Internet Use for those not so saavy...

[ekerr19]

I am bringing this up on this thread based upon comments on another thead -

My Mom & Dad are in their late 70's - my Mom "loves" e-mail and searching online for interests, vacations, chat, etc...

The problem is - Mom's computer (a new computer - less than one year old) contains viruses. I cannot get e-mail from her. My virus scan quarantines my Mom's e-mail... :o

I have told her repeatedly how to update her McAfee Anti-Virus software... we have installed Ad-Aware ... she should be safe, you would think... she is not.

Her Internet Home page has been hi-jacked, more than once.

I have also experienced this problem during the last two weeks. :mad:

Here is my story:

My home page has been hi-jacked right out from under me!!!! I have two different firewalls and both got fooled by different sites. Please be aware - if your kids use your home computer - even though you think you are protected - these thieves can find a way into your system! Make sure you know the sites your children access and block any gaming sites (from my own experience). I have instructed my kids on how to "reject" any changes to the home page and how to "deny access" to anyone trying to access folders or programs.

Two weeks ago, my home page was hi-jacked - even though my firewall told me someone was trying to change the home page - AND I declined the changes and it was changed anyway. :eek:

I went to Regedit, found the offensive material, deleted the strings - but still couldn't get rid of the parasite. It was then I found they had Hi-jacked the Regedit permisssions for my OWN computer!!! :mad: What a mess trying to figure out what went wrong...

Please be careful going to sites that you are unfamiliar with - I have reset my security to "high" and I run Ad-Aware (from www.lavasoft.com (http://www.lavasoft.com)) weekly. Ad-Aware is free, but I have subscribed because this is one program I AM certain does not leave any "spyware" or traces of other ad software on your computer.

A firewall is a must - these days hi-jacking and computer thieves are so saavy, they can fool the best of us. Please be careful - I think of my own frustrating experience and I think of what my parents go through (and they have no clue), if you suspect something - please take heed.

My Mom has no clue - I have a bit more idea of what happens. I worry that any info she provides online will be snatched from under her. I have cautioned her about "phishing" so she is aware, but jeez, if I can get hi-jacked, she's CAKE!

Sorry to be so serious - but this issue is of great concern to me and I believe we are all subject to this type of intrusion.

[Charliesmom]

When my husband's computer got a virus we took the computer back to Gateway for service. They cleaned everything out of the computer and then reinstalled his programs.

This is a good reason to back up all of your important data.

I do not have a home page. I figure this is one more entry into my computer that I don't need.

Roberta

[ekerr19]

I do not have a home page. I figure this is one more entry into my computer that I don't need. Roberta
Roberta - The "home" page is the "default" page that comes up when you access the internet - I have MSN, also COMCAST - at work we have our company's web-site...

Most people have MSN, Netscape, etc... those are your "home pages" that contain browsers which allow you to access info on the internet... :)

[Sierrachik]

Please be careful going to sites that you are unfamiliar with - I have reset my security to "high" and I run Ad-Aware (from www.lavasoft.com (http://www.lavasoft.com/)) weekly. Ad-Aware is free, but I have subscribed because this is one program I AM certain does not leave any "spyware" or traces of other ad software on your computer. Do you perhaps mean www.lavasoftusa.com (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/)? That is the site that offers the adware/spyware programs.

Also, for any users on AOL, if you upgrade to the latest version of 9.0, there is a fairly decent spyware program that comes with it. I also use Norton Internet Security for firewall, anti spam for email, ad blocker and popup blocker as well as anti virus. NIS can also be configured to do automatic updates. When I added it to my system (via download) I already had Norton Anti Virus so it was considered an upgrade and the charge was $39.99. There is an annual sign up fee, think it is about $25-30, haven't reached the 1 year point yet, but it is so worth it. A very small price to pay for such great protection.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have used Norton for years. And we update Norton every year. We are on our second computer - other was years old.

And so far we haven't been attacked by any viruses. Keep our fingers crossed.

[wild_rose]

We have used Norton for years. And we update Norton every year. We are on our second computer - other was years old.

And so far we haven't been attacked by any viruses. Keep our fingers crossed.




Exactly my experience here in Canada. Before Norton I was once thoroughly poisoned and required professional assistance to get cleaned out, but since Norton was installed have had no problems. I have it renewed every year.

[gliles]

Here's my plan, I married an Infrastructure Administrator....my computer is flawless and is my DH, LOL :D

[dakrewser]

Ah, finally a technology question!


I highly recommend the ZoneAlarm (http://www.zonelabs.com/store/application?namespace=zls_catalog&origin=global.jsp&event=link1.catalogHome&&zl_catalog_view_id=201&lid=nav_ho) products. The personnal firewall at a minimum, but the full suite is best.

Also note that email which purports to be from your mother (or someone else in your address book) may simply be spoofing their name - it happens very frequently these days.

-dave
"Wired Windows (http://www.nwfusion.com/columnists/kearns.html)"

[Randyk47]

I would also suggest that if anybody is out there using an "always on" connection like a cable or DSL modem that they buy and install a cable/DSL router. Between this and my firewall we've not had a serious attack against our machines in over 2 years. You can got to Symantec and run a couple of checks against your machine to see if it is sufficiently protected. We have our own webpage but it's kept by Geocities so a hacker can hack away as much as they want and there's no direct connection between that server and our machines at home. As for a "homepage"...everybody has one of those whether they know it or not....it's the page that comes up when you log on to your provider.

