virus problems

[TicklingDuo]

I was offline most of yesterday while nuking my computer. We picked up another DOS based virus. We got it through an e-mail sent to one of our sites. Fortunately, it was very immediately obvious that it was there. So, before it got passed on to our web sites (or anyone else), I wanted to get rid of it.

For those who have recently spoken of viruses that come back after wiping and reformatting windows, the techs I talked to (when this happened to us last year) said that DOS based viruses aren't picked up by the anti-virus software out there. They're geared towards windows. My brother told me about one specificly for DOS. If he ever gets around to sending me a link, I'll pass it along.

So, if you have a virus you can't get rid of, you may want to contact your computer's manufacturer to ask about getting the DL to nuke and reset your system. Most people can easily do it themselves and save the fees for taking it to a shop. It's an all-day process that you can walk away from (for most of it) and come back to. But, it's less effort in the long run than constantly wiping, reformatting and finding it back. Keep in mind that you don't want to do this without having the start-up discs to reinstall your software. Talk to a tech before you do anything.

This is another reason to constantly back things up to disc. We learned that lesson the hard way after last year's nonsense. This time, we just lost a handful of files rather than the tons of stuff we lost last year.

Hope this helps those who've been having trouble!

Ann

 

[dvnc]

Tricky stuff. Norton Antivirus scans DOS viruses, but some can't be caught while Windows is running. You can run from DOS, where it's present, by reading the docs for your antivirus.

Huh?

Oh, go here:
http://search.symantec.com/custom/us/query.html

Type DOS Virus and search

Read articles

There's tips for optimizin' this for Windows. It's more complicated there, 'cause there's a) more ways to invade the OS, and b) more programmers in the environment, hence more chance for a kid to write one to be "clever" or for a disgruntled geek to write one vindictively. Several have been ID'd as such, way back when in the dark days of the 1980s.

Do keep in mind, too, folks, that virus damage can mean needing to repair the disc. This is why Norton went into that market. They already HAD the best, back then, for disc repair. If you find a virus has been present, it's a generally good idea to check your disc, even with the tools provided in Windows where possible.

Also, for the infected, EVERY removable disc you've used since being infected should be scanned, including the CD-ROMs. Yes, products HAVE been mastered to disc with virii on them. Folks make mistakes.

There are simple steps:

1) scan disc from CD, using updated virus definitions downloaded that day.
if virus found
2) clean disc
3) scan and clean removables
4) scan new downloads before use
5) keep an antivirus installed that does email virus checks.

If it's possible with NAV, it's likely possible t'do it with other products. I'm just speakin' t'what I know.

If things get damaged in the course of infection, though, you CAN end up needing to reformat the disc. Don't be surprised if you do. Happens to lots of folks in Windows computing.

Too familiar wit' this crud,

dvnc

 

[TicklingDuo]

Oh poop! Why didn't I know this and ask you about it before I nuked??? Thanks for the feedback!

I have Norton and keep it totally up-to-date, btw.

Ann

 

[TKpervert]

eh, viruses schmiruses, big deal.
I don't run any virus checkers and I've never had a problem.
They are a waste of nnsbdc888.../ wh wddd ..33mm=

 

[TKpervert]

* grabs credit card and gets written up for speeding on the way to Fry's Electronics *

 

[TicklingDuo]

I don't run any virus checkers and I've never had a problem.
They are a waste of nnsbdc888.../ wh wddd ..33mm=

Glad to hear that. You're one of the few. I, on the other hand, seem to be a popular target for attacks. Since I don't like thinks eating my files/programs (as this one was doing) I tend to think the software is worth it.

Ann

 

[Limeoutsider]

Ive never had a virus on my comp, but my mom has had one on her comp. I guess she had MacAfee and it didnt detect the virus, because she switched to Norton and Norton said she had a virus right away.

 

[BettyBoop2002]

Thank you Ann, I got a virus a couple of weeks ago 🙁 Stay away from Kaza!🙁 I lost everything!!!!!!

