stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
i would post this in computers but nobody will see it there and this is very important.
there is a couple 100 spywares and strong viruses going around that can destroy your computer.
i have an anti-virus, spyware and phishware programs on my computer set to protect all the time.
well they don't.
last week i have to empty my drives(hard) and reinstall every program. took a whole day. was getting spyware pop-ups every 2 minutes. if i left my computer for five minutes i would have 6 or seven pop-up even with all the pop-up blockers on. they have found a way aroud this.
i am now runnig antispyware and antivirus every night. this morning i had 6 trojan horses and 6 spyware programs, just from yesterday.
i do not know the answer, but here is a sugestion.
if have cable isp, go to network connections, disable local area connection and this will shut off comcast or whatever to your system.
if dialup don't leave on, disconnect after use.
these programs destroyed my computer bad enough that i had to reformat and reload everything. it also gets into windows restore program . so once clean i would try to back up my computer stuff on cd.
any sugeestion beside this would be helpful. docdave
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
It may help to tell us which anti-virus and anti-spyware software you are running. Some are just plain failures at keeping malware off your system, and others are made to look like some sort of spyware cleaner, while being spyware themselves. In any event, make sure that your virus definitions are up to date.
In other news, do you have a software or hardware firewall? Many home use routers, like those designed by Linksys have a hardware firewall that will help to block incoming connections of an attacker trying to reach a trojan on your system, and software firewalls can monitor outgoing communications.
Are you using Internet Explorer as your web browser? If so, thats probably part of the problem right there. I suggest heading to www.mozilla.com and picking up Firefox. You may also want to use Thunderbird for an email client.
Make sure to run Windows Update regularly to get the security fixes necessary to keep malware from exploiting vulnerabilities in the operating system.
Posts: 691 | From East coast, USA | Registered: Jun 2006
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stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
i use freedom software through comcast. it has picked up everything in the past. it updates every 20 minutes. this is a comercial software used by big corporations. i just left my computer on for 20 minutes to go to the store and got 3 trojan viruses in my restore programs.
docdave
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Blackstone: It may help to tell us which anti-virus and anti-spyware software you are running. Some are just plain failures at keeping malware off your system, and others are made to look like some sort of spyware cleaner, while being spyware themselves. In any event, make sure that your virus definitions are up to date.
Excellent advice above, the best free antivirus at this time, in my opinion, is AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic, which although it has no dedicated email scanner, has an excellent "real-time" scanner that would catch just about any virus that might make it onto your system (no antivirus is 100% effective 100% of the time).
But, be aware that these may also find "false positives", which means that there may be misidentifications of legitimate programs or files as malicious when they really are not, so always set the programs up so that they quarantine rather than delete things they may find so that you can do research on them before allowing deletion.
quote:Originally posted by Blackstone: In other news, do you have a software or hardware firewall? Many home use routers, like those designed by Linksys have a hardware firewall that will help to block incoming connections of an attacker trying to reach a trojan on your system, and software firewalls can monitor outgoing communications.
If using XP SP2, the Windows firewall is enabled by default, so if you are using a third party software firewall, be sure that XP's firewall is disabled or you may have connection problems.
Windows firewall (along with hardware firewall if on a broadband connection), in my opinion is sufficient for most people because modern day malware is often able to bypass firewalls that monitor outgoing traffic anyway.
quote:Originally posted by Blackstone: Are you using Internet Explorer as your web browser? If so, thats probably part of the problem right there. I suggest heading to www.mozilla.com and picking up Firefox. You may also want to use Thunderbird for an email client.
Make sure to run Windows Update regularly to get the security fixes necessary to keep malware from exploiting vulnerabilities in the operating system.
Again, excellent advice above. I would add that your system must be as clean of malware as possible before installing Firefox (SeaMonkey and/or Opera) browsers and it is also important to make sure to remove old versions of the Java Runtime Environment, reboot and install the latest version as well as keeping Shockwave, Flash, Quicktime (I prefer Quicktime Alternative to Quictime) updated as there are vulnerabilities found then fixed in subsequent versions.
If you do install an alternative browser, which I highly recommend, you must also keep it/them updated.
I haven't had a single security problem or any malware found (other than testing my security programs) since I started using Gecko based browsers (Firefox, SeaMonkey) seven years ago.
posted
McAffee and Norton AV are not as good as they used to be. Even while updated I have had some malware get through on them. I had Panda Internet security once as well and that had some vulnerabilities.
Several IT guys I know have recommended PC-cillin to me. You can download from online and try for free for 30 days and purchase a subscription later or just order the CD. It includes a firewall and removes spyware. Webroot Spysweeper did not detect some of the spware that PC-Cillin did for me.
I know a guy who works for Dell and that is what he has on his puter.
