Virus eaten computer

[Deans BMW]

Early last week, my computer got eaten by a virus even though I have the latest in Spybot, Ad Aware and Norton Anti virus Symatic, etc....

They have been rebuilding my data base and will be ready on Monday.

So I have not fallen off the face of the earth, just now posting on a computer at Mz Pams office.

[arkline]

Deano,

Also make sure to download and install OS and application patches as they become available. All those other things can help keep nasty stuff off your computer, but if the OS is full of exploitable holes, one will get you for sure. And make sure all your computers are up to date, especially if they exist on the same network...

[dallara]

Wow, Dean!!!

That's always a joy, isn't it?

I was wondering if something had happened to ya'! Glad to know you and Pam are okay.

You still gonna' make the Big Bend jaunt?

Cheers!

Dallara

[Deans BMW]

Big D, looks like Big Bend is still on Talk about withdrawal, no Redneck news to antagonize NoRRmad and others with .

We have had ice in the bird bath each morning for about the last 7 days now but about 70 during the day. If all goes well, will be there Thursday afternoon.

[DJ Downunder]

Welcome back Dean-O...now where's darthrider...did your virus eat him too....or is he in jail because of that new hoon bike..

DJ

[Promethean]

DeanO,
Do give me a shout if you need me to help with your PC. I'm no expert but I've resurrected my machine a few times after spyware/virus infection.

Early last week, my computer got eaten by a virus even though I have the latest in Spybot, Ad Aware and Norton Anti virus Symatic, etc....

They have been rebuilding my data base and will be ready on Monday.

So I have not fallen off the face of the earth, just now posting on a computer at Mz Pams office.

[Slipstream]

At the risk of pi**ing everyone here off, let me just say this:

I switched to Apple computers 5 years ago, and will never go back to a Windows-based computer. It's like going from a POS old pickup truck with "three on the tree" to a new BMW 7 series sedan.

I don't spend dime one on anti-virus software, or a second of my time jacking around with updating virus files. There aren't any viruses out there for the OS X operating system. (Although I guess someday someone will write one)

I am 100% compatible with the Windows world, so don't believe that myth.

Sorry, but I couldn't help myself--please forgive me!

[rdsmith3]

Dean,

Next time, don't open the e-mail from the Russian lady who wants to meet a mature American guy for some fun in the sun!

[socalrob]

I have to agree with Slipstream. For an internet machine an Apple is tops. The fit & build quality of my G5 Imac (17" screen?) is great. I won't be going back.

[Boxer]

It also helps to run Mozilla Firefox and an email client different from Outlook. I haven't had near the problems since using Firefox and Eudora.

[JCsman]

I have to agree with Slipstream. For an internet machine an Apple is tops. The fit & build quality of my G5 Imac (17" screen?) is great. I won't be going back.

Once you go Mac, you never go back?

[Promethean]

I agree with you, Boxer. I've had to clean up my machine once or twice a year since I got to using a non-IE client. I use a text based email client. Outlook and it's clones are a no-no.

Personally, I'd love to run Linux with a nice WindowManager like KDE or GNOME. In my opinion, Mac and Windows both try to dumb it down for users...but then again...I'm a nerd.

It also helps to run Mozilla Firefox and an email client different from Outlook. I haven't had near the problems since using Firefox and Eudora.

[pjbmw]

I've been using Mozilla's Thunderbird e-mail client ever since I made the switch to Firefox. Works pretty good. It's still in beta but works good enough for me

[Pat]

I'm no computer guru, but I'm a bit of a prude.......

I've been running a PC via DSL, w/Norton Anti-Virus, and a firewall.

I frequent motorcycle sites, weather, newsrooms, and search engines for the occasional supplemental.

I use nothing unique nor different for my email.

In five years I've had no problems.

I attribute it to putting NOTHING into my computer from somebody else's, and by staying away from material that a "prude" would be said to stay away from.

Stay away from that sh*t, and life will be better, cleaner, and safer.

PC -vs- Mac?
Ajax -vs- Comet.....

[dallara]

Pat said:

PC -vs- Mac?
Ajax -vs- Comet.....

Ajax versus Comet???

Hmmmmmmmm... I don't think so...

That's like saying BMW's - vs - Harley's = Ajax - vs - Comet...

I am fairly computer savvy (all the machines I use myself, at home or at work, I built myself except for my laptop...), and if I wasn't literally forced to be running PC's - primarily for "legacy" reasons - I would be using Mac's and OS-X... For lots of reasons - viruses, worms, etc. being only one of them.

