[little laker]

This is really intended more as a public service announcement than anything.

I loaned out my laptop (I rarely use it) to a friend about a month ago, and her daughter made one mistake.
Clicking on one of those really nice links with all the smilie faces on it. I'm sure that you know the ones, they laugh or shout something out at you, whenever you wave your mouse past them.

I made the discovery last week, when I tried going on-line, and saw their awful toolbar.
Since I made the same mistake a few years ago I knew what might happen, and sure enough it did.

The laptop, which is usually lightning fast is running slower than I thought possible.

My spyware scanners are all freezing part way through a scan, even while running in safe mode. I've given up trying to restore it.

At this point I've decided to wipe the harddrive, and do a full re-install during my next visit.

I honestly can't be upset with her. Like I've said I've made the same mistake in the past.

Please do yourself a favor before letting any children use your computers, and talk to them about those nasty little smiling faces and other spyware hazards.
Just as important, don't get upset at them if they do make the mistake. After all, we've all made mistakes.

In this case it's actually my fault anyways. When I loaned her mom my laptop I told her that the children weren't allowed to use it. Which she agreed to.
However I changed my mind, making it easier for her children doing their home schooling.