Back on line again

Colin_Partridge · #1 07-28-2007, 11:50 AM

Hi Gang,
Just to update you and let you know that I am back up and running again. I had some major computer problems and had to send it out to have it repaired. Three virus's that evidently came from Limewire. The grandson uses it all the time and downloads music from it. What I didnt know is that when it is open your computer is open to anyone that wants to hack into your computer. Not sure how all that works but it may be something you may want to moniter for your computers. Not to worry I am back but still really busy but will try to get on here as much as possible.
Colin

chuckt · #2 07-28-2007, 12:00 PM

I had the same trouble and it cost me a bundle to get it all cleared. LIMEWIRE is BAD BAD BAD!! Don't let your kids or grandkids load it on your PC's.

Glad you're back up and running Colin.

ChuckT

GeorgiaCarver · #3 07-28-2007, 03:08 PM

Just curioius, were you running a virus program like Norton at the time and a firewal like Norton Internet Security?

just wondering.....

Greg

chuckt · #4 07-28-2007, 06:21 PM

I was running McAfee's virus and firewall software. It still allowed so much spyware and malware in that it locked up our system. I tried clearing it using a variety of software like AdAware, Spysweeper, various little utilities online and HiJack this to get a full reading of my Registry. All to no avail. Wasted hours trying to clear it.

On top of that I had hardware issues (kids again) from the laptop being dropped and knocking the power connection to hell. So - $400 later it was back up and running but I still need to get a new battery as that got shot too. <sigh> I am fairly tech literate (worked in IT for 12 years) though not a hard core techie but I eventually gave up and ponied up the bucks to a local repair place.

<grrrr>
ChuckT

GeorgiaCarver · #5 07-28-2007, 06:39 PM

Wow, that is not good. I am running Norton internet security hoping it works.... but your guys experience has me concerned. Oh well, wait and see I guess.

Greg

Colin_Partridge · #6 07-28-2007, 06:47 PM

Greg,
I am running Norton as well pay a good buck for it but it doesnt block everything especially when it comes to some of those music sites. I am also running Webroot Spy Sweeper and it still the Spy ware comes up. I dont know what the answer is but when I hear they can hack into the FBI and other major systems it doesnt suprise me they can hack into us.
Colin

chuckt · #7 07-28-2007, 08:16 PM

Hmm - maybe my next computer will be a Mac. ;-)
<Dons flame retardent suit>

Seriously, my friends with Macs seem to have FAR fewer issues of this sort.

ChuckT

Eddy Smiles · #8 07-28-2007, 09:28 PM

My computer literacy of the operating system itself is just a little more than turning the computer on but from what I understand from what my own kids have told me is that most of those music sites are file sharing.... your computer becomes a drive for who ever wants to use it. Someone in Timbuktu can litterally look at every personal file that you have on your computer. Heaven forebid if you have any credit information or social security numbers on it. Needless to say I do not allow my grandkids to use my machine except for homework research and then I stay with them to make sure that they don't get into something that they don't need to see or hear.

chuckt · #9 07-28-2007, 11:30 PM

Well - yes and no. In "theory" you can restrict the folders of the HD that the other's who are sharing files have access to. Of course this does open you up to potential hacker attack. However, in the course of downloading files, you are also apparently downloading spyware, malware, adware, viruses etc. and it is THOSE files that are clogging up the system and causing it to crawl to a halt. I suppose there may be some of this software that could also breaks out of the folder containment area and find personal data then send that back to some collector site where the attacker can get it. But it seems that the main problem is simply clogging the system's resources and bringing it to its knees.

But that's my VERY limited understanding of the situation.

ChuckT

Donna_T · #10 07-29-2007, 09:38 PM

Welcome back!
Computers...what a challenge and what a blessing. I think we can all share your frustration. I just had my main credit card frozen and then replaced by the credit card company because someone hacked into the computer of one of the places I charged something. What a pain, but so far, I haven't noticed any erroneous charges on it.

Good to see you posting again.

Donna T