Malware/Virus Warning

Oberon · 01-07-14, 09:26 PM

Malwarebytes is a good program, I can recommend it, grab it and let it give your system a scan, it's pretty good at finding nasty stuff. The problem with viruses like the one described in the OP is, like Skybird has said, they can be very hard to fully get rid of, especially rootkits and the like, it's like a weed, you can cut the stuff above ground, but unless you pull it up by the roots, it's not going away.
Another good bit of kit is Firefox with the noscript addon installed, gives you a lot more control over what scripts run on your page, because even internet adverts can carry viruses in them now, I've been got that way a couple of times before I got noscript and Malwarebytes.
Obviously precaution is also a potent weapon, I've had a few of those Costco emails recently, but they've all fallen into my junk folder, I'll say this for Hotmail, it's got a pretty smart filter.

Kptlt. Neuerburg · 01-07-14, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Malwarebytes is a good program, I can recommend it, grab it and let it give your system a scan, it's pretty good at finding nasty stuff. The problem with viruses like the one described in the OP is, like Skybird has said, they can be very hard to fully get rid of, especially rootkits and the like, it's like a weed, you can cut the stuff above ground, but unless you pull it up by the roots, it's not going away.
Another good bit of kit is Firefox with the noscript addon installed, gives you a lot more control over what scripts run on your page, because even internet adverts can carry viruses in them now, I've been got that way a couple of times before I got noscript and Malwarebytes.
Obviously precaution is also a potent weapon, I've had a few of those Costco emails recently, but they've all fallen into my junk folder, I'll say this for Hotmail, it's got a pretty smart filter.

Yeah Malewarebytes is what I use as my main anti-virus program and I would highly recommned it, I also use the Microsoft Security Essentials cause it has found things that Malwarebytes has missed (which isn't often I might add), but better safe then sorry.

swamprat69er · 01-07-14, 11:48 PM

i use Advanced System Care Ultimate 7 for the A-V and once a week I disable that and run Ad-Aware A-V. So far everything appears as it should.

Jimbuna · 01-08-14, 06:06 AM

Spybot Search and Destroy is another useful freebie.

swamprat69er · 01-08-14, 08:03 AM

And update, update, update. If you don't update then your a-v is about as useful as a tits on a bull.

Penguin · 01-08-14, 08:55 AM

Apart from the already mentioned tips, using an email client rather than webmail adds an additional layer of security. Most clients have loading stuff from external sources turned off by default, this also prevents tracking. Furthermore you are also able to see the real domain/address of the sender.

swamprat69er · 01-08-14, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penguin

Apart from the already mentioned tips, using an email client rather than webmail adds an additional layer of security. Most clients have loading stuff from external sources turned off by default, this also prevents tracking. Furthermore you are also able to see the real domain/address of the sender.

Please tell this stupid old Canuck what the difference is between 'webmail' and an 'e-mail client'.

01-07-14, 11:48 PM	#3
swamprat69er Aceydeucy Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario,Canada Posts: 1,889 Downloads: 11 Uploads: 0	i use Advanced System Care Ultimate 7 for the A-V and once a week I disable that and run Ad-Aware A-V. So far everything appears as it should. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That which does not kill us, makes us stronger. We the willing, led by the unsure, have done so much with so little, for so long, that we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.

01-08-14, 06:06 AM	#4
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Spybot Search and Destroy is another useful freebie. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

01-08-14, 08:03 AM	#5
swamprat69er Aceydeucy Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario,Canada Posts: 1,889 Downloads: 11 Uploads: 0	And update, update, update. If you don't update then your a-v is about as useful as a tits on a bull. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That which does not kill us, makes us stronger. We the willing, led by the unsure, have done so much with so little, for so long, that we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.

01-07-14, 09:26 PM	#1
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Malwarebytes is a good program, I can recommend it, grab it and let it give your system a scan, it's pretty good at finding nasty stuff. The problem with viruses like the one described in the OP is, like Skybird has said, they can be very hard to fully get rid of, especially rootkits and the like, it's like a weed, you can cut the stuff above ground, but unless you pull it up by the roots, it's not going away. Another good bit of kit is Firefox with the noscript addon installed, gives you a lot more control over what scripts run on your page, because even internet adverts can carry viruses in them now, I've been got that way a couple of times before I got noscript and Malwarebytes. Obviously precaution is also a potent weapon, I've had a few of those Costco emails recently, but they've all fallen into my junk folder, I'll say this for Hotmail, it's got a pretty smart filter.

01-08-14, 08:55 AM	#6
Penguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Rheinische Republik Posts: 3,322 Downloads: 92 Uploads: 0	Apart from the already mentioned tips, using an email client rather than webmail adds an additional layer of security. Most clients have loading stuff from external sources turned off by default, this also prevents tracking. Furthermore you are also able to see the real domain/address of the sender.