Be Careful.....New Computer Virus

[buggybuilder]

Was on this forum yesterday and thought I should go to Youtube and check a few things out. Clicked on Youtube and WHAM!! A blue screen came up and said I have a virus, and it locked everything up. They gave me a phone number on the screen to call to remedy this situation. DON'T !!! I called my computer man and he said it is a scam.

To get rid of it is simple. Just hold the power button down on your computer for 10-15 seconds and it in most cased will unlock and virus will go away. (He said if you clicked on anything or followed the scammers directions, this will not work.)

By the way, this was called the Koobface virus.

[bangerjim]

Did you ever hear of a little thing called a....VIRUS SCANNER?!?!?!? I use Norton 360 and it catches anything and everthing like that.

And I never go to unknown links to stupid youtube or any other site. Never open attachments form unknown people. Never go to unknown sites. Norton even tells me if a site is trusted or unsecured if I click on it.

And Norton updates all new virus definitions automatically and sometimes a few times a day.

You get what you pay for.

banger

[shooter93]

Virus protection is a must have for sure but even it will miss sometimes. Recently Norton missed one for me and it took awhile but I finally found it and eliminated it. Don't click on anything you aren't pretty sure of.

[bangerjim]

Right. My rule is 80% vurus programs 20% common sense. They cannot catch everything. Good common sense on the net and email will save you...........big time! I have too many friends with "help me, Jim!" pleas because they clicked on that email attachment and/or did not have good virus scanners running on-board.

Good is strong. But evil most times is far more devious!


bangerjim

[tomme boy]

I have not had anything for virus protection for years. I download vids and watch youtube ALL the TIME. Knock on wood I have never got anything.

Can't stand how slow the virus protection make the computers.

[bangerjim]

I run N360 on multiple machines and is does not slow anything down at all. I have modern up-to-date uber-fast comptuers. If you have a old clunker, modern virus scanners can and will slow it down.

All computers we run have SSHD's and run fast......boot from cold to operational with Win7 and 10 in 15 seconds or less. And with max fast RAM. N360 just does it's thing in the background and never slows anything or anybody down or ever gets in the way.

There are free-ware *** virus programs out there, but I have never trusted anything that is free. There is always a catch somewhere. The key is if they update automatically and frequently to keep ahead of the all the new viruses, worms, trojans, and other carp out there just waiting to snare you!!!!! And you will eventually get hit & have to pay the piper!!!!! Trust me.

banger

[WILCO]

Did you ever hear of a little thing called a....VIRUS SCANNER?!?!?!?

Give us a break Jim. The guy just wanted to share some information. He's not an idiot deserving a keyboard lashing. I get tired of all the condescending posts that make it in the forums. Rant over.

Thanks for the headsup Buggybuilder.

[Nose Dive]

Roger dat WILCO... Buggybuilder... try MALWAREBYTES.... keeps me safe now for 8 or so years...

Nose Dive.

Cheap, Fast, Good. Kinldy pick two.

[leadman]

I use Malwarebytes also, works well and price is good. Get the full version you pay for.

[pcolapaddler]

Been in the business for a while. Went without a/v protection on personal machines for a while some years back with no issues. I have used Symantec, McAfee and others over the years personally and professionally.

Antivirus is like homeland security, it has to be right every time while the bad guys only need to be right once to cause damage. Nothing is right every time.

Combo of good a/v and anti malware like malware bytes will generally keep you in good shape.

If you usually only do web stuff and email and not a lot of documents, spreadsheets, etc. A Chromebook is a good option. Inexpensive, decently fast and little, if any, virus worries. I have two in addition to many traditional PCs; I use the Chromebooks a lot.

[DerekP Houston]

I run N360 on multiple machines and is does not slow anything down at all. I have modern up-to-date uber-fast comptuers. If you have a old clunker, modern virus scanners can and will slow it down.

All computers we run have SSHD's and run fast......boot from cold to operational with Win7 and 10 in 15 seconds or less. And with max fast RAM. N360 just does it's thing in the background and never slows anything or anybody down or ever gets in the way.

There are free-ware *** virus programs out there, but I have never trusted anything that is free. There is always a catch somewhere. The key is if they update automatically and frequently to keep ahead of the all the new viruses, worms, trojans, and other carp out there just waiting to snare you!!!!! And you will eventually get hit & have to pay the piper!!!!! Trust me.

banger

Heh I call anti-virus programs the biggest drain on system resources. Everything here is NVME/ssd based and run in a VM. Easier to stay safe if it's all in a sandbox environment. Windows 10 does not boot anywhere near as fast as win 7 =P.

