How do I COMPLETELY erase the Windows partition from OS X?

Question

I am a frequent Windows user due to the fact that the software I frequently used is Windows-based. Ive been using boot camp since last summer and since then have had to reformat and reinstall windows twice due to malware/spyware taking over my computer. Ive again suffered from some serious malware issues lately that have just absolutely raped the Windows registry. It got bad enough that my school has recently contacted me to inform me of some hackers that they detected accessing my computer while I was connected to their wireless network. As a result, the only way to eliminate these threats is by reinstalling everything all over again. Its a complete hassle, but its the only way around it unfortunately.
My question is... this time around, I want to be absolutely CERTAIN that this harddrive is 100% rid of any sort of spyware, malware, viruses, whatever, before I continue to install a fresh copy of Windows. Last time I did this I used the Boot Camp application in OS X to remove the Windows partition and create a fresh one. Is this the best way of going about cleaning the harddrive? I feel like it was too fast and too simple to truly be erasing ALL of the Windows garbage.
Thanks for your help!
P.S. I know this isnt the place but if anyone has any good suggestions on how to keep Windows secure and free of attackers any advice is greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

I've experimented some with "what to install when" but I use Vista 64-bit which out of the box is at least somewhat more secure.
Questions I asked myself, install Apple Boot Camp 2.x first, early on, as soon as possible to get HAL support and other things?
Power went out and Vista thought my system was a laptop because it could 'see' I had a large 1 hr runtime UPS, so installing APC PowerChute is first and must, and I've seen power blips often enough.
From my reading, the time for a base install of XP SP1 to infection - default install from CD - is about 15 minutes, what is called a "honey pot" to attract and see what gremlins are out there. And there are a LOT of bots and malware out there. 2008 saw a huge jump in SQL-injection malware, and this winter saw some new strains.
SuperAntiSpywear - just bought it to put on my Windows 7 system, about the only such program that works without BSOD or interfering with W7 (Kaspersky, Norton, both beta editions, still have trouble).
Use your router's firewall to harden and lock down your system from 'knocks' on the door, remote login, inbound AND outbound services and to close your ports.
XP SP3 should be more secure out of the box but I've never used it.
http://www.superantispyware.com/
http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2007.01.securitywatch.aspx
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/best-programs-to-keep-your-computer-secure/
Windows XP SP3 includes vulnerable Flash Player
Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) ships with an out-of-date version of Adobe's Flash Player that's vulnerable to recently-spotted attacks, according to ...
http://www.pctipsbox.com/vista-sp1-and-xp-sp3-vulnerability-hit-by-malware/
One place I've found to always be reliable (along with ZDNet Security which is excellent as well) is to check TechWorld to learn about new security threats and vulnerabilities.
http://www.techworld.com/
http://antivirus.about.com/od/antivirussoftwarereviews/a/nortonantibot.htm
http://www.pctipsbox.com/windows-7-betartm-official-security-solutions/
Removing partition tables should be fast. It doesn't erase anything. If you are concerned or the MBR was compromised then you would need to reformat the entire drive, which would have to remove OS X as well.