Author Topic: "60 Minutes" and the VIRUS warning! April 1st is the day it is supposed to stri (Read 3212 times)

Jerry · « **on:** March 30, 2009, 07:48:59 AM »

It sounded pretty scary. My son-in-law gave me these tips. I am sure SEAN can advise us how to protect ourselves. Of course advice is welcome form ALL!

Here is what Bill said"

1. Run a complete scan.

2.Start, run, MRT.

3.Run Wimdows update.

4. to use Microsoft removal tool, go to www.sarc.com

5. Keep your anti virus software constantly updated.

Bill is not a computer whiz, but this surely can't hurt. Yor in put please.

Kittyzee · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2009, 09:58:03 AM »

I actually went out and bought anti virus protection after I had a complete system breakdown due to a virus attack a few weeks ago. It scans in the wee hours of the morning EVERY DAY and it updates every HOUR. I even emailed Sean about it trying to block AP, but I changed a filter on it and I haven't had any problems. (Thanks Sean!

)

The trouble with free anti-virus and forms of Microsoft versions that aren't registered is that you don't get the updates that you need. This virus also disables the ability to receive necessary security updates and then your computer is toast. They totally had to reload my entire operating system, but I didn't lose any of my files or pics. Lucky for me I had loaded my pictures to a remote website instead of just storing them in my computer.

All you can do is protect yourself and keep your fingers crossed that your security system can handle it. Get an antivirus program that also protects against website infections.

That's my two cents worth!!

Sean · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2009, 11:32:05 AM »

If you are concerned, just don't turn on your computer that day. Get out of the house or watch a movie.

Cheers,
Sean

tranquility · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2009, 12:47:36 PM »

Quote from: Sean on March 30, 2009, 11:32:05 AM

If you are concerned, just don't turn on your computer that day. Get out of the house or watch a movie.

Cheers,
Sean

Sean thats my plan...I'm gonna unplug the puter and hide my head in a hole(probably a lot of holes April 1st is usually the day I start putting out plants)

....Seems to work for me

....
Lawanna

bunny56lbc · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2009, 01:25:11 PM »

Quote from: tranquility on March 30, 2009, 12:47:36 PM

Quote from: Sean on March 30, 2009, 11:32:05 AM
If you are concerned, just don't turn on your computer that day. Get out of the house or watch a movie.

Cheers,
Sean
Sean thats my plan...I'm gonna unplug the puter and hide my head in a hole(probably a lot of holes April 1st is usually the day I start putting out plants) ....Seems to work for me ....
Lawanna

YUP , me too !
bonnie

Esther · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2009, 05:05:31 PM »

What are you talking about? I'm supposed to not fire up this thing on the first?

Kittyzee · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2009, 06:05:44 PM »

I like your advice Sean! I'm going to a very large garden center on Wednesday--ALL DAY LONG!!!

fishlipsmcgee · « **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2009, 06:13:14 PM »

I'm not turning my computer on. I don't want to take the chance and have to deal with the consequences. My internet provider (AT&T) has protection and they told me that everything is scanned before it goes through the connection to me, plus I use AOL and they have built in antivirus protection but somehow I got a couple of bad files.

My antivirus software scan found 2 trojan files the other day. I was shocked!

Previous scan results have always been 0 infected files found so I got a little lazy about the scans. I got a pop up the other day that I think fooled me. It was an AOL instant messenger screen and instead of just closing it I hit the "block" button as I didn't know who this person was and I never use messenger. I'm wondering if it was a fake screen and I unknowingly opened a file I shouldn't have. I honestly can't imagine how these files got through. I deleted the bad files that my antivirus software quarentined and all virus scans are good now, but I'm paranoid about how long these files were on my computer, what they did before I discovered and deleted them and if any personal info was obtained.

If you don't have antivirus software get it and run those scans on a regular basis. I changed my automatic settings to scan every day now.

Jerry · « **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2009, 07:45:46 PM »

I EXPECT IMPOTANT DOCUMENTS TOMORROW.`

I will ask them to Fax it.

casey · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2009, 12:25:04 AM »

"I EXPECT IMPOTANT DOCUMENTS TOMORROW."

Impotent Documents? Are those ones that won't stand up in court, Jerry?