[Lithium]

The key to all of this is to keep your computer updated. If you are running windows, check for windows updates very frequently. The other key is to avoid installing things when you enter a webpage. Most of them will ask if its ok to install something....always say NO!!!!! I find spyware removers and anti virus and firewalls more pain than the viruses themselves. If you are smart with your computer, you don't need any of this (except for maybe a hardware router like was suggested above).

[Randyk47]

I almost agree with you except nothing, including a router, will take the place of anti-virus software. If you get email you really should have anti-virus software installed. The internet security software and the router are for hackers. Anti-virus software will not stop a hacker....it's just two different kinds of attacks on your machine. Quite frankly I wouldn't turn on my computer without having all of them....I spend too much time doing business and personal research/surfing not to be as fully protected as possible. By the way, cable/DSL routers are actually cheaper right now than most security software so it's low cost and very easy to install.

[Lithium]

I have never had a problem with email viruses. They are too easy to spot. Just using some common sense saves you from email viruses.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I have the McAfee Virus Scan and Firewall which I pay for once a year and it is constantly feeding me updates> In all this time, I've had no problems. Your Mom really needs to have someone clean up her virus and start from scratch. As long as she subscribes to the updates, she should not have any problems.

Also, for the feint of heart, AOL is a good server since it's very protective for even those of us who are not totally savvy.

[JDee]

For a free computer test try: www.pcpitstop.com

That site will test the entire system on your computer at no cost. You can choose the full test or partial for antivirus, internet speed, spyware info, etc.

Of course, it also give you an option to buy some of their goodies. Still, I thought it was an excellent site.....

[Randyk47]

Just a general caution....I've seen it too many times with friends and co-workers....hackers do not use virus attacks. A hacker doesn't need to , nor do they generally, send you an email to get into your machine. The problem is that they can do it and you'll never know it until it's too late. Get a firewall or use the new one built into MicroSoft XP if that's your operating system.

[dakrewser]

I would also suggest that if anybody is out there using an "always on" connection like a cable or DSL modem that they buy and install a cable/DSL router.
The router is only needed if you have multiple computers and if it comes with built-in firewall protection. While that's important, most malware is carried as email attachments these days, so good anti-virus protection for your email client is important.

-dave

[dakrewser]

The other key is to avoid installing things when you enter a webpage. Most of them will ask if its ok to install something....always say NO!!!!! I find spyware removers and anti virus and firewalls more pain than the viruses themselves. If you are smart with your computer, you don't need any of this (except for maybe a hardware router like was suggested above).
As long as you're aware of what's being installed (updates from Adobe, Macromedia, etc.) there's no problem and it can enhance your web experience. A hardware router does little to protect you from viruses, but may offer a bit of extra help to keep out worms or trojans. Anyone who doesn't have anti-virus software installed and always running is simply asking for trouble.

-dave

(of course, none of this has to do with HAL, so this thread may well be moved also!):)

[cruzincurt]

You can get a computer virus or spyware program just by going to a WEB site. For example, THIS WEB site downloads "doubleclick" and "bridgetracker" onto your computer when you visit, the latest version of Spybot will alert you to this fact.

As a minimum you need a firewall such as Zonealarm that stops things going IN and OUT from your computer, the Windows firewall only works one direction. Spybot and Adaware for regular scanning, a good anti-virus such as PC-Cillin to scan emails and WEB pages, and even Spywareblaster software that stops other attempts to hijack your computer. A router alone does little.

[ryansmemom]

I have a one word soulution for all of these problems. It solves the problem for me. I never have to worry about my computer becoming infected with a virus. It is so simple. My computer life is simplified.

The word is:

MACINTOSH

I just love my Apple computer.

Linda :D :cool: ;)

[jimmy2x]

Consider myself a fairly savvy user BUT I was also hijacked by the infamous "about:blank" trojan. Was running Norton but not a firewall. FOrtunately my son is really a computer wiz and managed to get me back up to normal.
1. Divided my "C" drive into "C" and "D" by actually using a program to create "D" as a virtual drive. Moved all my music files and document files to that. Unfortunately you CANNOT move your progam files to the virtual drive.
2. Reformatted "C" drive and reinstalled XP.
3. Last but certainly not least I downloaded the Mozilla browser and now use that exclusively. Most attacks are designed to attack IE as that is the prevelant browser. Also got rid of Norton and installed McAfee anti-virus and downloaded the Spygate firewall (free) and am running both of them. No problems and computer is back to its old self.

[elmorejj]

I thought the language on this site was English, I clicked on and saw a whole bunch of Gobbledegook!! Seriously, I use MacAfee as Norton was letting in all kinds of viruses and Trojan horses. I also have Zonealarm and haven`t had a problem since....jean :cool:

[glrounds]

For a free computer test try: www.pcpitstop.com (http://www.pcpitstop.com/)

That site will test the entire system on your computer at no cost. You can choose the full test or partial for antivirus, internet speed, spyware info, etc.

Of course, it also give you an option to buy some of their goodies. Still, I thought it was an excellent site.....JDee, what a great site. Thank you very much. Everything checked out just fine.

IE has a zillion holes in it, and I've recently loaded Mazilla.com's Firefox as my browser. No popups. No problems. It augments the firewall that comes with XP. Love it as I can constantly hear it "blocking" attempts at intrusion.

One drawback - as of right now, firefox doesn't have all the bells and whistles (font, color, size, smilies,etc) on their e-mails. :( So I use IE when I send e-mails ? :)