[fryboy]

The dreaded blue screen of death ...has been tweaked by those with ill intent since it's release into the wild ( world wide Web ) in this case almost into a form of ransomware
Somewhat depends also on browser ( and it's current vulnerabilities )
Never ever click on pop up's and any link should be copied pasted to make sure it goes where it says before hitting enter
Some free versions are worthy, with the paid version of the same usually being superior, sad part is is that there are so many ( couple of the better ones ..spybot search and destroy and superantispyware )
Most never consider them but many apps have undesirable traits
Even worse even using what some deem the best AND good web practices one can still get got now and again ( backups can save your umm backside ;) )

[w5pv]

Try a Linux Based program they are not as subjective to viruses as other programs

[NavyVet1959]

Try a Linux Based program they are not as subjective to viruses as other programs

And if you really want to be secure, set up a machine based on a Linux version that boots from CD. Every time you reboot, you get a clean system. It's a good use for an older system that just runs too slow with current anti-virus software on it. I recently did that with an old 500M memory laptop for my reloading "shack" and it was quite a bit faster than the version of XP that had previously been on the machine.

[Pine Baron]

Roger dat WILCO... Buggybuilder... try MALWAREBYTES.... keeps me safe now for 8 or so years...

Nose Dive.

Cheap, Fast, Good. Kinldy pick two.

+1 for Malwarebytes. Many times caught stuff that Norton missed.

[bangerjim]

Give us a break Jim. The guy just wanted to share some information. He's not an idiot deserving a keyboard lashing. I get tired of all the condescending posts that make it in the forums. Rant over.

Thanks for the headsup Buggybuilder.

So when did you develop thin skin? I was not lashing at anyone. Nothing condescending meant at all. You obviously have good vision to read all that between the lines I wrote.

Just made the comment he should be using a good virus scanner. I shared my over 15 years of experience with Norton products and what I have had excellent success running - - if he or anyone else needs to look into programs to protect their stuff. Just trying to help someone avoid the headaches some of my business partners and friend have been thru in the past. It is not fun or easy to remove many of these infections that are floating freely around the net today. And it helps to know what people are running for computers, as there are many generations of older running hardware still out there.

banger

[richhodg66]

It WAS very condescending and it seems to be a pattern with you and most of your replies. Starts with a similar statement to the one Wilco mentioned and then you go into a lengthy dissertation about how YOU do whatever it is the OP talked about and how your way is perfect and nobody else's way is any good at all. I've noticed it quite a few times to things you reply to and if you get all butt hurt because someone called you out on it, I'd say you're the one who's thin skinned.

And for those of us who don't know it all like you, I do appreciate a heads up like Buggybuilder gave everybody and if it didn't apply to me, I'd either ignore it or thank him for his good intentions.

[trapper9260]

I use Avast that is free and Malwarebytes, also you can go to
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/malicious-software-removal-tool-details.aspx
It will take care alot of that is out there. I know there is more malware out there then any thing else.That is give problems.It works for me .

[bangerjim]

It WAS very condescending and it seems to be a pattern with you and most of your replies. Starts with a similar statement to the one Wilco mentioned and then you go into a lengthy dissertation about how YOU do whatever it is the OP talked about and how your way is perfect and nobody else's way is any good at all. I've noticed it quite a few times to things you reply to and if you get all butt hurt because someone called you out on it, I'd say you're the one who's thin skinned.

And for those of us who don't know it all like you, I do appreciate a heads up like Buggybuilder gave everybody and if it didn't apply to me, I'd either ignore it or thank him for his good intentions.

People seem to read so much into posts on this place these days. Sad.

My replies are honest and to the point, hoping to help others avoid pitfalls and offer my knowledge base. And that base is wide in many venues.

Sorry you do not understand where I come from, but most understand what I say.

I post facts not BS.

[dragon813gt]

People seem to read so much into posts on this place these days. Sad.

My replies are honest and to the point, hoping to help others avoid pitfalls and offer my knowledge base. And that base is wide in many venues.

Sorry you do not understand where I come from, but most understand what I say.

I post facts not BS.

Ever notice how often people point out the fact that you come off high and mighty in every post. I know I've called you out on it a few times. So have many other members. Yes, it's written word and it's hard to infer tone. But many people see problems w/ how you post. It's the same pattern every time.

Norton is a memory hog and I doubt any large companies use it. I know the one I work for doesn't. Regardless of what you say, it slows your computer down. So do most antivirus programs. It's just a matter of how much they slow it down.

And that last sentence is quite laughable. I will leave it at that.

[ShooterAZ]

It WAS very condescending and it seems to be a pattern with you and most of your replies. Starts with a similar statement to the one Wilco mentioned and then you go into a lengthy dissertation about how YOU do whatever it is the OP talked about and how your way is perfect and nobody else's way is any good at all. I've noticed it quite a few times to things you reply to and if you get all butt hurt because someone called you out on it, I'd say you're the one who's thin skinned.

And for those of us who don't know it all like you, I do appreciate a heads up like Buggybuilder gave everybody and if it didn't apply to me, I'd either ignore it or thank him for his good intentions.

Sadly, I agree 100% with you. It's getting old.

[ShooterAZ]

Ever notice how often people point out the fact that you come off high and mighty in every post. I know I've called you out on it a few times. So have many other members. Yes, it's written word and it's hard to infer tone. But many people see problems w/ how you post. It's the same pattern every time.