I don't visit happytime sites, non-"prude" sites, blog sites, etc., either, Pat... and I run Windows 2000 Pro (which I like better than XP), both hardware and software firewalls (regularly administered and updated), Norton Anit-Virus (constantly updated), Ad Aware Pro (constantly updated), run "pop-up" blockers, and I don't use Outlook (what a crappy program - I use Eudora)... Still, I have been bagged by nasty viruses... The last time about 3 years ago.

It can happen to anybody with a PC, anytime. and always when you least expect it and are convinced you are sufficiently "armored" against it... Even with fastidious vigilance.

I would have *NEVER* said what you just said, Pat... That's always just about the time one of the nasty little bugs *BOMBS* you!

Cheers!

Dallara

[Pat]

Uhhhh, that was written by some other "Pat"......

on some other computer.....

a MAC, cleaned w/Ajax.

Yeah, thats it. Not MY computer.

(busy burning sage and sprinkling sea salt around the house......)

[BobFV1]

In five years I've had no problems.

I attribute it to putting NOTHING into my computer from somebody else's, and by staying away from material that a "prude" would be said to stay away from.

Stay away from that sh*t, and life will be better, cleaner, and safer.

PC -vs- Mac?
Ajax -vs- Comet.....

That's pretty sanctimnious of you, Patrick-o!

In my case, I was trying to help my kids with their homework. They were doing research on the avian fauna of the Galapagos Islands. I did a Google search for "Blue-Footed Booby" and the next thing you know, there is filthy porongraphy all over my display, and a little executable file entitled "BFBOOBY.EXE"

So, what should I suppose the "BF" in "BFBOOBY" stands for? "Blue-Footed" of course. I opened that file and it ate my hard drive.

Moral to the story - no matter how careful and chaste of thought and deed we are, some Big F*ck*ng Booby is likely to come along and ruin your whole day!

Dean-O, welcome back. Look out for boobies bearing executable files!

[arkline]

Okay, so the mac users are less likely to get trashed...Less likely.

The Firefox users are less likely to get trashed...Less likely.

The Thunderbird/Mozilla mail/Eudora users are less likely to get trashed...Less likely.

The fact remains that if you are not regularly installing the patches handed out by the purveyor of the software, you are more vulnerable. The fact is that Apple comes out with a security update to OS X about once a month. The fact is that there have been a rash of holes in Firefox lately. The fact is that all this code is full of holes and bugs. All you can do is eliminate the obvious problems and stay current with patches.

It used to be that the hackers were just in it for the "glory". But now it looks like there are "multinational gangs" trying to seed machines on the Internet so that they can be used in the future for nefarious purposes. And the attacks are so subtle that I would be extremely cautious in stating something like "there are no viruses, rootkits, or other nefarious software on my machine." Believe me, I have spent more time fighting off attacks in the last six months than I did in the entire twenty years previous. I sometimes equate computer security with military justice...

If your machine is regularly used to communicate on the Internet, you ARE at risk. I work for a large university in IT and have done for a good, long time. Believe me, the situation is not getting better...

[wncbmw]

We got a bug a few weeks ago and I had the full Norton's package! A scan by Nortons revealed the problem and showed they had an update out since last year. Apparently my automatic update did not function. Nortons will never get another penny from me. After the machine got cleaned, I installed the free version of AVG anti-virus that we run at work with good results. (We use the paid version at work).

And we will be shopping for a computer soon and I am considering the Apple option! I at least need to abandon Outlook and Explorer.

[dallara]

Arkline said:

If your machine is regularly used to communicate on the Internet, you ARE at risk.

Sooooooooo, are you paranoid if "they" are really out to get you?



BTW, BobFV1...

*LOVE* the Booby story!!!

And just as an aside, Arkline...

I know *NO* computer, operating system, etc. will ever be 100% safe from hackers, viruses, worms, etc. but I hope you will admit that your chances of avoiding all that crap is much better if you are on a Mac...

Of course, the reason is that the percentage of Mac's out there is so low compared to PC's that most hackers/virus authors just don't consider them worth messing with...

Me, I am seriously considering a Mac for home use - *BIG TIME*! If for no other reason than I am tired of Bill Gates and his endless number of "new" features that really do nothing for me, and are nothing but marketing hype and "bloatware"... I will *NEVER* run XP unless it is forced upon me by my software vendors for our in-house computer system at work (we currently use Windows 2000 Pro & Server), and I will never run XP at home. I will switch to a Mac first.

Cheers!

Dallara