-------------------- **Eat Chocolate** Posts: 942 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2005
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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Om my PC I installed- I have used these several years and am happy with them-
AVG --
Ad Aware -
Spybot Search and Distroy--
These are Free and work Real Good-
Setup to Update Automatically --
I have had them Update several times in just one day--
Include- Free- in your search term because these softwares also have payed version--
I also have a Mac and I was just getting Blank white pages that said -Done - at the bottom left of page--
All other sites worked good tho --
People that put Bugs on the net should be shot - twice --Jay--
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
spybot has a spyware program hiden in it that was picked up by my freedom software. the new version just went online and picked up all kinds of crap. you can only get this program with adelphia/comcast.
from the looks of things since everybody had the same problem, it looks like it was routed thru the lymenet website.
i have come not to trust anything and disconnect my cable internet when m not in use. there may be bugs in my isp since they just changed from adelphia to comcast. i prefer the freedom software to the comcast norton's.
just got a free copy of CA software with my new hard drive i may put this on later if i stil have problems. this is another corporate security system. also may be the only one that is updated for vista. tried to install freedom on new laptop and rejected due to vista.
do not upgrade to vista. it runs slower than xp and adds very little,lots of usless bells and whistles but no meat. it is terrible right now. it blocks so much stuff, you can't even work on the computer. it also needs 1-2 gb to run fast enough to run as fast as xp. it is a pure microsoft nightmare memory eating machine.
my next machine will without a doubt be a mac.
docdave
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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quote:Originally posted by stymielymie: spybot has a spyware program hiden in it that was picked up by my freedom software.
If you're talking about the genuine Spybot Search and Destroy anti-spyware program, this is simply not true, it is bound to have been a false positive identification as Spybot S&D is among the most trustworthy programs out there.
It may not be the most powerful anti-spyware program anymore (it was at one time), but it is a wonderful free program that many people have worked very hard to create and maintain and I do not believe it contains malware and the other program is bound to have made a misidentification of SS&D's definition database and not any real malware.
-------------------- Posts: 83 | From Oxford, MS, USA | Registered: Jan 2004
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
Today, every time I log on to lymenet I get a warning that a pop up ad was blocked. There are some nuts contaminating this space.
Just look at the new names popping up. I know we can't judge someone by that. But, some of the names are obvious like drdrdrug.
posted
if you think the names are bad, go to directory and pick the 1st choice on left hand side;
go to right hand side, click on LAST page of newbie names, post no., occupation, the web site HOME page they show, their interests, etc. you'll get your education there how many trolls are coming here daily; same ones!
DO NOT CLICK ON THEIR HOME PAGES; they are full of virus, worms, trojans said another member who checked a few out one night!
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LisaS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10581
posted
I keep getting "about blank" does anyone know how to get rid of this. Norton doesn't block it.
posted
Ok, I have no business on this thread... because I am RETIRED from this business.
But I care.
So, here are my two cents.
I spent some valuable time doing a review of what is out there and what really passes 'muster' last summer. There are free versions of stuff that are Ok, but I got tired of their flaws and decided to pay for something I really liked (after the free trial period, of course).
I found that NOD32 beats everything hands down for effectiveness with low processing overhead. I have been very happy with it. Don't know if a non-technical person would be as happy but my mom and sister are doing well with it.
But an antivirus system only isn't enough. You need a firewall too.
The firewall is what keeps stuff from sneaking in ports Windows leaves open. And also keeps malware or misbehaving software on your computer from sending information out on the internet without your permission.
I used ZoneAlarm for years when it had a decent free version. But at some point it just stopped working right with my other programs/operating systems.
I can't say I absolutely love what I am using for a firewall, but it is doing the job. I am using Outpost. As with all firewalls, it is always asking your permission for actions. This can cause confusion, but is well worth the time to figure out since it is protecting you from losing the whole computer to some malicious actor.
If you really want to protect your computer from every kind of disaster, check out SpinRite from grc.com. My sister's laptop hard drive lost boot sector data last year and SpinRite recovered everything without having to reload or restore anything. Really amazing.
Hope my two cents saves somebody grief somewhere.
Peace.
-------------------- When I lost my grip on Faith in the maze of illness, Hope gently clasped my hand and led on.
RuthRuth Posts: 478 | From California | Registered: Jan 2007
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posted
Another very, very important note: If you are currently using system restore points, turn them off! Every time a system restore point is created, the virus essentially backs itself up. Go into your control panel and disable system restore at least until you are sure you are clear of malware!
Posts: 691 | From East coast, USA | Registered: Jun 2006
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
Thanks, betty. I have been checking their profile. They certainly don't hide what their interests are.
If it looks suspicious, I email our moderators and ask them to keep an eye on the person. They can watch their activity, and I don't have to worry about it.
stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
blackstone: you hit the nail on the head. i did not think of that every morning i get another message from my antispyware and it comes from the system restore points.
should i just delete all the restore points since they are duplicaing. i just wiped my disc and reloaded. the other problem is i used compaq system recovery. when through , i expected to replace all my data files but it doesn't touch that
so maybe since i have a backup of all my data i should really reformat and reinstall everything and put the data back myself.
docdave
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
Okay all you experts,
TYPE real "SLOW" for me,,,I am so puter dense.
What "FREE" version is the best???
