Someone just sent me a VIRUS!!!

glitch

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Some creep just sent me more than one virus! I opened the message off of my computer and all of a sudden all of this crap starts popping up all over called blessdad. something or another!! OH IM SO MAD!! They sent me the Trojan Horse and the I-worm! I know what the Trojan Horse is but I never heard of the other, thank godd I have a virus detector that can delete that crap but Im so angry!! You have no idea the trouble I just had to go through. It wouldn't let me x out the browsers, it popped up with a total of 12 broswers, telling me this that and the other! Just stupid!! Someone was asking for my e-mail addy so they could send me a picture! GRRR!! This is a girl I knew all my life so I figured she had a pic of our kids together or something. No such luck. What a cow!! I dont know if my computer will ever be the same again, I mean, I got them removed right away, but what kind of permanent damage did it do! Anyway, there was a total of 14 virus's that got sent to me! Oh I can't even believe someone would do that to me. I got upset with her the other day because she really doesn't take care of her kids EVER and told her she needed to. She then ran off to a different state for godd knows how long and left the kids with the mother who is now going to get custody of them!! How can one person be so frickin mean. Sorry for the rant! But Im more than pissed right now.
 

strange_wings

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She didn't send you the virus.
This is what happens whenever a computer is infected and that is how this stuff is spread. For example, if you had no virus detector or have missed something your computer then sends that stuff out to people in your messenger program's buddy list or email address book.

It's not her fault, so before you call her names and end the friendship - warn her that her computer is infected and where to get an antivirus program.

For future reference - alt+crtl+delete > task manager > applications tab - close the browser there.
Open your task manager right now and click on the processes tab, look for any weird name exes that are running, put the name in google and do a search. You may still be infected - this will warn you if anything is running at the moment.
 
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glitch

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

She didn't send you the virus.
This is what happens whenever a computer is infected and that is how this stuff is spread. For example, if you had no virus detector or have missed something your computer then sends that stuff out to people in your messenger program's buddy list or email address book.

It's not her fault, so before you call her names and end the friendship - warn her that her computer is infected and where to get an antivirus program.
I really hope thats what happened. I really, really, really hope thats what happened. The only virus Ive ever had before was due to my DH.

I just dont understand why my virus protector didn't catch it right away!! Whats up with that! My computer has to go haywire before it catches it?? I think I need a new anti virus thingy! Darn, I really liked the one I have too. I guess it can't be too bad, since it did catch it right away and remove it, but still, I would have like to have gotten it cought before it screwed with everything!! I had to turn the computer off, take the battery out, and then put it back in and restart everything just to get it to work! It was a nightmare!
 

fwan

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i kind of find it funny how crazy you are going over it. (the computer not the friend)

i remember the days back in 1999 where it was so easy to hack into ones computer and add viruses and delete everything.

in 1999 my computer was wiped out 4 times by hackers, that sure made me go nuts because each time i had to go to the repair store and get them to fix it and it took a week!

So for me getting a virus and making it pop up several windows is nothing. it wont do much damage to the computer, if worse comes to worse you can reinstall the computer.

P.s never accept anything with .exe
this is when you know its a virus
 

theimp98

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new virus come out everyday, that why they keep running updates to your anti virus program
 

EnzoLeya

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Hopefully you can get everything fixed on your computer!!!

I've had a laptop for 3 years now and have never had virus thank goodness!


I hope your computer makes it through ok!!!
 

tierre0

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Originally Posted by theimp98

new virus come out everyday, that why they keep running updates to your anti virus program
Exactly it is very easy for something to slip in and it doesn't necessarily have to come from another person via email it can be lurking on a server or web site as well...Better safe then sorry!!!
 

natalie_ca

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Your friend didn't send out the virus to you.

An e-mail virus travels as an attachment to e-mail messages, and usually replicates itself by automatically mailing itself to dozens of people in the victim's e-mail address book. Some e-mail viruses don't even require a double-click -- they launch when you view the infected message in the preview pane of your e-mail software.

An excellent way to put yourself at risk for a virus is to send "forward" emails. Why? Well, let's say that you received an email from someone who had sent it to 20 people. She not only sent the email to 20 people, but she also sent your email address to them too. Now if each of those 20 people clicked "FORWARD" and sent that email off to 20 people each, that means your email was sent off to a whopping 400 strangers all within seconds.

Many people do not delete their sent or deleted emails, which means that emails remain within your email program and on your computer. Also, some have their emails set to add email address from received emails, to their address book automatically.

All it takes is one infected computer in that chain of forwarded emails to be infected. The virus on the infected computer looks to the sent, deleted, draft and address book for email address and "spoofs" an email and sends it out automatically without the person even being aware of it being done.

Chances are the email came from someone else's computer entirely, maybe even your own, and not your friend's computer. Any computer that has her address on it and is infected could be the culprit.

Here is some excellent advice on how to protect your computer:

It's not only important to run anti spyware programs regularly, but it's important to take measures to protect yourself from getting such stuff to begin with.

Some browsers are more prone to attracting malware than others. Internet Explorer is terrible for getting hit with malware type stuff. I use Mozilla-Firefox. Most if not all browsers and firewalls come with features that block ads and popups, it's important to learn how to use those features so that you are preventing those types of things from even reaching your computer.

