Some questions about my participation

When I started posting on this site, I kinda just jumped in without question and started answering peoples questions to the best of my knowledge. Now, I have a few questions and didn't see anything in the forums to answer them:

First off, I believe the preferred way of helping people is to answer the older questions first and work my way to the newest ones. However, this site does not have the "solved" status (I'm sure you have your reasons). How do I know which question is the oldest.

Secondly, a couple of days ago, I wanted to jump into the malware removal section and help people there. I quickly realised I don't have the permissions needed to post there. Why is this? Was there problems before with everyone giving answers? I don't see how giving misguided answers on malware removal could be any worse than giving misguided answers to DBan in the software thread. Perhaps there were too many responses which were confusing the requester?

Also, what guidelines do you use to determine who is permitted to help people in in malware forums?

 

Thanks for the info Laura. I seem to remember you having a different avatar...looks a little weird. Also, you've been promoted.

Anyway, I'm not sure if I want to jump through so many hoops to help people with malware. Also, my knowledge for malware removal comes from removing it however I can from customer's machines. Therefore, I have kinda made my own way of removing malware. In other words, I would have to do some learning. As for the time aspect, I may soon be going into the Air Force, so I won't be able to help anyone while I am in training.

I would note that I have not seen anyone give bad advice on the forums yet and will be sure to report it if I do.

 

when i come to the site, i first check my usercp for any updates to threads that i've already posted in, then just new posts...i try to look for ones with 0 responses first...and then, unfortunately, i do the opposite, i do newer ones first...only cause they are at the top of the new posts search. there are times when i wishedi could respond to a malware post, mostly to tell people to run the required steps if they haven't.

 

Thanks Laura, but I'm not in yet.

 

And when I say "I'm not in yet" I am referring to the air force

 

Of course, some of us still hold the opinion that the only way to treat malware involves DOS, or similar.

 

I like to boot the computer under Knoppix and start removing files from it. Works pretty well as a first step for me.

 

@ TimW
If that is the case, I might try for a position in the future.

@ Laura
Don't you know that is a promised feature in Windows 7?

 

Something not mentioned about the malware section as well, is that part of the majorgeeks quality control by having only approved people posting, is that we can provide a good solid removal process. I mean by this is that if you come to majorgeeks for malware removal, you get "All posts are answered by approved professionals." which is stated under the forum section description. This insures that majorgeeks remains at the top of our game and keeps up our good reputation. Now as far as removal and becoming trained, id say if your interested, talk to chaslang as its not an impossible task to do. I had the pleasure of watching a new member join on 04-25-07 (who i wont name) that started off needing some help with her computer, then grow into a awesome malware fighter as of the last few months. It is not an easy path, but a rewarding one if completed.

 

I have the feeling you don't get too many people doing this?

 

Hard for me to say, that would be one chaslang would have to answer as far as how many attempt to be a malware fighter, but hello there from kansas, and you should come check out Martinelli's Little Italy in salina, best restaurant in salina

 

[stereotype] So, how about that there corn? Pretty cool ain't it? [/stereotype]

On a more serious note, I have been to Salina about 4 times to go to Salina Babtist Camp. I remember it was cold.

 

Normally, time would not be an issue. However, I may be going into Air Force officer training soon. If I pass my cholesterol and eyesight waiver, I may be going into training in January. When I graduate and get to my post, I should be full of free time then.

My experience is as follows: I graduated Pittsburg State University with a degree in Computer Science. The courses mainly covered computer programming and circuitry, but also had a few courses in operating systems and computer security.

After graduating, I got a job at a local computer repair and retail shop. I mainly work on the computers that customers bring into the store, therefore I diagnose and solve a wide range of symptoms many of which are malware related. I have been working there for a little over a year.

My help forum experience has been limited to here in the software and hardware threads. As to your question about valid and invalid windows processes, I can recognise quite a few Windows processes, but rely on google and sysinfo.org for many.

I am not very familiar with your procedures except to know that you have a procedure and you want your malware experts to follow it. I did look at some threads being worked on by TimW. He has some interesting techniques I haven't used before.

No, but now bookmarked. Always looking for more techniques to kill malware :major

I'm aware of that. There are a lot of tools I have (ex. winternals and spinrite) that is not available for other people. It would be easier to get the user to type commands into a command promt using recovery console than for them to boot a Linux live disk. Still would require a lot of step-by-step procedures; There would probably be a better way to remove certain malware.

I hope that answers all of your questions.

 

Senlis. I am not in the Malware division, so I cannot guide you on that. But, as a former 'Nam era groundpounder( infantry to the people that don't know) you go get them and Good Luck.

 

@ hrlow2: thanks, I could use it.

@TimW and LauraR: what is it with eyeball avatars?

 

They're trying to put a spell on us, I'm not sure if it's working or not.:confused

 

It might be the"Evil Eye".

 

When I first saw your avatar I thought it was some weird mutant or zombie because of the yellow eye and the weird angle.

That was only for a moment tho, when I really looked at it I found out it was...a....something :confused

 

Does look more human.

 

I would love to help in the malware dept but i take some very strong meds for a problem i have, and over the years they have effected my short term memory (what was i saying?) aah yes, what happens is i am doing something and all of a sudden my mind goes blank and i just sit there in a quandary wondering what the h**l i am doing, so it would not be very helpful to someone needing a coherent person on the other end (maybe it early altzimers:-D)
If you feel up to Chazs tests another mind can only help.
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/5056/300300withstupid2247525kp8.th.jpg

 

Now look. I made fun of Laura's avatar and she changed it. I actually liked the other avatar better when I realized it wasn't a zombie/mutant.

I don't know what to expect from one of Chazs test. Something like:
Chaz: Do or do not, there is no try.
Me: That's impossible.
Chaz: That is why you fail.

:-D I am a nerd. However, I'm sure someone will post soon telling me I got the Starwars quote wrong.

 

You could always use a crib sheet
http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/2950/nerdytattoo4053250vv4.jpg
http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/nerdytattoo4053250vv4.jpg/1/w440.png

 

would that be prescribed or bought on the street corner...

 

*bangs head* Thank you, now I have a certain purposely-unnamed comedy skit in my head.

 

You got it. It was totally a Dune quote. Has nothing to do with Starwars I swear. :innocent

But now I have to know what your avatar is called or I will be thinking about it all day.

 

OOH Definitely precribed