possible to have permanent hard-drive spyware?

[ub3r_n00b]

Hey guys. I was just wondering if it was possible for your hard drive to have embedded spyware.

My cousin's computer is MESSED up. Compaq computer, pretty decent... 1.0ghz and such. Gets the job done for school work. He had POPUPS OUT OF THE YAHOO so I low level formated his computer.. installed win xp and such and by the time i got to setting up XP he already had pop ups and spyware out of the Yahoo again.

I am thinking of maybee taking out the ethernet cable and formatting again. Then installing firewalll blah blah blah and then connecting ethernet cable.

Sooo glad im behind a router..

-Preet

[Mark]

I always install XP without a net connection or behind a router, then enable the firewall and do the security updates ASAP.

even better to have a CD copy of a service pack on hand as well.

[YeOldeStonecat]

You keep mentioning "Yahoo"...I'll wager he's installing some Yahoo software. If so, problem is right there.

[ub3r_n00b]

naw i just Yahoo instead of sweating... yahoo = @ss if you will...

-Preet

[Easto]

I have a CD with all my favorite anti virus and anti spyware programs, among other things on it... and none of my computers get connected to the internet until I feel sure that everything is in place.