Virus, my friends!

Eva: I have two friends currently that have this virus. Yeah, it’s totally automated–it goes through the infected user’s buddy list sending out links to go to this cool “picture.com,” but instead, its a COM app that d/ls itself onto your computer and starts propagating itself. I almost caught it myself; fortunately I was using Firefox, which automatically warns you before downloading these files.

Simply put: Internet Explorer sucks.

IE also warns you before downloading .com and .exe files. That is, if you run Windows Update, which you really should.

For those who think they’re infected, here’s a <A HREF=“http://www.rpgclassics.com/staff/mrsaturn/pccillin.zip”>free version of Trend Micro’s PC-cillin</A> that they used to distribute on their website. They’ve since replaced it with <A HREF=“http://housecall.trendmicro.com/”>Housecall</A>, which requires you to be online, but the older version works offline, so I kept it. I think I have the most up-to-date virus definitions with it, but they might be a week or two old. I suggest everyone who isn’t 100% certain that they’re virus free go ahead and download it and run it (preferably in safe mode).

I got a more annoying version of this where it would first send it to everyone on my list. Then a few seconds later they would ALL send it back to me. I had 40 different windows popping up all over my screen.

For the version I got it would only send me the message with a link when that person went offline.

It seems to have run it’s course through MSN users. I cleaned my comp up and no one else is sending me these messages.

Oh, yeah, that thing. I was at my friends house and he got the link on his AIM. It came up as an MDOS so we thought it was a one time thing, but when I signed on my account later that day on his comp, it did it again on mine. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Windows update is evil! At least don’t get service pack 2, it slowed down the my computer so that it took maybe 5 to 7 minutes to turn on and be okay to open programs and whatnot, also took that long to shut down. Finally my dad contacted Dell and thats what the tech person said to do was to remove service pack 2 and reinstall the OS. The computer runs so nice now, takes like 30 seconds to turn off and on; it doesn’t get frozen up as much as it used to either.

Yeah. I got SP2. it’s a fucking resource hog. It stole about 4 gigs of space that I had previously had free, and uses all of my memory.

Side note: The computer in question is actually my brother’s. I’m an Apple guy, myself.

I work on peoples computers for a job and I strongly discourage the use of it.

I work on people’s computers for a living and I highly suggest installing SP2. I also suggest having at least 256-512 MB of memory on your computer if you’re running Windows XP. If you have that much memory, SP2 isn’t a resource hog, in fact, you won’t even notice it. What’s more, SP2 prevents most of the viruses/spyware that’s causing such a problem these days. I’ve never had a customer bring their computer back to me, except for the one guy who refused to let me install SP2, ironically enough, it was loaded with spyware again.

I don’t know why everyone thinks windows update is evil. Microsoft isn’t out to kill you, and if they were, you’re already using their operating system, so you might as well just bend over and take it.

I only have 240 MB RAM on my brother’s laptop, so maybe that’s why XP is such a goddamned resource hog.

Windows XP really isn’t usable without SP2. Listen to Mr. Saturn and Microsoft and install it now. If it slows your computer down, buy a new one, upgrade your current, install Linux, or disconnect it from the Internet: anything to spare the rest of from that insecure virus spreading mish-mush.

Best tip is to get rid of Internet Explorer and get FireFox.

I haven’t used IE for some time, but last time I did, I had spyware all over my computer.
It was hell.

Now the computer works dandy for me. Windows XP hasn’t crashed once!
A computer have never worked this great for me.

Thank you. And, if you’re not tech-savvy enough to use Linux, at least jump over to Windows 2000. Seriously, though, no computer these days should have less than 256 MB of RAM. If you have less than that, it’s time to at least consider upgrading.

And Firefox, while good, isn’t the salvation everyone says it is. Now spyware authors are actually developing Firefox specific spyware. Firefox is going to be just as bogged down as IE pretty soon. Any popular Windows based software is a target for virus and spyware authors, thus the attack on AIM. The more people that download Firefox and sing its praises, the sooner it is until it’s just as unhealthy as IE.

Instead of trying to outrun the problem, fight it head on. Use some anti-virus software (Trend Micro makes the best free stuff, see my previous post), use some anti-spyware stuff (I keep Giant/MS Antispyware running in the background, and use KazaaBegone, CWShredder, Ad-Aware, Spybot, and HijackThis whenever I’m concerned that I might have an infection), and keep your computer from getting infected in the first place. If you’re not using this kind of stuff, you’re just asking for an infection.

[edit, reply to Cless]

I agree, I tend to lean toward 512 MB, but WinXP SP2 will run under 256 MB of RAM, just a bit slowly. And I wouldn’t reccommend Win98SE to anyone anymore. The final Windows Updates for Windows 98 SE (or Me) don’t really protect you from more recent spyware/virus threats, and the software itself is simply too buggy, even with all of its updates, to be worth using compared to the much more secure Win2K or WinXP.

256MB is on the low end.

If you have 256MB you shouldn’t even be using XP and you might as well use 98SE or 2K or something.

Anti Spyware? http://www.lavasoft.com

Fucking bastards.

Yes, I swore. Big freaking deal

Sp2 didn’t slow down my computer, It was more the fact that it annoyed the hell out of me. I use internet explorer and the changes in it annoyed me. I do windows updates all of the time but I just didn’t like sp2.

What changes didn’t you like? The pop-up blocker? The firewall? seriously, the only changes made to IE in SP2 were positive ones.

And I did mention Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware, but I wouldn’t rely on it 100%.

Mr. Saturn, you’re right that FireFox may not be too secure sooner or later, but as for the moment, FireFox works fine. Besides, FireFox is open source, so all kinds of programmers around the world can come with solutions to Mozilla on how to keep it safe.

It’s always worked quite well for me, but I’ll consider trying an additional program, if you advise it. I suppose the only way to be perfectly safe is to disconnect the network cable, eh? :frowning:

And Murray, in response to your statement, I’ll repeat my earlier comment toward those who make spyware/adware/viruses.

…er, just imagine I did, ok? I’d rather not swear again.

Mr.Saturn makes a good point. Don’t just rely solely on one piece of anti-spyware/anti-virus software. Have at least 2 or 3 programs to sweep your computer with once a week, if not more. Personally, I use Ad-aware, S&D, and Norton Systemworks.

Its ok, we’ve still got <a href=“http://lynx.browser.org/”>lynx</a>.