Thread: Computer Virus Talk: Important

Warning...................The virus plague is here!

A lot of the current anti-virus programs are insufficient!

Protection is inadequate!

I will not be using attachments or links. And I'm staying away from other sites that leave files in the temporary internet file directory.

Many ISPs are blocking users because of infections.

Many users are not even aware that their computer is transmitting the virus's

Caution: Norton Anti-virus is insufficient!!!!!!

Two sources under review are:
Anti-virus at .................http://www.bitdefender.com
Privacy protection at.....http://www.lavasoft.de/

Also see: Spybot-Search and destroy.

Rgds, and be careful! :X Spaf

Hey SPAF:

Ever since my little encounter with the German language email barrage a few weeks ago, I've been using AVG Anti-Virus and I think it works better than Norton or McAfee.

It scans everything including in/out emails, attachments, etc and does an automatic update of virus definitions almost daily and automatically scans entire harddrive in the background while you work. They have a free version and a Professional Version, which has a subscription fee way cheaper than the others, especially for multiple machine licenses. You can try the free edition before committing to a purchase...try it.

www.grisoft.com

Nick

Besides my McAfee, I have been using three different ad programs: Ad-Aware SE (free edition from Lavasoft)), eTrust PestPatrol, & CounterSpy (bothfee based.) I can run all three right after each other, and at least two of them will pick up something different that the others didn't catch. I deliberately run them weekly, one is supposed to be running all the time. I dump my cookies & temp files at least once a week. But I will check out the AVG.

Spaf said: I will not be using attachments or links. And I'm staying away from other sites that leave files in the temporary internet file directory.
How do you know ahead of time which sites leave files? I know I have my Mcafee cookie blocker on, but that doesn't stop some of these Ad programs from sneaking in tracking cookies - When you say you will not be using the links or attachments, will you just use the url with the word `at' instead of the symbol @ to be able to keep sending `good stuff?'

The Smiley icon page has a bug, but it is always posted as `negligible' when it comes up in my running the infections.

Thanks dogdaddy.......Grandma!!

With a firewall, they are running about $50......That ain't too bad!

I might try running some safe links and attachments like briefings.com or some yahoo charts.

I think Mr. Norton forgot to protect all the doors in their firewall. Their program was up for renewal month after next.

Rgds Spaf


PS: Attachments are still being blocked by the ISP. So thats that!

Well, I still think it is simply this board's problem that is blocking ALL attachments. Not that you didn't have a virus problem Spaf but that doesn't explain what is happening here.
First of all, graphics and sound files such as .gif, .jpg, .mp3, .wav, etc., as well as plain text in .txt files do not become infected with viruses without an accompanying .exe or .com file which must be activated by a program. Graphic files are considered safe.
IMHO

Wonder Woman wrote:

Well, I still think it is simply this board's problem that is blocking ALL attachments. Not that you didn't have a virus problem Spaf but that doesn't explain what is happening here.
First of all, graphics and sound files such as .gif, .jpg, .mp3, .wav, etc., as well as plain text in .txt files do not become infected with viruses without an accompanying .exe or .com file which must be activated by a program. Graphic files are considered safe.
IMHO

1. Do we know what is happening here with attachments?? Really, are all attachments being blocked?

2a. Haven't delt with viruses till lately. You say they can't be in gif, jpg, txt, files! These files are safe? They can't be hidden in a picture file????

2b. But, if I downloaded "filename.exe" it could have a virus? Right!

2c. You know of a web site that can update my brain on viruses?

Rgds! :? Spaf

Yes, Spaf you have the right idea. Here are a couple of links that can keep you busy for a year on learning about viruses. After you browse thru them and decide you want more specific sites let me know. There is no end to sites about viruses.

http://meta.amfibi.com/search?q=virus&sort=rank
http://tinyurl.com/96sre > Microsoft's own site

And there are quite reputable anti-virus softwares that are available free of charge. I've been meaning to take advandtage of one of the free programs myself but haven't yet so I can't point you directly right now. You'll probably find a reference to them in the first link I posted above. If not, do a google search for "free anti-virus programs"

A word about Microsoft and graphic viruses. There are some exceptions to the general rule about graphics being safe from viruses. These exceptions have to do with specific Microsoft programs and more uncommon graphic formats like WMF, EMF, PNG. In addition, to be vulnerable one has to be using certain combinations of programs, such as MS Exchange, MSN Messenger, Media Player; however, Microsoft always has patches to overcome these vulnerabilites.

Go back to my original statement re this problem and my examples are still present > http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/forum8/1879.html

Here is copy of my statement >

Posted: Sun Jun 26th, 2005 07:44 pm
1) Look here >http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/forum11/1784.htmlWhere all of biggdog1's attached gifs use to show up and now don't.
2) Look here > http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/forum21/1667.htmlWhere Spaf couldn't attach his 'waiting cats' at the bottom of the thread.
3) Look here >http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/forum29/1851.html Where before one could download the attached zip file and now you can't.

4) I would just add one more > Pyriel's problem adding his .xls file > http://www.tsptalk.com/mb/forum28/1869.html
Posted: Wed Jun 29th, 2005 12:31 am
pyriel wrote: I tried it again and it is doing the same. I opened it with my computer just to check and it was fine. I put it in a diskette and went to another computer and again it was fine. I think something in the system here is messing it up.
Tom,,,, HELP!!!!
I'll try downloading my excel worksheet one more time...
Attachment: SAMPLE.xls(Downloaded 2 times)

An exception here appears that Tom successfully attached a graphic of his own during testing - but that's an exception.

I'm not familiar with web development so I can't comment on what's causing the problem on the board. That's up to Tom's service to figure out.

The reason some of us can continue to post graphics is because we use a different method. We do not post attachments but link our graphics to a web hosting service. I'll be glad to inform you of that process if and when you are interested.

Wonder Woman wrote:

The reason some of us can continue to post graphics is because we use a different method. We do not post attachments but link our graphics to a web hosting service. I'll be glad to inform you of that process if and when you are interested.

Thanks WW

Send me a PM on the linking process!

Also thanks Dogdaddy!

So far here is where I'm at:

Anti- Virus.......................www.grisoft.com
www.bitdefender.com

Privacy Protection...........www.Lavasoft.de/

Spyware Protection........www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

With a little maintenance my computer is so hot right now. I'm going outside to bring in the garden hose! Just in case!

Thanks guys/gals!!!!Rgds! Spaf