Here are some ways to protect yourself that many users are not aware of.
Arlene is correct. We don't know how the person became infected but it
is probably at least in part by letting the computer be scanned by a
program claiming it would tell the user what problems are on the machine.
You should never accept any scans you didn't ask for in the first place.
If you go to an online scanning site you know is reputable, that's fine
but if you ever get a popup asking to scan your computer or telling you
that you have problems on your machine, you should never let it do what
it wants to do. Also, if using Internet Explorer, it's a good idea to
have Active X controls turned off unless you are on a site where they are
required. While many sites yuse Active X controls, just getting a
message that the page may not display correctly is not sufficient reason
to have them on. If you need them on to play audio or do something
specific, that's sufficient reason. but Active X controls are a security
risk and you are safer having them off except when you need them on. If
you need them on, you can turn them on, then usef5 to refresh the page
and the Active X control or controls on the page will then run when
needed. If you re using Vista or Windows 77 using protected browsing,
you probably don't have to be as careful about this. But unless I knew
more than I do about this topic, I would still turn them off unless I
knew protected browsing would give me good protection. While running
antimalware programs gives a good deal of protection, given the dangerous
environment that exists today, I would still have Active X controls off
unless needed. Also, if you have a choice of settings for a popup
blocker, set it to block all popups. The Microsoft popup blocker gives
you a choice and I believe the default is to block some popups. But
that's a dangerous setting because no popup blocker can know which popups
are safe. It just knows that when it is set to only block some popups,
that there are certain kinds of popups it will allow.
Gene
----- Original Message -----
From: "arlene" <nedster6@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 5:58 PM
Subject: [accesscomp] Re: windows security issue
This is why I don't do a free scan for viruses. Not unless I
know the source. I make for sure it's from a site like
Microsoft. Even there I'm careful in case the bad guy is there
to having you in General thinking it's safe.
----- Original Message -----
From: Scott Granados
To: accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 10:40 AM
Subject: [accesscomp] Re: windows security issue
I totally agree. That's part of the way these bad guys get machines is
by creating fake PC scanns that they claim return your PC to the state it
was new.
The only time I've gotten a virus is when someone let one loose in a
company I was working for and they didn't have proper IPS installed.
What I can tell you though is coming from the service provider
background, you'd be shocked how many infected machines are out there.
More frightening still is how many are out there and their users don't
even know.:(
----- Original Message -----
From: Ch.B.
To: accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 10:37 AM
Subject: [accesscomp] Re: windows security issue
Actually I have been virus free fort he last 10 years or so. The only
times I did catch something was because I was lazy and neglected some
stuff.
I am actually one to clean install my three machines like once a year,
regardless. because no matter what you do as far as maintenance, there is
nothing as sweet and fast, as a freshely installed OS , smile
---
Happy chanukah everyone! Chanuka Sameach!
From: accesscomp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:accesscomp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Scott Granados
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 7:29 PM
To: accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [accesscomp] Re: windows security issue
No I agree with you I didn't think you were missing the point just
wanted to hammer home the gravity of the situation. I'm with you, I kill
the bugs right on the wire in hardware, none of this software based virus
nonsense. Different paths to the same end but I like handling all the
virus and worm / intrusion problems on the wire before my computer is
even touched. That or just don't run windows.;)
----- Original Message -----
From: Ch.B.
To: accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 10:24 AM
Subject: [accesscomp] Re: windows security issue
I KNOW that. This was just a tip since he did not seem that keen on
just going right ahead and nuking his system
Me personally I NEVER run a compromised system. I was merely
pointing out that a scan with his own software would be of no use, once
something already got thru on his pc.
---
Happy chanukah everyone! Chanuka Sameach!
From: accesscomp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:accesscomp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Scott Granados
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 7:11 PM
To: accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [accesscomp] Re: windows security issue
I'd have to disagree here a little.
These tools just don't reliably get rid of bugs. They do a pretty
good job of keeping them out and cutting them off at the pass but once
they get in your system you just can't trust the pc any further. Even
using one of the online scanners can be problematic because the virus
redirects you to what you think is an online scanner and is actually a
site running by the bad guy that looks the same but introduces yet more
malware. If you take the route of scanning and not reformatting then
never ever use a credit card from the pc again and assume everything you
do from now on is being read by a bad guy. Do what you want but I just
wouldn't trust it if you have a bug in the system. Would you have sex
with an aids patient with full blown aids even with a condom? Likely not
because there is still potentially risk, same here. To late for the
rubber my friend.;)
I don't mean to be crude just show you the gravity of the situation.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ch.B.
To: accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 10:00 AM
Subject: [accesscomp] Re: windows security issue
Sounds to me that there really might be a virus, trojan or
whatever that made it way onto your computer. Running a virus scan with
softeware on your machine, may not help, since if the virus already
bypassed your anti virus program it may not even go off now.
I recommend a thorough scan using an online scanner like kaspersky
or pc cillin from trendmicro.
HTH
---
Happy chanukah everyone! Chanuka Sameach!
From: accesscomp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:accesscomp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Andrew Godwin
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 6:10 PM
To: accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [accesscomp] Re: windows security issue
I agree, performing a disk reformat and reinstalling windows
certainly will insure the threat is gone. However, that is quite a task.
So, I would start by running a Virus scan with the antivirus software
loadded on the computer and run a spyware scan with a program like SUPER
Antispyware Free Edition. If that doesn't work you probably will need to
consider performing the disk reformat and windows reinstall.
----- Original Message -----
From: Marcus Williams
To: accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 11:47 AM
Subject: [accesscomp] Re: windows security issue
You're dealing with a user with little knowledge of computer
operations.
Can you outline the steps for this process?
If not, can you tell me where to begin looking for the
information?
----- Original Message -----
From: Scott Granados
To: accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 10:44 AM
Subject: [accesscomp] Re: windows security issue
Reformat your hard disk and reinstall windows. That's the
only way to be certain you've gotten rid of the threat.
----- Original Message -----
From: Marcus Williams
To: accesscomp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 8:18 AM
Subject: [accesscomp] windows security issue
Hi all,
Recently, my computer started issuing warnings about
infected or suspicious files.
The warnings occur every few minutes even if I press the
"cancel button" that is presented.
By the way, the "cancel button" is the only choice I'm
given; and still the warnings keep appearing, accompanied by the offer to
buy some antimalware protection whose origins I can't locate.
And just to pur insult on top of injury, my computer has
started shutting down and restarting without input from me.
Some help is really needed here!
Marcus
marcus72@xxxxxxx
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.427 / Virus Database: 270.14.107/2564 - Release Date:
12/14/09 07:37:00
