I have my FB (facebook) set to send me updates when I get a message. Little did I know that there was a new virus being sent from this application feature.
It all started in early fall 2009 when I received a message from my sister-in-law regarding something silly I was in. I was on my home computer (and not a work thank goodness) when I opened the email. I clicked on the FB link, assuming it would take me to the message as it always does. Here is when the horror began...
Within minutes the virus sent itself out to everyone on my FB friends list. I saw what was happening but I had no way of stopping it. I tried to use my internet explorer and the entire program had crashed. I would open explorer and get a message telling me that I had a virus and need to download their protection software. I would try to then close the message box, only to receive more boxes pop up. Ultimately, I had to shut down the computer.
I called my computer guru Mr.B and he quickly came to my aid. I was in the middle of graduate school work and didn't have time to lose work. Mr. B worked his magic and found that this virus was designed to attack explorer. He tried to get rid of the virus by downloading a "patch" but every time he searched for the patch the virus "stepped" in and would cause the program to crash. As Mr. B worked on the virus he learned that the creators of this virus had designed it such that you could not delete the virus unless you PURCHASED the patch from them (which was smart thinking on their part - I guess). After about 4 hours, Mr. B was able to find a patch for the virus. The virus could not be deleted by it is in quarantined for now.
Today: My computer no longer uses internet explorer (it had to be removed) and it still needs to be reformatted (but that will have to wait until after I graduate). Currently I use Firefox and Navigator for internet work. If I use any search engine I have to copy the link and open a new browser in order to view the information. If I click on the link from the search engine the page will crash.
Lesson Learned: Trust your instinct, if something does not seem right it probably isn't! I never should have clicked on that email message!
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Ouch! I'm glad that the situation was salvageable though. I hope you fix it for good without too much trouble. I am amazed how really intelligent people decide to use their intellect to program and distribute things like that. It seems like there are so many better ways to spend you time.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree!
ReplyDeleteI get so many viruses sent to me - and oddly, they are usually from my students who don't intend to (at least I hope..). You will send me an assignment as an attachment and your computer embeds a virus and then I assume because I know you that it is ok to open. Thankfully, I have great virus protection and a tech/nerd brother that has saved my butt more than a few times.... You can scan your attachments by right clicking on them and scan is one of the options.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOops! That was quite a price you had to pay.
ReplyDeleteOn a separate note, that was quite an ingeneously designed virus.
I agree.. It really is a pity that intellegent people spend so much time applying their intellect to such despicable tasks...