Posted on 11/23/2010 1:30:19 PM PST by DGHoodini
Doesn’t sound like a virus to me.
Yeah, it's just not porn sites. You have to be careful, especially when using Explorer because it doesn't do nearly as a good of a job of intercepting these malicious scripts as FF3 does, especially if you have some of the FF3 script-blocking addons installed.
Plus, even solid sites can sometimes have their banner ads infected with malware, if only for short period of time.
He worked hard and earned the money for his own computer, which is an inexpensive one. We also installed Webroot on it, as two computer professionals in the extended family recommended it. He has paid for the repairs out of his own earnings. Of course he would not get another one from me—I’m unemployed and could not dream of buying a computer for him. I cherish mine because it’s essential for money-raising and job-hunting, so he is not allowed to touch it unless I’m sitting right next to him staring at the screen.
bookmark to read all the replies - I appreciate the collective wisdom of Freepers on making my computer safer
Well then, he will learn the hard way. Like I did. :) I can tell you, I thought I was careful. Now, instead of careful, I am paranoid. It’s sad that the bad apples have taken the joy out. I’m sure I miss a lot of fun pictures of my friends being idiots but better that than a virus. ;)
Not to alarm you, but another friendly piece of advice. I would not use this machine to do any financial transactions until the drive was reformated and your authentic copy of Windows re-installed.
You most likely really put yourself at risk when you ran their software. Let's put it this way, the $100 means nothing if I can get you to run software that installs stealth code such as keyloggers that tracks passwork inputs and so on. If I can get to run my code on your machine then I've got you by the balls, I for one would definitely reformat. Just a friendly advice, GOOD LUCK!
I was using Firefox. I *think* I got it on Facebook, altho I am not sure. As I said, I was a pretty careful surfer, in all the years I’ve been online (shoot, since about 1994?) I have only one other time had anything, the SoBig virus). And then, got something on both computers at once. Who knows. I felt like a darned target.
Swordmaker may be hopelessly drunk on hard Apple cider, but he also happens to be very knowledgeable in all aspects of the personal computer field.
He can be annoying at times, but he has also earned my respect.
I had a 1 TB external mirrored drive. Backed things up to it regularly.
Seagate downloaded some new code to it ( didnt know they could do that without my approval) which turned it into a brick.
Lost everything on it.
The most common sites distributing malware today are not porn sites. They are regular trusted sites which have been compromised.
That and anything related to the searches for celebrities or sites targeted at children.
BTW the best way to avoid problems while surfing is to do it using a limited account. If the account doesn’t have privileges to install anything you avoid most problems.
IOW don’t surf using a local admin account.
Linux? I don’t think I can use that on my Mac.Actually, you can. I run Fedora Linux on an old G4-based Mac Mini. :-)
The important thing from a security standpoint is to run something other than Microsoft Windows.
“The important thing from a security standpoint is to run something other than Microsoft Windows. “
Windows 7 is very secure.
As for swordmaker...
My best to you, and swordmaker, this holiday season.
Peace.
Earlier this year, after not running it for at least a month, I fired up the VM, and received a notice that my copy of Windows was not activated. I didn't have time to screw around with it at that time, so I ignored it.
A day or two later, I started up the VM again to fix the problem and this time Windows decided it was properly activated. Since then the problem has not reoccurred.
I wonder if the warning was caused by a combination of not running Windows for a long time (a month or more) along with no network connectivity (I had it turned off at the VM level). It may be that if it can't "call home" to confirm its activation status, it shows a bogus error message.
Not good. Lesson learned? Don't do that again you naughty boy!
Windows 7 is very secure.If so, that is a wonderful change from every earlier version of Windows!
So once again the mac crowd has turned a windows thread into a ‘I hate windows’ thread.
Good job
Running XP since it was out virus free
The Windows Operating System itself has always been safe. I think he’s talking about the browser they make, Internet Exploder or something like that.
My Norton 360 deactivated today. Yes, it really was deactivated. Ran Anti-MalwareBytes and AdAware. Nothing. Re-downloaded the software (from Norton’s site) and did a reinstall. Still won’t activate. Spent the afternoon in chat with three Norton guys from India. They’re going to call me back tomorrow...Sheesh...
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