virus

dawnofsierra · May 29, 2004

Wanted to tell everyone what happened when I was checking my email last night. Well, first, a few weeks ago, my entire computer was wiped out by a virus..lost everything.

So, a small fortune later when I had my entire computer reloaded, I asked them to include as much antivirus stuff as possible. It must have worked last night because I clicked on an email with the subject "Hi" and a Huge screen came up that said "VIRUS DETECTED DO NOT DOWNLOAD".

You guys probably have the antivirus software, but I value all of you so much, I wouldn't want the same horrible virus scenerio to happen to any of you! So if you receive an email with the subject "Hi", please make sure you know who sent it before you open it!

Stephanie

wellingtoncats · May 29, 2004

I get about 20 of these "Hi" emails in my hotmail inbox each day. I delete them though cos they are normally from "[email protected]" I mean what sane human being would have that..lol. I've got good virus software though on my computer, AVG and it's free which is a bonus. On my laptop we've got Norton Antivirus and I tellya that's just plain annoying it pops up every two minutes saying there's been a virus detected. In the four years that I've had the internet I haven't had a single problem with viruses yet, *touch wood*

Thanks for the heads up though!

cilla · May 29, 2004

Thanks for that warning Stephanie. If ever I get a virus like I wouldn't be able to afford to have it fixed, so if I ever disappear very suddenly, you will all know what has happened.

spideycat · May 29, 2004

Every body should have a good antivirus program on their computer and even more protection a personal firewall also. Don't go saying I can't afford either of these because the protection you get is alot cheaper than trying to repair later. Besides there are free antivirus and personal firewalls Sam has already mention one Avg by grisoft and Zonealarm from Zonelab are both free and Zonelab has a Pro version. To find these programs you can go to CNET'S download.com and find all kinds of free to try software and others.

Anne · May 29, 2004

I think I get about 100 virus messages every day (and about 500 spam emails too

). I simply never open an email with an obscure title. A current anti virus program is a MUST for everyone.

Don't forget that virus can mask the sender's identity, so it may look like you know the person that sent you the email - but it's still a virus. Also, it may really be from someone that you know that has been infected by a virus himself. In short - never open an attachment (picutures should just display themselves without being opened) and have an updated version of some good AV software.

cazx01 · May 29, 2004

ive been getting those "hi" emails now for about 6 months, but my computer deleates anything with a virus as soon as it is sent.

squirtle · May 29, 2004

Originally Posted by Anne

Don't forget that virus can mask the sender's identity, so it may look like you know the person that sent you the email - but it's still a virus. Also, it may really be from someone that you know that has been infected by a virus himself. In short - never open an attachment (picutures should just display themselves without being opened) and have an updated version of some good AV software.

Very good advice. There are viruses that will forward themselves to everyone on the victim's contact list. One thing that has been helpful for me is to have 2 email addresses. One for junk, like when a random website requires your email address for something, and one for family and friends. I do not get any junk mail in my regular email. Which is very nice.

I also want to add that I have my regular email address listed here on TCS and used it when I signed up for Meowhoo and I have never ever gotten a junk, or spam email from any of these places.

I think thats awesome.

dawnofsierra · May 29, 2004

Would someone mind please explaining to me what a personal firewall is? Wonder if I have one?

kumbulu · May 29, 2004

This site explains it well: http://www.howstuffworks.com/firewall.htm

dawnofsierra · May 30, 2004

How considerate of you, Tania!
Stephanie

kumbulu · May 30, 2004

No worries Stephanie.

mzjazz2u · May 30, 2004

It is so important to have good, up to date antivirus. Even if you delete all emails from folks you don't know you have to have the anti virus. Several years ago I got a virus just from visiting a website. And you're constantly downloading things you don't realize you're downloading. Especially if you don't have a firewall. Zone alarm has a free personal firewall that works great.ZoneAlarm Trial Firewall

Very rarely do I get notice of a virus now. The only time it happens now, usually is when I'm downloading music and it is fixed & repaired or isolated and deleted.

fastdak · May 30, 2004

85% of my day is spent doing virus removal at work.
I reccomend that everyone have an up to date antivirus program (Norton is my choice), that windows firewall is enabled, and that users employ a hardware firewall (otherwise known as a router).
This will drastically reduce the amount of viruses getting onto your systems.
Another suggestion would be checking your E-mail using an webmail based E-mail program. Most providers offer them now. The E-mail remains on the Internet Service Provider's webserver and is only downloaded onto your machine if you execute an attachment or save the E-mail itself.
Outlook express or the full Outlook downloads the entire message and attachments to your computer when you "check your E-mail". This opens the door to viruses. As a general rule, if you dont know the person sending you the E-mail or the E-mail title appears to be too good to be true (ie. "You have won $1000) do not open it.

If anyone has any questions regarding computers let me know through PM or E-mail. I am an A+ industry certified computer tech, and a CCET (Certified Computer Engineering Technologist).

Dave

dawnofsierra · May 30, 2004

Thanks for all of that wonderful advice, Dave! Boy did I need you last month!

jcat · May 31, 2004

Just a little note - the freeware firewalls offered give you some protection, but the "pro" versions offer more comprehensive security, and are well worth the price. And don't forget to update your anti-virus software weekly, at a minimum, and to download Windows' relevant security patches.

dawnofsierra · May 31, 2004

What would you recommend as a "pro" version?

dawnofsierra · May 31, 2004

Originally Posted by mzjazz2u

Zone alarm has a free personal firewall that works great.ZoneAlarm Trial Firewall

Thanks for that advice and great free download!
Stephanie

arg0 · May 31, 2004

FastDak said:
I reccomend that everyone have an up to date antivirus program (Norton is my choice), that windows firewall is enabled, and that users employ a hardware firewall (otherwise known as a router).

Good advice, but I would have to argue that the Windows "firewall" only goes so far and routers only good for what the user programs it for. I heavily dislike the MS Firewall that XP has, even MS has stated that it has its problems and is being corrected in SP2. Just make sure you have a decent antivirus program (Norton is the popular one, even though I do NOT use it, I think its a piece of junk), Use a anti spam program (I use the one by Cloudmark, it ROCKS www.cloudmark.com). Firewalls only go so far, but do NOT block spam or antiviruses. It may block trojans tranmitting data or spam, but it depends on the software...

Hope this helps also.

fastdak · May 31, 2004

Agreed, the Windows firewall is quite useless and does have a lot of holes, but it does stop SOME things from coming in.

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