Virus/Internet help


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Old 10-26-11, 06:16 AM
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Virus/Internet help

Hi all,
We have been having an issue with our PC sending out random e-mails a couple times over a month period. We have internet through are cable provider which offers a virus/security package which we have installed. We ran a full scan of the system and found about a couple high level threats which were quaratined and then deleted. It seems now that when we go to a webpage particularily ones with video if you click on the link it is just a blank screen. Any ideas why removing threats would cause issues with the PC. It seemed to have run better before the scan. Thanks
 
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Old 10-26-11, 06:34 AM
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What anti-virus program did you use?

Have you checked to see if you have the lastest Flash version?
 
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Old 10-26-11, 07:10 AM
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We first ran Malware bytes which found some threats a couple weeks ago but everything was fine afetr that. Then another e-mail was sent out so we ran CA security which is offered by Time Warner Cable. This found a few high level threats and trojans. Once we ran this a couple days ago we saw the issue. on the flash issue, some of the sites we used to go to that worked now say you have to install an upgraded version of flash to run, howeverm, when you click on download the latest version that comes up, it won't download as it says the latest version is already installed. Maybe I need to uninstall and re-install this software. IS flash used for videos and stuff to?
 
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Old 10-26-11, 07:21 AM
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We see a lot of display problems in the office with Flash and Java not being the current version. In your case, yes, I would uninstall and reinstall Flash.
 
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Old 10-26-11, 07:32 AM
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IS flash used for videos and stuff to?
That is the primary original purpose of flash.

Since Windows is the only operating system that is susceptible to viruses and malware have you considered using an OS other then Windows? Just a thought.
 
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Old 10-28-11, 09:46 AM
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Hello,
We maintain a Home Office and always used professional versions of Norton or McAfee and Spyware Doctor. Then about three years ago we got a virus which none of those programs could fully irradicate. Never came across such..

Anyhow, I downloaded Avast anitvirus along with Malwarebytes and then Microsoft Security Essentials. Those programs immediately and fully removed all traces of the virus.

We still use the free version of Avast but have the paid version of Malwarebytes for real-time protection. I really liked Security Essentials, especially since nobody knows their software better than Microsoft, but it can be a drag on system resources.

You may want to try those programs. Also do you have your computer set to receive automatic updates as Flash and Java will do so? Sometimes, you do run into quirks and must re-install or update irrespective.

Good luck
 
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Old 10-28-11, 11:16 AM
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All is well now, all I needed to do was unisnstall the security software the cable company ( ISP provider) provided. For some reason it was wreaking havoc on my system. I ran a full scan with it and got rid of the threats and then things didn't work properly. I couldn't send e-mail and when I went to a webpage some links would work and some wouldn't . As soon as I uninstalled everthything worked. I downloaded to Microsoft security and all has been fine.
 
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Old 10-28-11, 02:54 PM
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Jcraft, why Microsoft security???? Windows is vulnerable, Microsoft makes Windows, so don't you think their "security" would be vulnerable, too. I don't even like to use IE as a browser. Firefox works so much better. As mentioned, Avast is free and works great. Good luck with the Microsoft product.
 
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Old 10-28-11, 03:57 PM
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I use AVG for my virus/malware security but everything I have read concerning the free Microsoft Security package has been positive. Many years ago, when I had Internet service through my cable TV service, I attempted to download the offered security package and it so corrupted my hard drive nothing but a total wipe and re-install would work. I've never again considered a security package offered by an ISP.

I also suggest that you be wary of the "toolbars" than many free programs want you to install.
 
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Old 10-28-11, 06:14 PM
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Well, a lot to note here.

First of all while Windows is the most insecure OS, (technical note, it isn't so much that Windows is so insecure, it is that it is the most widely used and therefore the most targeted) it is not the only OS that can get viruses. There are viruses that are designed to attack Mac systems as well as ones designed to attack Linux systems. (How do you think mainframes were infected when they ran UNIX?) As a Linux/Windows user, I prefer Linux for general usage; however, there are still some things that Windows is better for. Computer gaming is an good example of this. The main reason Windows is the easiest to design attacks for is that just about any user can modify the registry and system directories. This means that very low access is required to damage the system. Linux is designed where you must have administrative access granted, either temporarily or fully to make system wide modifications. Therefore, you must convince the user to elevate their access level before any real damage can be done. While on Windows (the UAC helps with this but not enough) the user simply needs to click a button, or in older versions the user doesn't need to do anything for the system to be modified.

