jTr
02-19-2013, 09:52 PM
As I sat sketching on my latest project last night, my laptop began producing audio track for commercials (Geico, etc - typical pop-up stuff). However, my browser was not running at the time
... Uh oh...
My best friend happens to be a computer guru battling all manner of internet attacks for the corp he works for. He manually programs defenses for the corporate systems on the fly as hacks are identified - it's like being in the trenches in a war zone.
His immediate assessment: I had malware. (trojan, spy software)
IMMEDIATELY advised I download Malwarebytes software, which I could then run, detecting and removing said invaders.
Did so, and found 3 offenders on quick scan, and 6 more on a full one hour scouring of every file on the hard drive.
This software will auto detect and prevent me from visiting any website infected with malware before I go there. In fact, while I was running the first quick scan after a reboot, it blocked at least three attempts to visit websites - again, I was not online, so clearly something was up to no good in the dark nether-regions of my operating system!
I use this computer strictly for business - no gaming, not into porn, no greasy kid-stuff. He says you may actually visit a website in error and become infected. You do not need to open files or download anything now days to become infected. Just visiting the wrong site is enough.
Furthermore, he scolded me for using a program he referred to as "IE" - I'll let you figure out if that's what you're using. He likened it to walking around with your fly unzipped....
I've just downloaded Google chrome, which effectively zips me back up. Firefox was suggested as well.
Just an FYI - Hope I've averted disaster and learned to avoid a few more pitfalls life continues to produce. I am sharing with all who may learn from this experience as well.
Quick search for "malwarebytes" will get you there - you may pay a onetime fee or simply use the free version.
jeff
... Uh oh...
My best friend happens to be a computer guru battling all manner of internet attacks for the corp he works for. He manually programs defenses for the corporate systems on the fly as hacks are identified - it's like being in the trenches in a war zone.
His immediate assessment: I had malware. (trojan, spy software)
IMMEDIATELY advised I download Malwarebytes software, which I could then run, detecting and removing said invaders.
Did so, and found 3 offenders on quick scan, and 6 more on a full one hour scouring of every file on the hard drive.
This software will auto detect and prevent me from visiting any website infected with malware before I go there. In fact, while I was running the first quick scan after a reboot, it blocked at least three attempts to visit websites - again, I was not online, so clearly something was up to no good in the dark nether-regions of my operating system!
I use this computer strictly for business - no gaming, not into porn, no greasy kid-stuff. He says you may actually visit a website in error and become infected. You do not need to open files or download anything now days to become infected. Just visiting the wrong site is enough.
Furthermore, he scolded me for using a program he referred to as "IE" - I'll let you figure out if that's what you're using. He likened it to walking around with your fly unzipped....
I've just downloaded Google chrome, which effectively zips me back up. Firefox was suggested as well.
Just an FYI - Hope I've averted disaster and learned to avoid a few more pitfalls life continues to produce. I am sharing with all who may learn from this experience as well.
Quick search for "malwarebytes" will get you there - you may pay a onetime fee or simply use the free version.
jeff