The things I do to keep my computer safely protected:

1. Up-to-date AntiVirus program;

2. Up-to-date Firewall program;

3. I connect to a router;

4. I use Mozilla-Firefox and extensions https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/fir...cation=firefox

5. I block all internet ads with Mozilla-Firefox extensions and my Firewall;

6. I run Lavasoft Adaware daily;

7. I download and run Dr Web's Cureit once a week. Note: If you do not buy the program you need to download a new updated version of the free one each time you want to run it;

8. I run ccleaner every day;

9. I virus scan once a week;

10. I do not turn on "preview pane" in Outlook Express. Previewing emails is like opening them up. How to disable preview pane

11. I never, ever, ever open an email from anyone that I am not expecting one from. Even if I know the person. I'm not only talking about the attachments, but the email itself too. While some attachments have a virus/worm/trojan, it's also possible to embed a 1 pixel transparent gif file into a mailing that activates when you open the email and proceeds to send back data to the sender.

12. I delete ALL forwarded emails. Then send an email to the sender and tell them to opt me out of any future forward emails and tell them what I told you above about how sending forward emails puts everyone at risk for computer viruses.

13. I also use a startup manager with my Windows XP so that I can see what is running in the background and I turn off everything that I don't want to run, and investigate things I see running that shouldn't be there.

14. Never download free screensavers and fun looking toolbars!!!! They are filled with malicious spyware.

15. I delete cookies and online and offline content and temporary internet files. Never save banking or password or any sensitive information cookies on your computer.

In the more than 7 years since I've been on the intenet I've never had a virus. The closest I came was some malware that was apparently sending out thousands of emails that I didn't know about. I eventually found out when I called my ISP to find out why I couldn't send or retrieve my email and they told me that they turned off my privileges! I did all kinds of scans at a variety of links they gave me, and the only thing that showed up on my system was some adware, some of which apparently was the problem. Once I got rid of that stuff, my ISP turned my email privileges back on again.

I also know so many who have had computer crashes and have had to reformat their systems because of spyware/adware/malware.

People may think it's no big deal, but when you have been affected by it like I have, or know so many others who have lost everything because of it, you begin to realize how extremely important it is to be vigilent with keeping that stuff out of your computer.

If you absolutely need to send an email to more than one person at a time IE: dinner invitation, then be courteous and use BCC for the 2nd and subsequent recipients. BCC stands for "Blind Carbon Copy", which means that the email addresses will not show up on other peoples' computers because it's hidden.

How to send BCC emails using Outlook Express:

Instructions for sending BCC emails using a variety of email clients

Unfortunately for those being spammed with emails containing viruses and worms, there is no relief until the person who's computer is infected does a virus scan and gets rid of the offending virus/worm.

What I do if I get such email is to send an email to every single person in my address book using "BCC" protocol. In the email I tell them

SUBJECT: SOMEONE HAS A COMPUTER VIRUS!

I have been getting virus emails and that means that someone has an infected computer and tell them the following:

1. Update your antivirus software and run a virus scan

2. Download and run Lavasoft Adaware;

3. Download and run Dr Web's Cureit once a week. Note: If you do not buy the program you need to download a new updated version of the free one each time you want to run it;

4. Please DO NOT forward this email. Instead, please create a new email with this information in it, and send it to everyone in your email address book using "BCC" protocol so that they can scan their computers as well. Please ask that they do the exact same thing using a new email and BCC protocol with each send.

How to send BCC emails using Outlook Express:

Instructions for sending BCC emails using a variety of email clients
 

sarahp

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All of that advice is excellent!

As has been said - never never never open attachments that you aren't expecting, or have .exe or anything else at the end you don't recognise.

Go to http://housecall.antivirus.com and run the free virus scanner just to make sure there's nothing else in your system that has been missed.
 

swampwitch

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

She didn't send you the virus.
This is what happens whenever a computer is infected and that is how this stuff is spread. For example, if you had no virus detector or have missed something your computer then sends that stuff out to people in your messenger program's buddy list or email address book. ....
It can also happen without her knowledge if she has a Mac. The Mac won't get infected, but can easily spread the viruses to other PCs.
 
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glitch

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Errgg.. I talked to her, and her goal was to send me the trojan horse. She said it would be easy to get rid of so she thought it would be funny. Yeah, funny like the other 13 malicious software or whatever!


Thanks for all the good info everyone! I most certainly am going to use it!!
 

trouts mom

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OMG, if someone did that on purpose to me, I would freak out.

I had a bad virus last year..I think my computer has never been the same.
 
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glitch

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I dont understand how you go about trying to send a virus anyway... She said her computer has it too now. But I have blocked her from e-mail, so the only way she can talk to me is from IM. Im going through all the programs right now trying to figure things out.... seeing what I need, what I dont need!

The thing Im confused at, is how do you get a firewall?? I have Avast Virus Protection so I dont know if that IS a firewall or what! I would think if it was I wouldn't have gotten them in the first place. I had Norton Anti Virus, but I deleted it because HP says it slows things down and recommended this one... grrr...

What does everyone else use??
 
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glitch

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OMG that housecall place is telling me my computer wont be fully scanned for another 3 hours!! Thats a long time for a scan!! Oh well, if it works its worth it I guess!
 

strange_wings

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Originally Posted by glitch

Errgg.. I talked to her, and her goal was to send me the trojan horse. She said it would be easy to get rid of so she thought it would be funny. Yeah, funny like the other 13 malicious software or whatever!
That's just odd. Has the person shown such anti social behavior before?
 
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