I HAD avg 7.1 free but it expired,,,so it said to download 7.5 free. My puter spends tons of time doing it,gets to the end and says"cant download"
I admit my puter is ancient. I admit my dial-up is VERY slow. I also know it works good enough for me. And its what I have and cant afford otherwise,,,so whats the BEST free version for me??? A link would be great,unless I can search easily for it!!
After that I understood about 1% of what was said above,flew right over the kuucoo nest!!
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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Boomerang
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7979
posted
Most definitely.......avoid going to the pages of some of these newbies.
I noticed one that had one spelling on their name on lymenet.......but when you went to their supposed homepage, the name was spelled differently. You'd think they would at least get that right. I dunno.
I just hate that this stuff is happening, when people come on here needing real help. It's a shame to have to be careful, but guess we do.
Take care all.
Posts: 1366 | From Southeast | Registered: Sep 2005
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Boomerang
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7979
posted
Blackstone, I was using mozilla as my browser, and doing good......but then MSN Explorer started giving me terrible problems. I just got that fixed....kind of.
You think I should go ahead and use Mozilla as my browser? You think it's better than IE?
THanks for any advice.
Posts: 1366 | From Southeast | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
After a certain point of a windows computer being compromised by viruses, bacteria, err, I mean spyware!, and a mangled registry, you really DO need to re-install windows. Don't install it overtop of the existing windows directory either, you have to delete the windows folder. Ar I would I could re-install myself and start off clean!
The best anti-virus for windows HANDS DOWN in my experience has been NOD32. It isn't a memory hog and works great. Norton is junk, so is macafee(sp?) (also in my opinion).
For firewall, if you have a router it should have a hardware firewall built into it, that's usually sufficient. If not I don't know, you could either use the built in windows firewall (which is probalby junk) or zone alarm which might be slightly better.
I run linux myself, and fortunately never get spyware or viruses anymore. I haven't ran windows on my computer in years. I do still help people with windows computers all the time tho.
-------------------- "You know, the worst, meanest, nastiest, ticks in the world are politicks," - Steve Nostrum Posts: 242 | From South NJ | Registered: Dec 2006
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breathwork
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 567
posted
I use a Mac...
I have never had a virus or spyware...
I can't imagine having to do all that you all are suggesting..it would be exhausting and my lyme brain wouldn't be able to remember what I had done and hadn't done to keep my computer safe.
I've used Macs since 1991...I'll stick with them.
Posts: 1062 | From CA USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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But for those of us stuck with windows machines, it is essential (in my book) to stop using Internet Explorer (bad) and start using Mozilla Firefox (good) for your browser. It is safer security-wise.
Good call about the restore points.
I find repairing windows computer problems very stressful. Not good for my healing process!
But I have helped a couple of people get their "terrible/old/slow" computers with dial-up to run pretty quick again. How? By removing all the extra programs they don't use and cleaning up the registry with a registry fix type program. (BUT IT IS TEDIOUS and POSSIBLY DANGEROUS!)
Just some thoughts from my experience.
-------------------- When I lost my grip on Faith in the maze of illness, Hope gently clasped my hand and led on.
RuthRuth Posts: 478 | From California | Registered: Jan 2007
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
I tried to download the AVG7.5 again today...I thought it was going well and was about 75% done when my dial up booted me and had to redial. SO if I want to start over,,,
I think it said at the rate it was going that it would take 5 hours and some minutes to finish,,,my dialup expires every hour or two,,,so I can never get done.
Once I was so tired of constant redials so set something inside for longer time before getting time booted. Seems like it conflicted with something else cause it caused it to be worse,,,not better. Then other times it would stay on all night,,,and the minute I would start using it again,,,whammo,it times out. GRRRRRRRR,,,puters!!!!
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
don, do you have any friends w/kids at home or those SMART GRANDKIDS INTO COMPUTERS?
perhaps they could look at your pc and determine what to do to speed up dialup and a LONGER TIME BEFORE YOU ARE BOOTED OFF! best suggestion i have!
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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Hi All
Just don-- you can get High speed conection from ATT for $15 a month-- its worth every penny--
Downloads take seconds- not hours - new pages take 1 second -
If you have a regular phone line it is likely that you can get the ATT DSL -
AOL also has a similar offer-
FireFox is the Only Way to go- works good -secure and Free --
Loose Internet Explorer - IE was rated the #1 security flaw on the net by the government--
I am Sure the Bug is on the LN system -
I had the Porn Filter(Virus) pop up 2 days ago on LN -- I was looking on some user info pages -
I just read that Mac has 40 known viruses floating around--
Windows PC have over 20,000 known viruses-- Ouch --
I have a Mac using FireFox -
When time comes to get a new computer -- Do yourself a favor and get a Mac-
People that put Bugs on the net should be shot -- Twice --Jay-
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Boomerang
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7979
posted
The porn filter thing popped up again tonight when I first tried to access this site. Grrr!
Posts: 1366 | From Southeast | Registered: Sep 2005
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breathwork
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 567
posted
From my lyme brain knowledge base, Mac viruses are all realted to Microsoft software products on the Mac...Go figure...
So if we use Firefox, Safari, Mail, and the Apple word processing programs we should be just fine..for now.
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