Norton is a memory hog and I doubt any large companies use it. I know the one I work for doesn't. Regardless of what you say, it slows your computer down. So do most antivirus programs. It's just a matter of how much they slow it down.

And that last sentence is quite laughable. I will leave it at that.

I agree with you too! Jim do us a favor and try to "Treat others as you would like to be treated". It goes a long, long way. Your condescending comments are probably unintentional, but still are.

[Prospector Howard]

Yep, sadly I have to agree also. It seems like it's a lot of the same stuff over and over and over again like a broken record. If you all don't do it like him, you're all a bunch of idiots is the way it comes across. And if you call him out on anything, you'll be threatened with being put on his large and EVER EXPANDING ignore list. LOL. I hope I'm on it. I personally know two former contributing members who have told me they won't come back as long as he's here.

[Garyshome]

Hit control+alt+delete open task manager select the culprit [in aps] and close it. works for me.

[NavyVet1959]

Hit control+alt+delete open task manager select the culprit [in aps] and close it. works for me.

Some things do not show up in the task manager... Some things don't show up in a recognizeable manner...

[buggybuilder]

Sorry !!!

[RugerFan]

Sorry !!!

Nothing to be sorry about. Thanks for the heads up.

[richhodg66]

Sorry !!!

Please don't be. I'm still pretty ignorant of all tech things and a heads up is appreciated.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

I received an e-mail from a friend of over 45 years and when I opened it the blue screen showed up. I couldn't delete it so I turned the power off and on and the blue screen disappeared. Worked for me.

[Smoke4320]

Viruses can range from the simple .. turn computer off and back on, to hard drive wiping total headaches to ransomware

[NavyVet1959]

I received an e-mail from a friend of over 45 years and when I opened it the blue screen showed up. I couldn't delete it so I turned the power off and on and the blue screen disappeared. Worked for me.

Sometimes, emails like that don't actually come from the person that you know, but rather were harvested from someone else that your friend knows. Although we would like to be able to say, "You're an idiot and you sent me a virus", many times it is just someone he communicated with whose computer was infected and that system spoofed his email address to make it look like it was coming from him. Back in my day, it took a certain level of expertise to be able to create a virus and by the time you had that level, you had enough invested in the profession that you would not even think about doing it. These days, we have "script kiddies" and they have tools that allow them to have no knowledge of the underlying machine architecture or operating system and still cause problems. At the very least, virus writers should receive a good public caning. Maybe that would add a bit of discretion to these punks.

[Ballistics in Scotland]

A protection like the current Norton 360 can stop near enough everything to be well worth having. But it will only stop it after it has done harm to someone, and after it has been reported to Norton. I think those are where the gaps lie, and they aren't numerous or long-lived nowadays. Viruses are less virulent than they used to be, too. A virus meaning you system defunct and all your data lost forever is pretty rare nowadays.

You can get lucky and take no noticeable harm in years from intrusions. But that may be because your service provider is doing some of the work - and they are less dependable than the specialist software firms. You may also be handing out a lot of free marketing information on your interests, and so may friends you share documents and downloads with. That can make you about as helpful as a retriever on a hand-grenade range.

[barrabruce]

I love my Linux systems and have for at least 15yrs.
Although i till need a loan of me wife's windows every now and again when something won't run in wine.
But I'm only a home user and do very little real work on them these days.

something like puppy Linux on a old clunker really does get them wiz zing along for this sort of work.

[chevyiron420]

Yesterday I was on line with a very old laptop we call broke neck, cause the lid has to be propped up. I usually run a small OS from CD, but had just finished installing Lubuntu 14.04 Linux on the drive. I entered "youtube" in the search bar and clicked on the result. Bang, it got me. The only thing it can do is tie up my Firefox. I pulled the power cord and popped out the battery. After re-starting I told firefox not to restore the tabs, then cleared the history and cash. Virus protection is not normally required with Linux, and its free! This virus is like the moneypak virus and designed to get people to call the number so they can get money from them. I wasnt clicking on unknown links or sites. It came right off Google search.

[Ken in Iowa]

Was on this forum yesterday and thought I should go to Youtube and check a few things out. Clicked on Youtube and WHAM!! A blue screen came up and said I have a virus, and it locked everything up. They gave me a phone number on the screen to call to remedy this situation. DON'T !!! I called my computer man and he said it is a scam.

To get rid of it is simple. Just hold the power button down on your computer for 10-15 seconds and it in most cased will unlock and virus will go away. (He said if you clicked on anything or followed the scammers directions, this will not work.)

By the way, this was called the Koobface virus.

Good info, thanks for posting.

We found a lot of issues like these coming through advertisements not directly hosted from the core site. News sites were a popular source of these type of exploits as they would rotate ads through 3rd parties.

One of the new or 'zero day' viruses that I discovered would not execute it's payload until exactly one hour after infection. This made it difficult to determine the source - a church website that had been hacked.