I think this isn't what you meant when you said instruction, but you might want to separate the idea about instruction/comments on problems loading/running/using the software from problems in using a piece of software to analyse a user's machine.

In terms of the software, there will then be questions about other things like anti virus and antitrojan tools as well as adaware and spybot. You might be able to accomplish a great deal here by "sticking" up some links to tutorials and specialised forums on other sites.

In terms of analysing a users machine, the adaware and spybot logs seem rather lengthy and specialised, I saw one of the experts here who is also on Tomcoyote getting snarled up with an adaware moderator because the user transferring from Dell posted in the wrong forum. Wouldn't it be better to have a "removal" forum which would be based on the hijackthis log as a starting point and then let the expert/helper ask for reports from additional tools based on helper's predilictions and experience and the requirements dictated by the malware on the user's machine?

So in essence:

General information/discussions spyware and security

Mechanics/Strengths/Weaknesses etc. of the tools

Analysis of a user's system with the tools.

 

I thought you were quite diplomatic.

My thoughts.

Spybot & Ad-aware (and pestatrol etc etc)
These are normally able to be catered for with a set of instructions and a links to download pages.
Much like these two (Both mine) - they are the same page on diff. servers.
www.cjwd.demon.co.uk/spybot-adaware.html
www.cjwdavis.co.uk/s-a.html
My pages link to Texruss's pages for graphical tutorials too.
BeepingComputer has some good tutorials also.
I think you will find support pages for both of these products hosted by the owners too, and that may be more acceptable for linking to from Dell.
They do not need much in the way of support, so could be catered for as part of a more general board, or part of the prelim board for malware removal, I would keep the two (or more) programs together as they compliment each other, more than seperate.

You need a board for 'setting up and problems with Anti-Virus programs' (although a better name could be thought of) - that is problems with the programs not with viruses.

You need a Malware (Virus, Spyware and Ad-ware) removal board - perhaps two, one as a prelim to HJT and one for Hijackthis logs only.

Yes I would say three visable victim posting boards.

Problems with Anti-Virus programs
Malware (Virus, Spyware & adware) removals. - To include Spybot S&D, Ad-aware and PestPatrol etc.
Hijackthis Logs.

But please bare in mind my feelings on postings to hijackthis logs by the general membership.

In terms of analysing a users machine, the adaware and spybot logs seem rather lengthy and specialised, I saw one of the experts here who is also on Tomcoyote getting snarled up with an adaware moderator because the user transferring from Dell posted in the wrong forum.

-===============

LOL - That was me with a Dell Victim. Of all the boards that he could post on he choose the one board that I was not supposted to help at (TC maintains a board for lavasoft experts to help victims with). BTW he never came back to the Lavasoft expert - so never knew what happened to him.

And I would vote for open access in all forums/boards.

This is the worst idea to come down the pike in a long time.  Since these boards were set up for users,  all users should be treated equally.  This reminds me of George Orwell's book Animal Farm  "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others".  To legitimize ASAP is an outrage.  They appear to be certifying themselves,  A certifies B and B certifies A.   I went several rounds with TexRuss and he was never able to supply valid related third-party credentials.   If Dell is some sort of business arrangement with ASAP, i.e. money changing hands,  it would be nice to know.  There is another quote "Do the inmates run the asylum"  

msgale,

Wouldn't you agree that Dell gives you pretty free rein to post wherever and whatever you want...within reason on many boards? Given that reasoning, no one is forcing you to post in the HijackThis board. But, a protocol will be followed and enforced in that one specialized board to expedite the fixing of customers systems.

I agree completely with ChrisRLG's suggestions in this post.

The loss of experts to analyze HJT logs is completely understandable. But the loss of Dell Forum support for malware victims requiring expert help is real. I frequently refer malware victims through a series of steps (anti-virus/Spybot and Ad-Aware/HijackThis if all else fails), and miss the fact that I can't track whether the victim is getting helped without visiting several other forums.

One way of dealing with the problem of multiple responders is through the use of private messages. I've answered questions about network issues that arose in the course of a HJT log analysis by posting into the analysis thread. If messages like that were directed to the trained analyst via PM's, the contributions could be made without confusing the thread, since such replies are really to the HJT analyst and not the original poster.

If at all possible, HJT logs placed in the new board for log analysis should be replied to quickly, even if the reply is "OK, thanks, please be patient!", or "Please include the complete log", or "Please install HJT in a safe directory!", or "Please download the latest HJT version!". It's not clear that experts are needed in that case, but it's reassuring to the victim that their problem isn't being ignored.

Jim

 

Message Edited by cghost on 09-01-2004 01:27 AM

Message Edited by cghost on 09-05-2004 12:40 AM

No, I would not agree.  I feel you are totally missing my point.  Let's try again.  What special verifiable knowledge do they have that sets them apart from everyone else.  P.S. it seem to me that you have made you mind already, why then are asking for comments?  P.PS. this statement is very scary "I will back these users up without question when it comes to removing unauthorized post."  I hope you really didn't mean it?

Message Edited by msgale on 08-31-2004 04:19 PM

Message Edited by msgale on 08-31-2004 04:25 PM