Jerry · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2009, 08:49:47 AM »

I found them on my own. I need it for taxes. Just escrow closing statement.
It is a 1033 !

LeeAnne151 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2009, 12:18:48 PM »

My Avast free antivirus updates every single day and scans every night. I'm not worried....

mascot · « **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2009, 01:52:57 PM »

From Yahoo Tech:

"What won't work? Turning your PC off tonight and back on on April 2 will not protect you from the worm (sorry to the dozens of people who wrote me asking if this would do the trick). Temporarily disconnecting your computer from the web won't help if the malware is already on your machine -- it will simply activate once you connect again. Changing the date on your PC will likely have no helpful effect, either. "

Jerry · « **Reply #13 on:** March 31, 2009, 02:01:53 PM »

Avast here too my lovelies!

tlc · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2009, 03:34:16 PM »

I found this about the visus for anyone interested:
http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1238443907751.shtm

EDIT: I should have added this one too. You guys may have already seen this:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29975229/wid/11915829?GT1=40006

marla · « **Reply #15 on:** March 31, 2009, 08:51:14 PM »

I got a nasty virus already once this year and don't need another, even with antivirus it snuck in and I had to crash the computer and do a restore.
Even if you don't turn on your computer tomorrow, that doesn't mean you may not get it. If you have any one of the "Conficker" worms and there are numerous ones you could be at risk any time after April 1st, it still could get activated. I've done a scan, I think I'm up to date, it's been impossible to get on the Microsoft site to get the protection patch so I'm going to lockdown my firewall and when I get home from work tomorrow try to get the patch again, but I'm hoping I'm protected....even put all my pictures on a flashdrive tonight....don't want to go through a crash and restore again.

Jerry · « **Reply #16 on:** March 31, 2009, 10:00:32 PM »

I only have half of Avast. Does that make me half ast?

jw · « **Reply #17 on:** April 01, 2009, 10:10:16 AM »

I get a newsletter from Kim Komando and she had this in there yesterday:

I would also sign up with OpenDNS. This is a free service that makes for faster surfing. (DNS stands for domain name service (or server or system). These servers translate names like www.komando.com to Web addresses, like 66.210.246.140.) So, we already use it. I have a link to OpenDNS.

But OpenDNS also teamed with Kaspersky (a Russian security company) against Conficker. It blocks every Web address Conficker uses online. So, if you have Conficker, it couldn't connect online. I'd install OpenDNS pronto. If you already have OpenDNS, you're set.

One other thing: I remember sitting up New Year's Eve, waiting for the Y2K bug. I think I started with Australia. Nothing ever happened. So, you might not want to hold a Conficker party. The whole thing could be anticlimactic.

To get open dns go to:

http://www.opendns.com/

fishlipsmcgee · « **Reply #18 on:** April 01, 2009, 12:28:57 PM »

So far, so good. Anyone having any problems or has your antivirus software detected the virus? Just to be safe I backed up everything last night and made sure microsoft & antivirus was up to date.

Sean · « **Reply #19 on:** April 01, 2009, 01:44:25 PM »

I have scanned both of my computers and there are no viruses here. In order for Conficker to affect your computer, you need to have already had it on your computer. AVG Free will detect this file if it is on your computer.

Cheers,
Sean

Jerry · « **Reply #20 on:** April 01, 2009, 02:18:21 PM »

ALL well here too.

PondmaninAL · « **Reply #21 on:** April 01, 2009, 07:38:41 PM »

The biggest and most popular April Fool's joke is to cry "wolf." The cry was made and a lot of people listened.

Jerry · « **Reply #22 on:** April 01, 2009, 10:03:24 PM »

Scott. it was the lead story on 60 minutes. It does command attention

PondmaninAL · « **Reply #23 on:** April 02, 2009, 07:52:51 PM »

Quote from: Jerry on April 01, 2009, 10:03:24 PM

Scott. it was the lead story on 60 minutes. It does command attention

Yes, I know but nothing happened, did it? I've become a skeptic when it comes to them things. Software companies benefit from it though. Think of me as a Conspiracy Theorist.

Esther · « **Reply #24 on:** April 03, 2009, 10:51:00 PM »

I wouldn't say that nothing happened. I just haven't heard anybody tell of a problem. So I don't know.