Stopping Spyware from "Seeing" Your Activity

From: Brad (bpetria_at_verizon.net)
Date: 03/30/05 

Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2005 21:23:10 GMT

Hi,

     With never ending attacks (viruses, spyware, etc.) against MS Windows and
IE users by a multitude of hackers around the world who are determined to
"find a way", we are burdened with the never ending task of installing patches
and "fixes". I like Windows 98se, which no longer is a "prime target", but it
isn't safe against all forms of spyware. I want to use my computer to edit
private information (passwords, account numbers, etc.), but I didn't want to
worry about a new type of spyware "watching" my activities. I decided to
modify (see below) "MSDOS.SYS" so my computer boots into Dos mode.
Note: Dos "prompt" is not safe compared to Dos. Now I do what I need to do for
my own peace of mind. Afterwards, I type "WIN" to launch Windows.
Note: There are "tons" of Dos based software still available on the web.
If you like this "safe" idea, type the following without quotes in a Dos "box"
("prompt"):

   "CD \" and press Enter.
   "ATTRIB -R -H -S MSDOS.SYS" and press Enter.
   "EXIT" and press Enter (return to Windows).
    Use Notepad to open "MSDOS.SYS" located at the root folder ("C:\"),
   and change the line, "BootGUI=1" to "BootGUI=0".
   Save and replace "MSDOS.SYS" with the modified version.
   Use Dos "prompt" again.
  "CD \" and press Enter.
  "ATTRIB +R +H +S MSDOS.SYS" and press Enter.
  "EXIT" and press Enter (return to Windows).

  From now on, when you turn on the power, your computer will boot into Dos
(completely safe mode).

  Final notes: Always shut down your computer via Windows. If you use
Windows XP, you can't use this procedure.

                                Brad

  Before you type your password, credit card number, etc.,
 be sure there is no active key logger (spyware) in your PC.

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