to log into his computer using team viewer if he is a standard user?

 

[RolandJS]

I think you can; a friend of mine was able to use LogMeIn on my earlier desktop. Never used Teamviewer yet. However, I'm still concerned that both nonBusiness and Business is being conducted on same computer.

 

[Porthos]

I've been looking at a book about Windows 7 and different kinds of users. Can I set up his computer during install to have an administrator account that I only know the password to and him and his wife will be standard users? Will I be able to log into his computer using team viewer if he is a standard user?

Be ready for CONSTANT calls for the admin password.

 

[HAVOC]

When I did a reinstall I wanted the user name to be Administrator, but it was already taken. I thought whomever installs Windows is the admin. I wanted to add standard users later. I guess I'll have to use my name instead?

 

[HAVOC]

I went over his house last night and tried to do some malware cleaning. I kept getting fake virus pop-ups. I'll be wiping the system this weekend after he saves any needed files.

 

[Borg 386]

Sometimes a clean install is the best thing. Keeping it clean, that's another story.....LOL

 

[HAVOC]

Oh crap. He was doing something on his computer and a message popped up saying there was something wrong or a file couldn't be found. What does he do? That's right, calls the number and has the person take over his computer. "But he said he was affiliated with Microsoft" he tells me.

This thing is getting a clean install tomorrow afternoon, backups made or not. I was over there tonight and believe I saved all the important stuff.

Now, before I do a clean install, is there a way to scan the external HDD so i know it's clean before plugging it back into his fresh install?

The first time they wanted $300, now it's $30.

 

[whs]

Hmm, if someone does not know anything, that's bad. But if that person cannot learn, that's worse.

Sure, you can scan the external with any scanner - Mbam, SAS, BitDefender scanner, etc. You just have to make the proper scanner setup. Here is the Mbam example:

 

[PSCO2007]

You can scan all you want, but your cousin is now on their sucker list and the problems will continue.

What do you think it will take him to learn?

 

[whs]

I would install a Linux distro for him. That's a lot safer and the bad guys have no handle on him.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

You can lead a horse to water...

 

[HAVOC]

Hmm, if someone does not know anything, that's bad. But if that person cannot learn, that's worse.

Sure, you can scan the external with any scanner - Mbam, SAS, BitDefender scanner, etc. You just have to make the proper scanner setup. Here is the Mbam example:

I've been having trouble with Malwarebytes, it keeps "not responding" when I try to do a scan. Maybe related to whomever took control of the computer. Maybe a reinstall of Mbam will fix this issue.

You can scan all you want, but your cousin is now on their sucker list and the problems will continue.

What do you think it will take him to learn?

While I'm doing a clean install I'll try and explain it to him again that it was fake and they are just thieves. There will be only two users on the computer, him and his wife. The kids won't be using it (or so I'm told).

I would install a Linux distro for him. That's a lot safer and the bad guys have no handle on him.

He has trouble using Windows. Linux will really complicate things and there are some programs he uses and I don't think there are Linux versions available.

 

[HAVOC]

The system from hell...

Tried reinstalling Windows, it would get stuck at the EULA screen, you couldn't click anything. Took the computer to my house. Burned the ISO again and this time it works. Tried DBAN and I kept getting an error. Finally got Windows to install and it hung before getting to the desktop. Removed the video card and used the built in VGA. Reinstalled Windows and then I installed the video card and drivers. Installing updates now and I'm going to make a system image and a repair disk.

What a headache!

 

[HAVOC]

Update:
Got the computer back to his house and working, sort of. The mouse was acting up where it wouldn't click on anything and sometimes it would (I had to run home and get my mouse/keyboard so i could install his printer and other software). He'll be buying a new mouse/keyboard.