Second, for the most part ISP provided Antivirus software is bloated beyond compare. What this means is that it uses far more system resources than is generally needed to protect a system. This is also why Norton and MaCafee are getting to be very bad. It doesn't necessarily mean they are not doing their job, they are just trying to be to flashy about it. This is where free and open source security softwares are flourishing. The developers aren't trying to win an aesthetics award with their software, they are just trying to get the job done. Avast, Comodo (full security suite), AVG, and Clam all do a decent job of this. I have not used Microsoft Security Essentials yet, but I am willing to try it for two reasons, one it is free, and two it is made by the same company as the OS. While Chandler made a decent point, it should also be noted that wouldn't it make sense for them to know the attacks on their OS better than anyone else? I have actually read that the latest version of IE is actually more secure than either Chrome or Firefox (don't remember which one the article said). Microsoft is getting better, (or at least they were until I checked out the Dev preview for Windows 8) than they used to be, but they are still too wide spread to be a truly safe OS.

Lastly one thing to keep in mind, any OS can be made rock solid and impenetrable, the problem with that is, the more locked down a system is, the more hoops a user has to jump through to accomplish their tasks. This is where the balance comes into play. You must find your own Zen level of security. If you have a decent level of knowledge and surf safely, then minimal security is required regardless of OS. On the other hand, if you feel the need to click on every advertisement you see on a website, or do not know much about how the system you are using works, then you need more security to essentially protect yourself, from yourself. The weakest link in any security level is the user. Whether technical elite, or barely can find the power button, the user must be exploited in some way to allow malicious activity to enter the system. Not trying to be rude to anyone, this is just how the system works. A computer connected to the internet behind a basic firewall will not become infected with a virus unless the user is enticed to let it in. The most effective reigning ways to accomplish this are still porn and pirated content.

Hope this helps...

~Spike
 
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Old 10-29-11, 12:01 AM
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Spikester you are so right clicking on ads can cause problems and I try to avoid using them although occasionally I have to admit I have clicked on some ads not too long ago. You are also right in saying that we should stay away from unsavory websites if we want to stay away from trojan horses or other malware that can harm our computers. I think too that some innocent looking website links that even friends or family might send should be avoided as sometimes as has already been stated our e-mail accounts can be hijacked. As to Microsoft Security Essentials I recommend it highly and if you have a Windows 7 computer hope you avoid AVG as it caused my Windows 7 computer to freeze up. Not sure why but my usb keyboard and mouse both froze. Microsoft is aware of the issue though so hopefully that problem is solved by now. I know when I took AVG off of my Windows 7 computer and installed Microsoft Security Essentials though my problem was solved. Also not a good idea is having too many antivirus programs on your computer at once it can cause real headaches with all kinds of conflicts.
 
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Old 10-29-11, 03:07 PM
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Post Microsoft?

Bill's boys think they are good, but they don't know their software well enough to not allow exploited holes to exist.

Microsoft has been know to release operating systems with known issues. They do this to make their promise dates.

Every time a new Microsoft OS is released there are "security updates" Why would they do this if their product was supposed to be ready for shipment?

I use it because of the monopoly they have on the world, and all the programs I use are Windows based.

A good friend of mine is a software developer and writes solely in Java. I wish the others would follow suit.
 
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Old 10-29-11, 03:34 PM
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I certainly agree with you K-oki Microsoft could be better about how they program their operating system and you are right again they have a monoply but one in which if it was pulled apart a great deal of things would come crashing down on us. Maybe someday a company will come along that will be a real challenge to Microsoft. I think in all fairness though that they are trying to improve and they are just now starting to listen to the consumer more and that helps everyone.
 
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Old 10-29-11, 06:57 PM
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It is generally a good idea to only have one antivirus. Having other utilities such as malware bytes that you occasionally run is great. Only one resident shield that actively monitors should be running at one time though.

As for the 'security update' thing, Linux does this as well. Any OS will eventually have a bug that can be exploited. There are way too many lines of code, and way too many different people working on projects to ever create a perfect OS. Once you add all the software people use, you will eventually have an exploit appear. Typically though, it is relatively harmless unless you invite something into your system that can capitalize on this exploit. The crutch Windows has for this is its 'black tuesday' policy. Which is the day Microsoft releases updates. Linux, it can happen as soon as an issue is found and fixed.

~Spike
 
 

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