Time Off

Thanks , " G ":

    I will probably get a H.P. this time . The old Dell was good but , too problematic when it came to replacement batteries and stuff .

The myth that Mac's don't get viruses is just that.

If you get one, get a protection program.

NEVER click on anything telling you a virus has been detected and only that particular program will remove it. This is the oldest trick out there to get you to infect your PC after clicking on it, or a way to get you to input a credit card number only to be maxed out by a crook within minutes.

There is another scam going on out there I heard about on a radio shoe regarding free savings coupons on merchandise which in reality will fry your harddrive after clicking on the attachment. Tons of scams out there so just be careful.

I once got an authentic looking message while browsing that said "Microsoft has detected so and so viruses on your computer".  I thought wait a minute, Microsoft does not detect viruses and send messages.  So I checked my Mc Affee and it said, 'this program is not often used' and would not me run it.  I then realized it must be one of those ransom programs, so I closed the web page and did not run it.  Dodged a bullet there!

Since then, the old PC just wore out, so I bought an iMac.  I have had no further intrusions of any kind in the last two years.  So, Tankerbuilder, I would suggest you check out the Apple equipment before you buy a new computer.  But yes, you will have to learn some new tricks to operate it.

Chuck

the doog

A word of warning too: if you ever get a call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft or whoever and claiming that they're "getting error meesages" from your computer and that it's infected with a virus which they can fix for you, just hang up. That's a scam. I tell them that I work for the FBI and that I put the virus there to catch people who scam other people by claiming to have "error messages" and they hang up pretty quickly.

My wife got the same phone call and told her the same thing. She called BS and hung up on them.

I got a computer in 2007 and have never once had a computer crash of destroy a hard drive. My Dad has had two go. I tell you what I tell him--you have to go with a GOOD security program, but also you have to learn to clean your cache, temp files, and repair your registry from time to time. Defrag your computer and clear your history, cookies, etc. You should invest in a good registry cleaner/repairer like Advanced System Care  or CCleaner. They will do for you what you SHOULD be doing to help your computer run more efficiently. I've used Norton Pro for all my computers and never have a problem.

I often wonder how truthful these "computer repair" companies are being when they "fix" or can't fix your computer. In the worst case scenario, you can just reboot your computer-return it to a factory settings condition after you save all the data off it that you want. Reinstall your securuty program after you get it "clean" and it restarts, and then run a scan on your media card/CD before you reload photos or data onto the clean drive. And honestly, for the money they charge, you can almost get a whole new computer these days.

A word of warning too: if you ever get a call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft or whoever and claiming that they're "getting error meesages" from your computer and that it's infected with a virus which they can fix for you, just hang up. That's a scam. I tell them that I work for the FBI and that I put the virus there to catch people who scam other people by claiming to have "error messages" and they hang up pretty quickly.

Sorry to hear that T.B..   I've been there too.  

Jim  

Unfortunately this kind of crap can happen at any time as the virus programs are contantly being defeated by new threats. What kind of satisfaction anyone could get by messing up someone else's computer is beyond my comprehension. 

I'm very careful where I surf and even then, have managed to pick up something here or there that my ESET antivirus program detected.

TB: very sorry to hear your computer was invaded and the data encrypted.

Unfortunately the damage to TB's computer / data could have been caused by someone on the other side of the planet.

Maybe Skynet is taking a few baby steps?

I hope whoever sets up your next computer gives the computer a decent firewall this time around so you can resume your normal FSM forum access without risking further damage.

In the meantime, I'll miss your posts.

Thats horrible. I've had a couple of server crashes, I don't understand why idiots do this.

I guess there's always the Library.