My computer must have a virus...help please ...

WVBill · Nov 29, 2004

roughcut,

I had EXACTLY the same problem (items 1 - 4 and 6 anyway).

Do you have Windows XP Service Pack 2? Do you have the Windows XP firewall activated?

Bet you do. There is a conflict between AOL's firewall and the XP firewall. I called AOL's tech support and they walked me through the fix. It's pretty simple and I could tell you the steps except I'm not at my home computer right now. It involves a change to the XP firewall setup that disables the firewall for AOL.

I'll look when I get home and give you the exact settings.

eee · Nov 29, 2004

Thank you Bill !!

Bird · Nov 29, 2004

( Any computer on DSL or cable must, must MUST have a router )

Billy, there was another thread on this topic awhile back and it, too, recommended a router, so I got one; have no idea how it works or what it does, but I've got it. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

sendero · Nov 29, 2004

Just connect it between your cable/DSL modem and your computer. You'll have to use your browser to do some minor configuration - and make some changes in your TCP/IP setup so that it knows you are using a gateway.

The beauty of this little box is that it does something called "block WAN request" or similarly named, that makes it impossible for anyone out on the network to get into your computer.

Basically what it does is track all the IP addresses you are talking to (from your own net requests, typically from using your browser) and if it gets a packet from an IP address you have not initiated a conversation with, it simply pitches it into the bit bucket. This has the effect of making your computer invisible on the net, which is a very good thing because otherwise once a hacker gets to Windows his job is 99% done, Windows still being chock full of exploitable security lapses.

So, get out the manual and hook that baby up! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Durbob · Nov 29, 2004

( I spend a heck of a lot of time running all the anti-virus and anti-spyware programs, but the slowdowns they cause, and the anger I feel because they are in my computer, are much worse. I have almost as many of the programs as Junkman, with the same results -- they all catch different things, no one program can solve all the problems. I think this is partly because the spyware folks are one step ahead. I currently have some spyware called WinAdTools that shows up in every registry check, is reported as being cleaned, quarantined and removed by AdAware, SpyBot and REgistry Mechanic, but still shows up in every one of their scans, every time -- none of them are actually removing it.

I'll tell you what the feeling is like. Imagine that some folks are sitting in the central hallway of your house, watching and recording every move you make through the house. They aren't causing any real damage to your house, but every time you want to get from one room to another, you have to step over them. Sometimes the hallway gets so crowded it takes forever to get through. Now, imagine that the only effective way to get rid of them is to make copies of all your possessions, then burn down the house and build a new one, then examine all of your copies of possessions carefully before moving them back in. )

I had the same problem. I had to put the computer in safe mode and use spybot-search and destroy and then ran webroot -spy sweeper also to get rid of the spyware. You might get rid of it by using all the programs you already have by running them on your computer in safe-mode.

WVBill · Nov 30, 2004

roughcut,

Here are the settings.
Again, assuming you have XP SP2 installed:

Open the Windows Security Center (little shield in the system tray, lower right corner of screen)

Click on Windows Firewall in the lower portion of the window.

Click on the Exceptions Tab

Click on the box next to AOL (puts an X in the box)

Close.

That's what fixed it for me. Basically, you are turning off Windows Firewall for AOL.

Soundguy · Nov 30, 2004

( 3) Never, never, don't even think about opening any email attachment that you did not expect to get )

The only time I ever got a virus on a windows machine was from opening attatchments I was expecting.. like from my inlaWS.. ETC. Just because you know the person, and are expecting the file does not prevent it from being infected. When I finally got over to my inlaws house to clean up their computer, they had about 15 different viral infections. one of them was bad enough that it required there oem 'reinstall' disc that wipes the computer HDD out and starts over.

Kinda like driving... I've never caused an accident.. but I've been in 4 of them.. due to other peoples driving habits.

Soundguy

sendero · Nov 30, 2004

Good point and I should have clarified.

Just because you know the sender doesn't mean you "expected" the attachment. Their computer might be infected, and that is the most popular way for a virus to spread, infect one computer and send itself as an attachment to everyone on their mailing list.

DON'T OPEN IT UNLESS YOU EXPECTED IT!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bird · Nov 30, 2004

( get out the manual and hook that baby up )

I've had it hooked up a few months; U.S.Robotics Broadband Router and it has a little "WAN" light that flickers all the time, a "PWR" light that stays on solid, and 4 USB ports (I'm only using one). So I guess (hope?) it's doin' whatever it's supposed to be doin'. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

riptides · Nov 30, 2004

( ...U.S.Robotics Broadband Router and it has a little "WAN" light that flickers all the time...)

WAN flickering is normal. There is always activity on the wire.
Both good, bad and misunderstood.
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif