Sign In

### Topic

#### I won't be clicking on any more links in forum posts--virus warning

<Edited to spare the sensitivities of the gentle Glitchen><snip>Much as I want to, I won't be clicking on any more links in posts. Why? <snip> I've had my computer for about 8 years. I have been a responsible owner and never, EVER had a problem, running anti-virus software regularly. <snip> Recently, I have been the victim of repeated malware attacks. <snip> My system goes south right after I click on a link in a Forum post. The latest is an audible file: "Congratulations, you are today's winner." <snip> Sad as I am It may mean I have to stop playing. But it's getting to the point where my computer isn't going to be usable. So what options do I have?
UPDATE:
About two seeks ago I lost Internet access. I then found a wonderful computer shop in my local community. They removed the rootkit virus -- they told me it really was a nasty bugger--embedded itself deep in the bowels of my OS and in reaction to my running anti virus and malware programs to get rid of it, barred my access to the internet. Evil. They confirmed that it is quite possible to pick up something really really nasty via an ad on a web page. You don't even have to mouse over the ad. Simply going to the page is enough. Apparently there are whole countries whose GNP depends on malware and viruses, which are constantly being created, updated and modified to thwart all the anti virus and malware software out there. They're getting cleverer and more sophisticated by the day. And you are likely not going to be warned you are infected. Your only clue will be that your system runs increasingly slowly. OR in my case, I picked up a rootkit that actually wants you to know it's there so it can mock you. Great. Criminals with a sense of humor.
They installed MSE (they like it, too, TomC!) and something called Sandboxie, which permits safe web browsing by quarantining your browsing and e-mail experience in a "sandbox" walled off from the rest of your computer. After your browsing session, everything is deleted without ever coming in contact with the rest of your computer. They warned that installing Sandboxie is complex to get it to run right (I'd actually tried it a couple of years ago on my own, but it basically prevented me from doing anything. Now that it's installed correctly, I will still be able to download stuff but I'll be prompted to restore the files to my actual computer so they won't be deleted when my browser or e-mail session is over.) It's a great relief to not have to worry any more. Sandboxie approaches computer protection from a different angle. Instead of trying to act as a hockey goalie, preventing every goal, it' simply walls off the goal so access is not possible. Like with vermin--store everything in sealed containers rather than trying to kill all the pests.
But I do want to raise the issue of safe browsing--it's what I was trying to convey in my original post but was too upset at the time to make clear. What I meant was that my wonderful Glitch experience had lulled me into a a false sense of safety and security. It's nice an fun here (yeah, I know, periodically there are flame wars in Forums about weird stuff, but mostly folks are lovely and it's just serene good times. Tip: just don't read the weird forum posts. But I digress.) and it feels safe. And it is, here. But all you folks pasting in links to cool pix of Glitch stuff, or other random, outside of Glitch links, please think about where you are taking the Glitch community members to via those links. Not all are reputable sites. Not all are safe. Of course, ultimately it's my responsibility to protect myself and not click on dubious links. But this is a community and I think all members of the community have a shared responsibility to respect the culture of our community. And this culture supports and encourages shared civility, care, and safety. Which means my first thought when seeing a link in a forum post will not be, "danger, warning, warning!" It is most likely going to be more like "oh neat, something cool and imaginative!" So please, consider where you are encouraging your fellow Glitchen to go when you upload a link.