 

[TicklingDuo]

Stay away from Kaza!🙁 I lost everything!!!!!!

I've been telling people that for two years. Kazaa is virus and hacker heaven...or hell, depending on which side you're on.

Ann

 

[His Divine Shadow]

Any peer to peer service is filled with all three. (Hackers, viruses, and the occasional hell)

 

[TKpervert]

I am installing Norton as I type. For real.

 

[cleopatra2003]

Oh Shit! Maybe that's why my pc has been acting weird and very slow lately! I use Kaza all the time!🙁 Ok, and I have McAfee so that isn't any good?

Ann, Q or anyone who knows computers please advise me. Thanks

Chloe🙂

 

[His Divine Shadow]

Well, Norton is always a good choice but if you want to stop the hackers, YOU NEED A FIREWALL!!!! Norton makes a good one and often bundles it with their virus software. However, if you do use a firewall, it may cause Kazaa to cease to function entirely or lose some of its functionallity.

 

[JPie1]

I live, work and swear by virus software and firewalls. My computer thank god has been kept safe (my home pc that is), my work PC with all the corporate protection and firewalls still gets hit from time to time but most of the time the virus software makes a clean sweap of it. Other times you can usually check the virus software for fixes. I have used the virus software in DOS from time to time to clean stuff out.


JPie

 

[Moses25]

Re: Virulent Problems...

I'll give you a virus, woman...*runs fer hills* 😛

I've had two so far, and probably have one or more acting upon my hard-drive at any given moment.

The first one was that "I love you" or "be my valentine" thingy that would send itself through one's own address book. Oh yeah, that's a called a worm, n'est-ce pas?

The second one, which was an actual virus, well...I don't even want to talk aboot it.

The problem is tho, I find, is that Norton AV takes up so much RAM when it's on, the cure is worse than the disease!

So, I just let it scan my incoming e-mails, nothing else. When I'm online then, it must be hacker heaven for some twisted nerds out there.

Just don't take my pics of pretty bare feet!!

Cheers.😀

P.M.S. Can a comp get SARS?

 

[JPie1]

P.M.S. Can a comp get SARS?

good one moses, I am sure someone will think of the SARS computer virus

 

[shark]

I have recently received several emails concerning the jdbgmgr.exe virus. For those who might get this,it is a HOAX. Do not delete it,as it is an actual file.
For those who might have,go to www.mcafee.com. They have a set of instructions on how to restore it,unless you can get someone to email it to you.
This one has started making the rounds again,as have a few other such email hoaxes.

 

[TicklingDuo]

Ok, and I have McAfee so that isn't any good?

Ann, Q or anyone who knows computers please advise me. Thanks

Chloe🙂

McAfee is okay. I personally prefer Norton Internet Security, though. It has the anti-virus, firewall, cookie control, parental controls, ad blocker...I think I got them all. It's very good. Just DON'T use the default settings. It's almost as bad as having nothing.

As for the problems you're having...Obviously, I'm no expert. But, if you want to give more detail, someone around here should be able to help you out.

Ann

 

[Limeoutsider]

I tend to not belive any virus warnings I get in email, unless it's not one of those things that has been forewarded a few thousand times, or if I see on yahoo news or some other news place like cnn that there is an actual virus warning.

 

[TicklingDuo]

Here's a place to check that kind of thing out...Hoax Busters They stay current on all sorts of scams going on and let you know what to do if you fall prey to any of them. I always check them when I get a warning that didn't come from Norton itself.

Ann

 

[dvnc]

Actually, one can also go to www.symantec.com to find out what's latest in virus alerts. It reports a virus even BEFORE the code's in place to address it.

Updating your virus definitions to the latest ones is also wise. Not tough to do with a simple monthly reminder. Each month, update virus defs, optimize, back up and check your disk. It's sorta like a car, that way. Preventative maintenence goes a long way. Never lost a computer's contents, due to such practices, since the 80s.

PC viruses are a drag. So many more than on other platforms, too. That's what happens when you have so many more programmers. The number of bad ones increases as the overall number does.