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Computer @#$% Viruses

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Fri, 07/22/2011 - 14:39
Lizzy_B's picture
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Computer @#$% Viruses

Time for Lizzy to be salty again.

I was working away Wednesday afternoon, when all of the sudden, my laptop went haywire. The culprit seemed to be fake antivirus malware - "Win 7 Antivirus 2012" pops up. Obviously fake, but the stupid thing closed Security Essentials, rendered my system restore powerless, and wouldn't let me access the web.

I hate computer viruses, and I'm normally super careful, so I have NO idea how I ended up with this one.

So that's where I've been for a day or two, trying to sort it out. I should be able to with a little work, but what a pain in the neck. I think there's a special place in the afterlife for computer virus engineers, who cause anguish, not to mention the cost in time loss, especially for those of us who rely on our computers to work from home.

Any other virus horror stories out there? And I realize this can be a contentious line of conversation between Mac and PC folks. So let's try and be nice. Smile I'm annoyed enough as it is, hahaha.

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Fri, 07/22/2011 - 14:54
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Try the free download from avast

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Fri, 07/22/2011 - 14:57
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Thanks! I'll look it up. I was waiting for a system sweep tool from my BIL. He's mailing me a CD from GA because my three attempts to make one for myself on my old laptop have all failed.

It's been a rough couple of days.

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Fri, 07/22/2011 - 15:03
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No bueno!! I know how much you rely on your computer..it stinks!!

I agree with you..those virus programers have a space right next to Hitler in the afterlife. Ok, well maybe they aren't THAT extreme.

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Fri, 07/22/2011 - 15:20
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I had one a couple years back that made it so I could get into the computer at all. I had to throw the hard drive into an external compartment and clean wipe it from there. It was nuts. People who make these things are jerks! mad

But here is a good story. Not virus related... but funny. When my Dad and I got our first computer. You know... the one with DOS Shell and Windows 3.1 and stuff... lol. It asked us would you like to reformat? Not knowing at the time what that was... we thought... Oh sure! Its been a lot of Yes answers, so this is obviously yes! So we hit yes... and then it just shut down. We had no reason why that happened. Took it to the computer store the next day and told them the problem, and they just laughed at us. We basically wiped out our whole hard drive and had NOTHING on it... lol

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Fri, 07/22/2011 - 15:30
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Here is an ignorant computer person question---do Macs not get viruses as much? Is that why people tend to love them more?

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Fri, 07/22/2011 - 15:46
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Bella wrote:
Here is an ignorant computer person question---do Macs not get viruses as much? Is that why people tend to love them more?

They do. Its just the mass majority use PC's in work and home while Mac when it comes to work is more artsy type with sound recording... graphic design and such. Banks and social security numbers are more fun to grab and mess up... lol

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Fri, 07/22/2011 - 16:36
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I am NOT a computer person other than using it BUT my computer repairman reccomended that I should try a program called "WEBROOT" as a virus and anti malware program, in fact he even loaded a trial version on my puter and when I saw how good it worked, I bought their most expensive version for a three year subscription. It is MUCH better then one of your more well known programs that a lot of people use (one that I had when my puter was infected).
PS if you like your anti-virus program stick with it.

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Fri, 07/22/2011 - 16:47
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the number of viruses are dependant on teh amrket share of that system
Right now Mac has 12% f the market share so they have 13% of virus out there.

As well all ISP's are supporting a bill so that if you do not have an up to date or even any av program that your systemwill be shut down and not allowed online.

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Fri, 07/22/2011 - 18:09
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My Toshiba laptop in college got some virus that would make it randomly shut off when I was in the middle of working on projects and papers so I feel your pain Lizzy! There were quite a few times I almost threw it out the window I was so frustrated!

Sat, 07/23/2011 - 00:46
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Thanks for the co-misery, great facts, and a few laughs! That was exactly what I was looking for Smile As I sit here typing on my old Dell, looking at my beautiful, for-the-time-being-useless Toshiba on the dresser over there, I'm thankful I still have one that's operational.

Car Just - I'm looking at Avast if the system sweeper CD that BIL is sending my doesn't work.

Thanks again. It's good to know I can come here and whine a little, and get some action steps, a pat on the back, and a funny story or two.

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Sat, 07/23/2011 - 12:55
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JustCar wrote:
the number of viruses are dependant on teh amrket share of that system
Right now Mac has 12% f the market share so they have 13% of virus out there.

