***virus***

[MathGirl]

I had two items in my mailbox this AM from unknown sources. Both contained .pif files attached. Both were infected with a "SoBig" virus. Don't open anything like that.
Prudently
MG

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Thanks for the warning!

What does this virus do?

 

[MathGirl]

Thanks for the warningWhat does this virus do?

Hiya Svenska, you Swi.. Swedish cutie,
I don't know what that virus does, and I'm sure not going to use my computer to find out.
MG
Ps. I don't open ANY attached files unless I know what they are.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

This one's pretty harmless, though...

 

[sailorm72003]

This one's pretty harmless, though...

I am continually amazed at the number of people who delete critical system files when instructed to do so in emails from official looking sources.

I'm not sure why I am always surprised, but I guess it seems as if by now people would be more clued in.

Sailor

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Well, MOST people don't know the difference between Udshadow.8bf and u32Fpx.fio...

How can people be "more clued in", if they've never been taught about these things?

We're not BORN with this knowledge...

 

[gauchecritic]

That's because we don't know what system critical files are.

The best advice regarding hoaxes of this kind is; If the mail doesn't also inform you of a website like McAffee or Norton which will describe and tell you how to rid yourself then just delete the mail.

Gauche

 

[sailorm72003]

Well, MOST people don't know the difference between Udshadow.8bf and u32Fpx.fio...

How can people be "more clued in", if they've never been taught about these things?

We're not BORN with this knowledge...

True. What I was driving at, is that I keep expecting most people to know by now that the only legit source for a virus notice, prevention steps, etc. is from a software vendor such as McAfee or Norton, and if they receive an unsolicited email regarding a "new virus", they should do a reality check first.

Sailor

 

[gauchecritic]

SNAP

 

[Guest]

... they should do a reality check first.

Sailor, if you're still talking to me, where oh where can I get the "reality check" software?

Perdita

 

[sailorm72003]

Sailor, if you're still talking to me, where oh where can I get the "reality check" software?

Perdita

If only I knew~!

Im too busy deleting files from that there email to add new software

 

[MathGirl]

Dear Sailor,
My browser offers me the option of scanning anything in the mailbox with Norton stuff. I did so and it told me about the virus. Don't take my word for it, though. Go ahead and open it and let us know what happens. It may take a week or so to get your system restored, but we can wait.
MG

 

[sailorm72003]

Dear Sailor,
My browser offers me the option of scanning anything in the mailbox with Norton stuff. I did so and it told me about the virus. Don't take my word for it, though. Go ahead and open it and let us know what happens. It may take a week or so to get your system restored, but we can wait.
MG

Wont have to wait for me, I've been using mcafee since '92; no infections (viral or bacterial) allowed

Sailor

 

[MathGirl]

Wont have to wait for me, I've been using mcafee since '92; no infections (viral or bacterial) allowed

Just wait until you get a yeast infection.
MG

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Is that what puts a bun in your oven, MG?

 

[MathGirl]

VIRI STILL COMING

I just got six more EMails with attached files. I checked one of them and it had the "SoBig" virus. I assume the others did, too.
MG

 

[Lauren Hynde]

This one's pretty harmless, though...

It uses the same type of technology as this one. Be careful!

 

[jfinn]

I've found that whenever I have questions on any virus or worm I can usually find the answer at Snopes.com . You can either browse their virus section or use the search feature to find a specific problem. They not only explain what the thing does, but how it's spread and even give links to sources for clean up.

They also have pages of listings of all those other fun things we get in our email (computer scams, rumors, urban legends etc) and let you know if they're legit or not.

Jayne

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Lauren:

Precisely!

 

[Quasimodem]

Doesn't anybody else have a proactive Internet Provider?

My IPs usually emails me what to avoid opening. It then informs me with a link to where Microsoft has a patch. Finally, it informs me when THEY have installed a method of stopping the problem (in case someone hasn’t been paying attention).

The first time I heard about the msblast worm was a “Critical Mail” warning from my IPs, a week before anything made the newspapers.

They linked to the Microsoft Update for the security patch to keep the bugger out. Finally, because traffic on Microsoft was so tough, they downloaded the patch to the Member Services Site, so members could get a copy more easily.

They have also deployed a SPAM BLOCKER (150+ items a day on my Addy) which holds them in limbo, until I can pick the one or two real emails that got caught up with them, and flush the rest.

I pay two dollars a month more than I would for Simpatico, but I find this, and their 24-hour tech line well worth it.

 

[MathGirl]

Quaz the spendthrift

I pay two dollars a month more than I would for Simpatico, but I find this, and their 24-hour tech line well worth it.

Dear Quaz,
TWO DOLLARS A MONTH??????? My god, do you realize what I could do with two dollars a month? Oh, it may seem like small change to rich bastards like you who just throw your money around, but it's a FORTUNE to the likes of me. I DREAM of having two dollars a month to spend like a drunken sailor.

I could caulk up some of the cracks in my refrigerator crate. I could take the bus four times instead of hitch hiking. I could get a pint of Night Train. I could get a real knife for cutting out cardboard inserts for my shoes. I could go halfsies on a pack of smokes. Just the thought of having two dollars a month to carelessly fritter away makes me giddy.

When you mention money here, please remember that there are those of us who don't even have a flat screen monitor.
MG

 

[The_old_man]

What's a "flat-screen monitor"?

 

[MathGirl]

What's a "flat-screen monitor"?

See? I told you so. Damned moneybags always talking about how much cash they have. Two dollars a month, my chapped behind!
MG

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Re: Quaz the spendthrift

TWO DOLLARS A MONTH??????? My god, do you realize what I could do with two dollars a month? Oh, it may seem like small change to rich bastards like you who just throw your money around, but it's a FORTUNE to the likes of me. I DREAM of having two dollars a month to spend like a drunken sailor.

OK, my English is failing me here - what's a "fortune"???

 

[DVS]

Well, MOST people don't know the difference between Udshadow.8bf and u32Fpx.fio...

How can people be "more clued in", if they've never been taught about these things?

We're not BORN with this knowledge...

Svenskaflicka, this message is not to you, personally, so don't think I am ranting at you. But, this is to anyone who is lacking in this area. LOL, sorry, if you are lacking, too.

Well, you learned to safely drive a car and navigate the roads and Interstate hiways, didn't you? Well, at least most of us did. Why is it any different to learn to safely work a computer and navigate the Internet and email hiways?

When you don't take the time to learn what these high risk viruses do, and your computer gets infected by a virus or worm, your computer then becomes a vehicle driving the virus to other computers.

Hackers and virus creaters are here to stay. Microsoft is never going to fix every hole in their operating systems, so it will always be up to the end user to get the fix. As with the law of the land, egnorance is no excuse. What you don't do can affect us all.

Check McAfee or Norton web sites for high risk viruses. Subscribe to one for information on such viruses, when they evolve. Mostly, keep your anti virus data files updated!

And, be aware of what is out there. MathGirl did the right thing. This virus is rated a high risk. It steals personal information and then goes to your friend's computers and steals theirs.

OK, all you subbies who need some computer training...
LINE UP!