My home computer was attacked by a virus, maybe an accumulation of several, and I gave up trying to fix it myself. Local computer guy had to wipe it clean and start over. I was surfing medical sites and one of them was a fake, even though it was on page one of a Google search.
Lesson one, don't think it's safe because Google found it.
The virus presented itself as an anti-virus program, only it wasn't one I had. Looked like Microsoft with the multi-colored shield. It showed multiple viruses I was "infected with" then offered to get rid of them all if I purchased the 2012 program. That screen would not go away, no matter what or where I tried to take the computer. I finally reset the computer backwards to a couple days earlier, but the damage was done.
Lesson 2, the offer to fix the viruses was made by the **%$@*!ing idiots that gave me the virus. Do NOT buy their program (I didn't) as it will not resolve the problem.
Lesson 3, if a window pops up on your screen you didn't expect, don't click on it, not even the small x in the corner to close it. Clicking anywhere in the window may cause a download. Hit control/alt/delete to bring up the task manager and have it close the programs. (this didn't happen to me but was a tip the computer guy gave me)
Lesson 4, have backups. My backup was only a month old, but trying to find the CDs with some of those programs I've had forever can be a challenge.

Please add comments of things you have learned that might help the next unsuspecting person.

 

One additional comment. I had to reload Mozilla and every time they update it they change something that makes it difficult to get your bookmarks or mailboxes etc back. I'm looking for an alternate for emails that won't be so difficult. What's out there besides Outlook and Thunderbird that you have had experience with, and like?
Thank you.

(the emails must not be on the Providers server after I download them, and address book must be on my computer, not providers. Those are my requirements. )

 

That virus has been around for many, many years. The only thing that changes is they update the year, ie 2012 version. I had it infect my machine about five years ago and it had been around a long time even then. It cost me about $80, as I recall, for a shop to clean it and reconstruct all my files/data. They said the virus was created by persons in Russia. One has to wonder how much money they make off the program. The shop said if you send them the money they do clear it off your machine but it then will re-appear in say 6 months and they offer to fix it again, if you send then more.

 

Sorry to hear this, Dean. That virus got my work computer one day. Sometimes it's already in the system for a while and then it starts with the pop ups. Setting the computer back won't clean it up if that's the case.

The folks who come up with the stuff truly annoy me. They cost so many people so much time and money I do wonder what the heck they get out of it.

I use Thunderbird email, so I have no suggestions for you in that area.

 

Yes I've had that one try me too. I caught it quick.

I'd put an alert on my cc with my credit cards company security team. Might save you some hassles down the road if you card info gets in the wrong places.

fltsfshr

 

Flts, they never got my credit card number, I didn't bite on their ruse. Anyone can look through the contents of my computer and won't find anything of interest or financially rewarding to anyone else.

Does anybody have experience with Eudora? I found three others I've never heard of- Incredimail, Pagasus and The Bat. Don't know squat about any of them.

 

Have had my blood pressure raised by email clients on more than one occasion over the years (especially Microsofts). I've always used more than one email program, and one of them has always been Pegasus. It has been around forever. User interface might not be as glitzy as Outlook or Outlook Express, but it is full featured. Was designed by and is maintained by an Australian named David Harris, and has been around since 1989. Definitely worth looking into. Eudora is one that I purchased years ago, but never implemented, but it too has been around for a while.

 

Check out System Restore (Start/Help and Support). This Windows feature can be most helpful if you spot an infection reasonably quickly. Also, I believe it can be accessed while in "safe mode", which can be helpful if a virus has basically hijacked your PC.

 

I heard that Apple computers are not subject to these hackers but do not know for sure. Our machine is getting old and if we upgrade I would like to find out. Anyone know for sure?

 

For the most part yes the Apple OS's are immune. They're basically UNIX with a GUI for a shell. Most hackers won't bother since it's so much easier to hack Windows operating systems.

I've had success removing these fake AVs at work but it's not easy and if you're not comfortable editing the registry you probably shouldn't bother to try. At the least you'll need a clean machine and some quality Google time to identify and get instructions to eliminate the infection.