As well all ISP's are supporting a bill so that if you do not have an up to date or even any av program that your systemwill be shut down and not allowed online.

A couple of months ago I was trying to update my AV program and somehow deleted it. I couldn't get online. I called iYogi and they were able to fix my issue (for a fee, of course) and I was back in business.

I don't know a lot about Macs but I've read they don't get viruses since most viruses are windows based.

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Sat, 07/23/2011 - 13:40
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Use Malwarebytes anti-malware (Malwarebytes.org). It a good program for cleaning viruses and the free version is good. I've seen that virus many times before and it is not that hard to remove. You can also Google it and there will be many sites that will walk you thru step by step to remove it.

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Sat, 07/23/2011 - 16:13
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kormelmer wrote:
Use Malwarebytes anti-malware (Malwarebytes.org). It a good program for cleaning viruses and the free version is good. I've seen that virus many times before and it is not that hard to remove. You can also Google it and there will be many sites that will walk you thru step by step to remove it.

Thanks! That's Plan B if I can't get the system sweep tool to work. I was researching it last night, and it doesn't seem too hard, just time consuming, since I've never done it before.

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Sat, 07/23/2011 - 19:19
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we actually did a collaboration with Microtrend and wrote our own for our customers so I would say Housecalls is pretty snazzy as well

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Sat, 07/23/2011 - 20:10
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As a strange coincidence, just as I clicked on this thread my AVG anti virus popped up and told me I may have a virus. but it does say false alarm, and then says its in the dell support file which I have never opened. I'm a bit confused now actually?!?

Sat, 07/23/2011 - 20:27
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Just quarantine it.

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Sat, 07/23/2011 - 20:52
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It wont let me. It only has the option to ignore it. Im gonna assume its nothing and re run a scan tomorrow and see if it comes up again. Smile

Sat, 07/23/2011 - 21:16
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Microtrend Housecall does an online scan that is pretty tight, you can run that.

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Sat, 07/23/2011 - 21:23
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Thanks i will give it a go. awesome

Sat, 07/23/2011 - 21:27
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Cheers,

Shoot me a pm if you need any help

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Sun, 07/24/2011 - 21:51
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For the record, I muchlove salty Lizzy....

Tue, 07/26/2011 - 22:45
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Thought id throw this in here. Something I just read... lol

http://www.bgr.com/2011/07/26/apple-laptops-can-be-hacked-to-self-destruct-flaw-to-be-detailed-by-hacker-next-month/

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Tue, 07/26/2011 - 22:49
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Mase wrote:
Thought id throw this in here. Something I just read... lol

http://www.bgr.com/2011/07/26/apple-laptops-can-be-hacked-to-self-destruct-flaw-to-be-detailed-by-hacker-next-month/

That's built in so that you have to buy a new one every year.

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Tue, 07/26/2011 - 23:35
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kormelmer wrote:
Mase wrote:
Thought id throw this in here. Something I just read... lol

http://www.bgr.com/2011/07/26/apple-laptops-can-be-hacked-to-self-destruct-flaw-to-be-detailed-by-hacker-next-month/

That's built in so that you have to buy a new one every year.

rolling rolling rolling rolling rolling

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[url='http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/pick-mases-dinner-disney']- My Interactive Trip Report '11[/url]

Wed, 07/27/2011 - 12:09
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the default password is your root pasword, same as ever.

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Wed, 07/27/2011 - 12:12
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Wouldn't the answer to that be to just change the password?

Wed, 07/27/2011 - 12:14
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Exactly
the root password is like a registry password and not readily available to regular users.

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Thu, 07/28/2011 - 11:59
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JeffC wrote:
For the record, I muchlove salty Lizzy....

So glad for acceptance and love! Hearts back muchlove

So, update: The MS Standalone System Sweeper seems to have done the trick. I ran it, then ran another full scan when I got the laptop functioning again. BIL has recommended another program that I need to install which should catch whatever program #1 doesn't.

Jo - I hope everything got straightened out! Ah, how annoying. I still can't figure out where mine came from. I was actually doing research online at the time the laptop went haywire.

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Sat, 04/07/2012 - 00:10
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Okay bumping this one up , BECUASE I HATE COMPUTER VIRUS'S. Been working on scrappy's work computer all day. Got a web page redirect virus & all the files on the hard drive are hidden now.

gaah gaah gaah gaah

Need Bourbon!

Sat, 04/07/2012 - 13:07
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Ah, Mr. H! That sucks. I'm so sorry! I hope you get it worked out soon. Best of luck Smile

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