Viruses
- Thread starter Trixie
- Start date
J
joeychgo
Guest
RE: Viruses
Dont know --- But here is a free online virus scanner I use.
http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_frame.asp
Dont know --- But here is a free online virus scanner I use.
http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_frame.asp
GRAND_LS 400
Registered
RE: Viruses
I also have the PRO edition.. if..... hmmm.... someone might need a *cough* Copy *cough*.
I also have the PRO edition.. if..... hmmm.... someone might need a *cough* Copy *cough*.
RE: Viruses
All a firewall really does is close all the ports that are used by applications to communicate. Every function has a port that is used. Email, http everything. Firewalls close the ports that are not commonly used. Some routers (not sure about firewall programs) can restrict authorization down as far as the MAC address of your NIC. In this way no one gets in unless you specifically say so. This about the best you can hope to achieve. the rule of thumb is if your locked down the hacker /virus will look easier targets. Viruses usually require some interaction from the person being infected. Opening an email attacment or something like that. You could have an infected file on your Hard drive and the virus scanner you are using does not reckognize it (you do have a virus scanner). You could get them from a floppy or CD from somewhere else. Plenty possibilities. You need a virus program that acts in real time and is active all the time(real time protection I belive is the Term). Get a good program clean your Hard drive and any floppy's you may use. If you got a CDrom from someone your not sure about scan that too. Make sure your house is clean, then you can look outside for the problem.
All a firewall really does is close all the ports that are used by applications to communicate. Every function has a port that is used. Email, http everything. Firewalls close the ports that are not commonly used. Some routers (not sure about firewall programs) can restrict authorization down as far as the MAC address of your NIC. In this way no one gets in unless you specifically say so. This about the best you can hope to achieve. the rule of thumb is if your locked down the hacker /virus will look easier targets. Viruses usually require some interaction from the person being infected. Opening an email attacment or something like that. You could have an infected file on your Hard drive and the virus scanner you are using does not reckognize it (you do have a virus scanner). You could get them from a floppy or CD from somewhere else. Plenty possibilities. You need a virus program that acts in real time and is active all the time(real time protection I belive is the Term). Get a good program clean your Hard drive and any floppy's you may use. If you got a CDrom from someone your not sure about scan that too. Make sure your house is clean, then you can look outside for the problem.
RE: Viruses
As Kevin said - opening email attachments and installing "free" software is what I see as the primary way computers get infested.
The only perfect fix is to start over - burning just the data you need onto a CD (after checking it) then reset the hard drive partitions and formating - reinstalling the operating system - then adding in the software - then copying over the minimum amount of clean data from your fresh CD. At that point - install as good of an "industrial quality" virus protection as you can afford - and then update the protection weekly (I always recommend Friday - due to the more varied use people perform on weekends).
Most of time - the real pesky variety of virus - is sitting within a common program - and even after you clean out the result - the virus is just waiting for the next time you call up the base program. Kind of like cleaning up mouse poop and expecting the mouse to be gone.
As Kevin said - opening email attachments and installing "free" software is what I see as the primary way computers get infested.
The only perfect fix is to start over - burning just the data you need onto a CD (after checking it) then reset the hard drive partitions and formating - reinstalling the operating system - then adding in the software - then copying over the minimum amount of clean data from your fresh CD. At that point - install as good of an "industrial quality" virus protection as you can afford - and then update the protection weekly (I always recommend Friday - due to the more varied use people perform on weekends).
Most of time - the real pesky variety of virus - is sitting within a common program - and even after you clean out the result - the virus is just waiting for the next time you call up the base program. Kind of like cleaning up mouse poop and expecting the mouse to be gone.
RE: Viruses
Hmmm, interesting info. I think reformatting would be just too much of a PITA for me for now, especially since the viruses aren't coming up daily anymore.
I do have the Norton Antivirus which is always turned on, and I do get updates on viruses regularly. The other day I did have a couple viruses, but hubby had used the computer that day and he's notorious for infecting us, and I'm not sure if he has the computer set up to have the virus checker turned on. He's usually on his laptop though, so I just make sure I run a virus check after he's used my computer. ;-)
Thanks for the info, and I'll be more careful and see how this goes. I'm really hoping I don't have to reformat though - cause I'm lazy.
Hmmm, interesting info. I think reformatting would be just too much of a PITA for me for now, especially since the viruses aren't coming up daily anymore.
I do have the Norton Antivirus which is always turned on, and I do get updates on viruses regularly. The other day I did have a couple viruses, but hubby had used the computer that day and he's notorious for infecting us, and I'm not sure if he has the computer set up to have the virus checker turned on. He's usually on his laptop though, so I just make sure I run a virus check after he's used my computer. ;-)
Thanks for the info, and I'll be more careful and see how this goes. I'm really hoping I don't have to reformat though - cause I'm lazy.