URGENT VIRUS WARNING - Check your Systems!
I spent the whole day yesterday fixing my sisters computer. Nothing at all worked. I spent half the day deleting as much of her files off the computer and then had to restore everything. 10 hours later she was back up and running. She had no virus protection working ! Ouch. Be careful out there ! ~ Ian
URGENT VIRUS WARNING - CHECK YOUR SYSTEMS!
Ouch I suddenly got a very nasty virus this morning. It took over my entire computer. It simulated the windows firewall settings in the notifications window and was impossible to tell from the real windows icons. It apparently shut down my firewalls and all online protection and disabled my spyware removal tools such as Malware Bytes. It also shut down my browser and ran a number of programs on my computer.
The thing that tipped me off was that for some strange reason, it directed me to a site called Windows XP Security Centre where for the sum token of $79.95 I could purchase a Trojan prevention tool which promised to protect me against future attacks such as this. No doubt that software, had I installed it would have infected my system with dozens of other malware programs which specialize in generating income for organized crime groups, through pay per click, pay per view and other such internet revenue streams.
Fortunately for me, I was able to keep my "head about me" and restored my system to a point two days earlier. This completely rid my computer of one of the most nasty viruses I've seen in a while, which no doubt would have put my business on hold at least until Monday.
Please check your systems NOW and make sure that your computer is set to create restore points automatically. I use Windows XP Pro. To do that, Left click Start button>Programs>Accessories>System Tools> System Restore.
Make sure the box is not checked that says "Turn Off System Restore on all Drives". I note that the system checkpoint will not be saved if your scheduling service has been turned off so make sure that your overly ambitious but just knows enough to be dangerous computer tech does not turn off that service in your windows startup sequence.
Here's a great article at Ramesh's Site if you want to dig a little further.
Anyway, to make a long story short, to restore your system from similar attacks, go to the location indicated in red and restore your system to a previous period and you should be set to go. Your DATA will not be affected. Here's couple of other programs that are pretty good for keeping your system safe, and making you feel good but of course nothing is infallible
Also make sure that you windows firewall settings are all enabled by going to Control Panel>Security Settings. Your system may be slightly different. Please check your computer documentation or Google for help on your particular system.
Mike Leibel
Your Calgary Real Estate Connection
Associate Broker - REALTOR®
Executive Platinum Award
CIR Realty - Calgary, Alberta
Canada
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