Viruses

[Trident-za]

Damn, this is just getting silly. :(

Some of you might have noticed that I haven't posted much lately. About 3 weeks ago, my PC was wiped out by a virus (so much for Symantec anti-virus software!) - my PC could no longer boot up. So.... format, re-install. Then I was house-sitting for a friend of mine and didn't want to run up his phone bill, so didn't use the net.

Got home tonight, connected to the net and downloaded e-mails. Only looked at 1 email message, which was from my brother telling me about the best free anti-virus tool to use until Wednesday (when I buy the "real" deal at cost from my brother). Installed it, ran the test - 3 viruses. How is this possible????

Also, in the last 3 hours that I've been connected, this tool has given me another 2 virus warnings. This is getting to the point where the internet is no longer a useful thing to have. It seems like you get a virus everytime you breath out (or in). Why doesn't somebody declare computer-virus makers as cyber-terrorists, and send in the smart-bombs/J-bombs to deal with them?

[kinghk]

Whining about viri when using Microsoft Windows is like whining about getting fat from eating all your meals at McDonalds. It's part of the game. The best way to get away from viri-trouble is to replace Windows with another operating system.

[Trident-za]

I disagree - Windows doesn't give you viruses, its the ****head assholes with a few braincells, lots of pimples and no girlfriends who are making the viruses. Blaming it on Microsoft is a convenient excuse, and somehow people absolve them of all responsibility of the chaos they create because of it. If Microsoft didn't exist, all these same people would be pouring their energy into making viruses for whatever OS was the popular one.

I don't buy your argument anymore than I buy the argument that street violence is the fault of gun manufacturers. People CHOOSE to make viruses (or commit crime). Microsoft doesnt force them into it.

So how much money do you think gets lost each year because of these viruses? You can't really blame Microsoft - no system is immune to viruses (if you don't believe me, take a few programming courses :)) The fact is - the virus makers will make viruses, because they think it's cool, and not because of any given OS.

Cyber-terrorism :( Bring on the prisons where we arrest suspects, and abuse them horribly. Then, call in gunships to blow the crap out of their neighborhoods to remove the threat. (can you tell I'm pissed off yet?)

[Jack Mehoff]

I'm using window and leave it on 24/7 with broadband. So far my computer has been virus free for years.

[Abolith]

Make sure you have all updates and security patches. then start closing off un-needed ports, sockets and services, also run a firewall. I run win 2k and I have had almost no viri in a long time, with this weekend being an exception.

I will note however that I made a new system for someone this weekend and by the time I was done downloading and installing all of the updates and patches needed I also had 4 viri on the system (including 2 different trojans). I cleaned and let it stay up and running for 2 days.. and since then no trouble. It is worth noting that an unpatched system (either 2K or XP)
WILL be infected in under 5 min of being placed on the open net. so make sure you keep up with the security updates and you should have very little trouble.

[Trident-za]

I'm using window and leave it on 24/7 with broadband. So far my computer has been virus free for years.

How are you doing this?? Man, I just have to think about turning my PC on, and... it's got a new virus.

[mobster]

www.PCpitstop.com
www.spywareinfo.com
www.PCWorld.com
www.Grisoft.com
And yeah, get a firewall.

[Jack Mehoff]

Keep your window up to date by installing new patches is very important. I also run a router with firewall, sygate pro firewall, Panda Titanium Antivirus 2004, Spybot, Adware.

[Flagg]

Jack's using some quality software

I use some other stuff......that's all free:

Zone Labs Zone Alarm firewall

Lavasoft Ad-Aware spybot killer

Google toolbar pop-up killer

AVG antivirus

But having said that, and scanning daily......I'm currently running into a problem I can't seem to solve.

When I visit some well known news sites an auto-dialer executable file tries to install on my PC...and it's consistent when I try to visit Yahoo.com, cnn.com, nyt.com

I don't get it....it can't actually download....but it's getting annoying.

And it's been happening for a week and my PC is completely clean using the software listed above with current updates.

[Romulus]

AVG www.grisoft.com



Nuff said!

[4_tune]

hi trident, get your windows and antivirus software updated, there's no use using a good software with no updates applied. :roll:

[memphiz]

I have a router :D

[Roger Rabbit]

My computer has a virus and its pissing me off. I had no problems until i installed AVG and then opened a Uni e-mail title exam results. Anyway i think AVG must have been infected or something because it kept detecting viruses that werent there and each time i try to use IE then it automatically downloads me a nice new trojan/virus. Eiter way highly annoying. I have no solution other than be careful what e-mails you open and get a pop-up blocker. Panda is quite a good virus scanner as well.

[dacanadianbomb]

Saying to change your OS because of viruses is completely retarded. Sorry, such typical Linux user behaviour that dont seem to want to realise that Linux also allows for viruses.
Patches , patches, patches, Run a firewall, a proper one, and keep those systems patched. Keep services unneeded disabled.

[Jack Mehoff]

I tried to download some files from Limewire (thanks molly747) last night and this is how much viruses and spywares I've got.


http://upload.serverseed.com/pictars3/wares1.JPG


http://upload.serverseed.com/pictars3/wares2.JPG


http://upload.serverseed.com/pictars3/wares3.JPG


http://upload.serverseed.com/pictars3/wares4.JPG

[mobster]

Dude, go to
www.SpywareInfo.com
not www.MilitaryPhotos.net.

[Jack Mehoff]

Dude, go to
www.SpywareInfo.com
not www.MilitaryPhotos.net.

Dude, calm the hell down. This is the Off Topic section. Using your own logic, all the sexy girls threads should be here www.playboy.com

[DixieDude]

I use SpySweeper and Norton and ive only had 1 problem on my computer and it wasnt even a virus - Just old fashioned technical problems.

(I have cable internet on 24/7 also).

[Helios X]

A little OT but aren't most of viruses and malware made in Europe and Asia nowdays?

[usa320]

Most of em seem to come from pissed of anti-social dweebs in Sweden...

In my years of using the internet, ive only had 2 viruses, so ive been fairly luck. Both were easy fixes too.

Im fine now- using patched XP... Adaware 6, Spybot S&D, Pop-Up blocker, Zonealarm, Norton Anti Virus, plus i have a hardware firewall on my router.

People shouldnt be blaming microsoft for not filling in every tiny little security gap. Instead they should be blaming the ****tards that spend days looking for a gap just to piss people off.