Grandpa's ghost PC

Got your own spyware horror story?

About a year ago my grandfather got a new computer and decided he would give my family his old one. I was delighted to finally have a computer of my own. Little did I know that my grandfather's antivirus software had been removed. I saw Firefox on the desktop, but had no clue of its purpose. And I didn't pay much attention to the Windows updates in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. I quickly hooked up the Internet and began surfing the Web.

It wasn't long before my younger brother asked to use my computer. At first I said no, but with the constant nagging it was hard to keep him off. It wasn't much longer before he was constantly on my computer without my permission.

I went about my business and just let him use the computer. One night, I left my home and came back to tons of new icons on my desktop advertising things like Oreo and "Which is better, the Xbox or PS2?" I thought it was something my brother had put there and forgot about. I deleted them and didn't think more about it.

The next morning I was amazed to find them back on my desktop yet again. After I deleted them again, I called my local gaming cafe and asked for advice. It was too late--at this point Windows would hardly run; it was missing key files; it crawled when it loaded (if it did). It wouldn't even run Internet Explorer anymore.

I basically threw it to the side. I got a new computer and instantly installed AVG Free, Asquared Free, Spybot - Search and Destroy, and ZoneAlarm, to name a few free programs. I even made a nice little Web site about keeping your computer clean and safe. I also defrag and fix Registry files annually, and educate all of my friends and family on keeping their computers safe.

-Chase
Marion, Ohio, USA

Reply from the Download.com editors:

With some of the hair-raising tales we receive every day at CNET Download.com, it's no surprise to see a formerly-useful PC reduced to a quivering blob within hours, let alone days, when it's lacking proper security protections. Your grandfather was smart to pass along his old computer down to you, but he may not have been aware of the dangers that lurk on Web sites these days. He also may not have frequented the same type of Web sites as you do.

The security programs you mention are a good start, as are AdAware and HijackThis, two more invaluable tools for monitoring your system. For a decent foundation of PC protection, see our Security Starter Kit, and for more great free security software, see our Best Free Security and Spyware Software.

Even if worse comes to worst and you have to abandon a spyware-ridden PC in favor of a new upgrade, don't let your old machine fester in your basement. There are lots of schools and other institutions that will gladly accept your hardware, a donation that you might also even be able to deduct on your tax return.