16 replies to this topic

[Nick Iannamico]

I got an email today from Tino Morales with an attachment.. It was a virus, he didn't intentionally send it, it emails automatically to anyone in his outlook/outlook express (to those in the know. Microsoft LOOKOUT!) address book... Do not open the attachment!

Anyone not using a anti-virus program I highly suggest the anti virus software from e-trust http://www.my-etrust.com.. It is $24.95 to buy the program, and to renew it each year is about $10.00

Also anyone looking for an excellent FREE firewall program check out http://www.zonelabs.com

Oh as a certified A+ Computer Tech. you have my seal of approval!

[full auto 45]

Got the same thing myself just a little while ago. My AT&T cought the virus and deleted it, but only gave me that it came from Tino. I deleted it before it could be downloaded. Be careful.

[Walter63a]

Thanks Nick for the alert. I've been having some very unusual problems with my browser (IE) in the last few days (homepage changed by itself, couldn't change it back, and browser kept closing by itself). So, today for the last few hours I've been scouring various folders and files-deleting anything not recognized by me, which have recent (2003) creation dates. I don't use any antiviral programs. Perhaps I'll start with the antiviral and firewall programs you've recommended. I guess I've been relying on the goodwill of most people (naively). Perhaps my recent rants against the Orange Ones have resulted in increased computer terrorism on their part, in order to stem the flow of free speech before their counterinsurgency, no doubt planned for 10/31/03. Regards, Walter

P.S. What does H.N.I.C. stand for, exactly? Is that a recent mug?

[Nick Iannamico]

ERRRRT stop right there Walter!!

You need to get yourself a copy of AD-AWARE! It will remove all that crap and then some!
Also goto C:\Windows\Downloaded Program Files

That is where active X controls are stored! Delete them ALL if you don't feel like looking through them to see what is what... If you need one from a legit. site it will be put back!

You can get ad-aware FREE from www.download.com search for ad-aware, download it, use the check for update button on the program, update, and then run the program... After it is done you'll see a ton of files in there, right click on any of them and choose, SELECT ALL OBJECTS then click finish! All your problems should be solved after that... If you use Kazaa beware it will delete a needed .DLL file from it and you'll have to reinstall kazaa... no big deal though...

I fix computers and deal with this stuff all day long at $110 a pop... The three things you need the most are an Anti-Virus Program, a firewall, and a Spyware/Adware removal program.. If everyone had those three things I would be out of a job! Happily I am still working though...

That picture was taken about 3 years ago, HNIC

[Walter63a]

Thanks very much Nick! I'm sure that will help and it sounds easier than what I have been doing.

[Nick Iannamico]

randomly deleting files is another reason I still have a job! oh and SCANDISK/DEFRAG your drive once in awhile!!

Also if you use windows 2000/XP you should turn off the messenger service (disable it) In the control panel there is an icon called Administrative Tools.. Open that up and Click on Services.. Find the service called MESSENGER, dbl click on it and STOP it if it is running, the use the drop down bar to DISABLE it! You can do the same thing for the service called UNIVERSAL PLUG AND PLAY

Tired of crap starting as soon as you boot up your machine? Click START --> RUN type in MSCONFIG --> choose Selective Startup, then click the START UP tab -- UNCHECK everything except your firewall software, antivirus software and a few that windows needs to actually work...

DO NOT UNCHECK...

ScanRegistry
TaskMonitor
SystemTray
LoadPowerProfile

(windows 2000 does not have msconfig, however you can copy the file from an XP or 98 machine onto a floppy disk and use it on your 2000 machine..)

reboot and none of those un-needed programs will start in the background when you start windows (they are just wasting your resources and can be easily accessed from the program menu if needed)

Here is a website if you need a visual...

http://netsquirrel.com/msconfig

[Walter63a]

Thanks again Nick! I hope you are still working next week!! Regards, Walter

P.S. In the event that you missed it in my first post: what does H.N.I.C. stand for? Is that a recent mug?

[Nick Iannamico]

Head Knee Grow In Charge

[Walter63a]

?

[The1930sRust]

SIR! My Mother had a knee growth!!!

[TSMG28]

I strongly agree with all of Nick's recommendations. I do Information Security for a living, and his recommendations are spot on! A quality Anti-Virus program, a full-function personal firewall (Zone Labs has one of the best), and Spyware removal tools are a must if you touch the Internet (and your very presence on this board means you do...).

Nick, thanks for the excellent recommendations.

Roger

[TM76]

Nick/Mike and anybody else, sorry about the virus I was at work when sombody sent me
this virus at my home. it must be new cause it went from my home to Eveready Bat. Co.
on my work computer. It diden't do anything to my home/work computer and I never
open anything up or anything else that comes in on the computer that I don't know, I pay corecom
( anti-virus program ) monthley to detect virus comming in on my computer. They detected
this virus and stopped it. But for some reason it gets sent out to people I know and people I never heard of. Can you figer that one out and I don't use a E mail address
book on my computer, I never had made up one .So it must get it from history or something.
Nick, will all the anti-virus program you mention here, keep it from sending it down the line to everybody ? even if one does not open it.
To bad we couldn't take it out ( virus ) on the target range.
See Ya Tino

[Nick Iannamico]

Yes Tino they/it will..

Also if you are using outlook or outlook express it is very important that you do not view incoming messages with HTML turned on, and also turn off the preview pane if you use it!!

To view in PLAIN TEXT click OPTIONS, then TOOLS, then the SEND TAB - To turn OFF the preview "PAIN" click VIEW, then LAYOUT, then uncheck preview pane!

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[TM76]

Thanks Nick
I'll try it,not realy that great on a computer but am learning.
Wonder why it slip thrue Eveready as big a company as they
are.
See Ya
Tino

[Nick Iannamico]

I would not rely on a service to handle my virus protection... I would (do) run the anti virus software locally on your own machine... The key to its success is keeping it updated for the latest threats... (that and not opening attachments from strangers, or atleast scanning all mail)

The program from my-etrust will not even let you open a e-mail if it is infected.. your only option is to delete it, which is the best option! (oh and you can set it to auto update itself, it does it without you even knowing it, as long as you're online.)

You can actually download a 30 day full version of the software for free to test it....

Well while I am rambling on here, you can also get a FREE online virus scan from www.trendmicro.com go there and click HOUSE CALL...

As you can tell I am all about the free software that does the jobs!

[lewis505]

Thanks Nick - same thing happened to me a few hours ago!

[TommyGunner]

Here is an excellent free Virus check and Security check that I have used sucessfully on many occasions. You can use this when the bug disables the drives and you cannot load a virus checker normally. I turn off the ability for my email program to download potentiall harmfull attachments. Just my .02. Hope this helps!

Free Virus and Security Check!

Walter....Try this...have a hunch bout what may be going on with your machine. There was a Trojan that mussed the home page going around about a month ago...had to chase it out of some friends machines.

Good luck!
Damon