Update Your Virus Definitions!!!!!!

[Excaliber]

The virus WAS on my computer (it has since been removed).

HOW EVER!!! Using the technique (as Ron descrided above) I was NOT ABLE to delete the virus!!!

I could NOT delete shimgapi.dll or Taskmon.exe as the files were IN USE by Windows. Norton Antivirus (after I downloaded the latest virus definition) DID find it, but was UNABLE to delete any of the files.

All though I was able to delete the "Start Up" line in the registry it was RE-CREATED when I re-booted.

I would NOT assume all can or will be able to delete this virus at this time!

So how did I get rid of it? I use a second hard drive that occasionaly I use to "mirror" my main drive. I simple swapped my C drive for my D drive (changed the cables) and then was able to delete the files on what was the old C drive (now D). Done in about 15 minutes.

For the rest of you, Good Luck!

Ernie

[computerworks]

Next time... when there are files that you have to delete, but cannot because they "are in use"...
...restart your computer in the "Safe Mode" and then delete the files.

(Start in Safe mode by rebooting system and repeatedly hitting the F8 key before the Win screen to invoke the Start-Up Menu, then choose "Safe Mode")

[mrmustang]

Ernie,

See the following Removal-How To to remove it safely from your system.


Bill S.

[Wayne Maybury]

I received an e-mail yesterday from a sender that I did not recognize. It had an attachment but no message in the e-mail itself. Since I didn't know the sender, I didn't open it. I am very happy since it is 22 Kb, the title of the e-mail was "Hi" and the attachment has a .zip extension.

Am I safe to simply delete the e-mail then go in the deleted box ands delete it again?

I had a couple of viruses 2 years ago, I do not want any more problems. I use McAffee Anti Virus which I updated today.

Wayne

[computerworks]

yes..just delete the mesage and empty the deleted items folder..
..as long as you don't open the attachment, you are safe.

[STG]

Ron,

Thanks for keeping everybody up to date on this latest computer security issue. I update and run Norton Anti Virus everyday and so far, this worm hasn't gotten me.

I find it interesting that people keep opening e-mail from unknown sources. If you use a program like Mail Washer, you can take a look at your e-mail BEFORE you download it to your computer. If you don't recognize the sender, or the message looks weird, JUST DELETE IT.

Excaliber is on the right track. My desktop has three rack mounted removable hard drives. I use one and clone (disk image) alternately to the other two. The only time the second or third drives are in the machine (one at a time, only) is during back up.

By mirroring my hard drive using Norton Ghost everyday, I have 2 complete backups of my entire system. All I have to do is pull drive C: out of the computer and slide in one of the back ups. No digging for data files or reinstalling programs. I'm up and running 30 seconds after a disaster.

For me, this has been the best way to back up as it is easy (so I actually do it), and complete.

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by Turk


TURK

POP-UPS: If you are already using Google Tool bar (hopefully downloaded directly from Google website) it has a Pop Up blocking feature that is 100% effective, [/b]

OK Turk, I deleted the temporary pop-up software that I had and downloaded the Google Tool bar and, in the last 15 minutes, I've had three pop-ups for larger fuller erections, two for financial services, and one for hot sexy housewifes in my area that want to meet me. Is there something special I need to do to the tool bar to get it to actually stop the pop-ups?

And I guess I'll get Norton's.

[mrmustang]

Chaplin,


Get Nortons Internet Security (bundled with Nortons Anit Virus 2004), it will stop the pop ups dead (unless you configure a site to allow them). Same goes for anti virus protection. As long as you check for updates every few days (it does it automatically once a week), you'll be in good shape...........


Bill S.

[Chaplin]

Thanks Bill. Stupid question, can I purchase that software on-line and just download it or do I have to purchase a hard disc at a store?

[RACER X #99]

Chaplin,

Can you send me the link to the hot sexy housewifes?


cranky

[mrmustang]

http://www.symantec.com/

Originally posted by Chaplin


Thanks Bill. Stupid question, can I purchase that software on-line and just download it or do I have to purchase a hard disc at a store?

[Turk]

Chaplin,
Download it from http://toolbar.google.com/

As you install it, it will give you two choices. Select . "Enable Advance features"
Then when the tool bas is installed and running you can click on "POP UP BLOCKER" from the Options button that will be on top of your browser page.

It works great. Heck of a search engine too.

TURK

[Chaplin]

Cranky- If I give you the link for the housewives, then you'll probably need the one for the erections too!

Thanks Bill.

Turk, don't know what happened, but it has just started working- blocked over 200 pop-ups in the last 2 hours FYI- when I downloaded it from google, I opted not to use the "advanced features" b/c it said that they keep a log of all of the sites you visit. I know it's possible for people to do that anyway, but why should I send it directly to them? At any rate, its working now, thanks!

[rdorman]

So far, so good. First thing I did was run live update for Norton. I bought the 2003 version just a couple of months ago, figures spyware is a 2004 feature.

I then downloaded the three programs that Ron recomended: AdAware, Spybot and Coll Web Shredder.

AdAware found two programs running: Timesink and Gator. It also found 245 items that it took care of!

Next I ran SpyBot. It found 15 more.

Next I went to un-zip Cool Web Shredder. It complained about TSAD.DLL not being found. SpyBot recovered it for me. After it was unzipped it was looking for another DLL to start. That DLL is part of VB version 6. Downloaded and installed from Microsoft and it came right up. It did not find any additional problems.

THANKS RON!

Rick

[Wayne Maybury]

How about we all get together, find these $#@%&$%# that put these viruses out there, then we place our hands firmly around their necks,,,,,,, on a second thought maybe we should just update our anti virus systems on a regular basis. These punks really make me mad since I use my computer 90% of the time for work so I really need it.

2 years ago my computer was infected with 2 or 3 viruses and/or worms at the same time. What a mess, it took 2 weeks of messing around for countless hours to get rid of this stuff and to get everything working again. I am very careful now. I update my Anti Virus system a minimum of once a week and I NEVER OPEN AN ATTACHMENT if I am not absolutely sure what it is.

Wayne

[Excaliber]

You know I'm very surprised I opened the attachment that had the virus. I can't recall now what it was, but it did peak my curiousity. I thought I was being "slick" and could "check it out" without actually being infected if it was a virus.

In fact, I thought I had successfully determined that it was a virus and deleted it before it could "latch on". WRONG!!! It got me!! I was playing with fire, knew it and STILL got burned! It tricked me because it looked so "techy" and I had just HAD to check it out!

Ernie

EDIT: F8 and Safe Mode, DOH....... Thanks Ron. Hey it's hard to think clearly when your freaking out! I pulled the plug on my C drive when I started to "panic"!

[Roscoe]

By the way, I use Speakeasy as my isp. The provide free virus stripping of emails. Speakeasy catches about 90% of the viruses and McAfee gets the rest. They caught the new worm before Symantec had the update.

[bittentoo]

I had an e-mail from "petek" show up on my home computer last night. I deleated it without opening it.

I figure that our petek has been hit with the virus

[rdorman]

I downloaded the Google toolbar just for the he!! of it. It installed on windows explorer. Problem is, I never use windows explorer. I always use the flavor from SBC or Netscape. Any way to get it to install there?
Thanks
Rick

[computerworks]

Originally posted by rdorman


...Netscape. Any way to get it to install there?

Unfortunately, the Google toolbar only works in MSIE; plus, the pop-up blocker feature requires MSIE Ver. 5.5 or later.