Posted 10 months ago by Axa | Permalink

### Replies

Previous 1 2 Next

- What about dual booting Ubuntu 11.10. You can keep your files on the windows but when you don't need them use Ubuntu. In my opinion it is better looking, faster and does not need any security programs installed. I think the viruses were made for windows so they would not work in Ubuntu but I am not sure about that. The place to get it is Ubuntu.com. A virus free website as I (and probably many others) have gone there without a virus. If you want help you can IM me in game.
  Posted 10 months ago by Paxton | Permalink
- Axa, I had that exact same rootkit virus before. I did not get it here, I did get it from visiting a different website, though.
  When running avast, you have to make sure to run a boot time scan, deep. Make sure to set it to delete anything malicious. Then walk away. It will take about 8 hrs to run. Your machine will be good as new! :)
  Posted 10 months ago by Innie✿, Obviously | Permalink
- I've never had any issue with virus links here. thankfully!
  Posted 10 months ago by ~Arabesque~ | Permalink
- Times like this are when I love my Mac! :D
  (I know, I know, Macs are vulnerable too. But right now no one cares enough to write the same volume of viruses that gets written for windows, so I don't get any of this BS to deal with.)
  As for the OP...if I understand correctly, you clicked a link to a hosting site to see someone's pictures. That site had viruses in the adds. While that sucks for you to deal with, I don't think it's fair to blame the person who linked to their picture or Glitch's forums for it.
  I hope you can get your computer clean.
  Posted 10 months ago by Feylin | Permalink
- Exactly Feylin. I clicked links in Forum posts that took me to picture hosting sites. As far as I can tell some ad on one of those pages gave me a couple of nasty bugs. I am not blaming anyone but me. I am bringing it to everyone's attention because this is a wonderful community. I let my guard down and clicked on animpossible to ID tiny link. My bad. I appreciate all of these great suggestions more than words can say. Particularly the one about lather rinse repeat. Doing that now.
  Posted 10 months ago by Axa | Permalink
- Axa, in the original post, and another shortly after, you absolutely blamed other players: "uploading with malice", "malignant", "you guys can't be trusted", "clueless", "how dare you", "culprits", et cetera. I totally understand you were (and, again understandably, probably still are) upset, but if you no longer wish to accuse other players of damaging your machine, maybe you could add an edit to the original post to soften the language a bit. I'm really glad things are looking up with your system today!
  Posted 10 months ago by oscarette | Permalink
- I think you better read all the posts Oscarette. I take full responsibility for sure. I clicked on the link. But clearly those posting the pix either did so with malice ( they knew the site was dangerous) or they were unaware ( they were clueless).
  Posted 10 months ago by Axa | Permalink
- I personally have never gotten a virus from anything on Glitch, or anything someone has posted. However, I keep an antivirus running on my machine at all times. If I ever click on something malicious, it will catch it and stop me from getting anything.
  IMO, going without antivirus protection is as bad as thinking you can have unprotected sex with and a hooker and have no consequences. Just dumb.
  Posted 10 months ago by Innie✿, Obviously | Permalink
- Don't worry Axa, I got malware on my computer before and I can understand how much it changed your life. I cut contact with my friends and family and I rarely leave the house anymore because I can't trust anybody. That virus ruined my life. Getting a rootkit on your computer is probably the worst thing that can ever happen to a person. I mean, sure, some people don't even have computers, or food, or a safe living environment, but when I got malware, I was sure that none of those things mattered anymore. You can tell me to get rid of the malware by running a virus scan or formatting my hard drive, but I won't. Why? Because I deserve to be bitter at the horrible human race forever because my computer is almost completely unusable. Nothing bad ever happens to anyone else, only me.
  Posted 10 months ago by Effigy | Permalink
- Totally agree. BTW. I retread my original post. Oscarette is right. I was upset and used some rather strong terms. I will be revising my original post to make the meaning clearer and less flame like. I will do my best to retrace my steps ( the first attack was Christmas night, and the second last night. As far as I can tell, it was two different issues. But what do I know? At present I have no connectivity. )
  Posted 10 months ago by Axa | Permalink
- As with a few of the other posters -
  Avast and Malwarebytes are on this laptop. I didn't see where or if you posted what operating system you have but it sounds like the rootkit imbedded itself in part of the ethernet driver which is what knocked you off line. Once avast (go back in and tell it to delete it not quarantine it) deleted that file it took along part of that driver. If the driver is what gets deleted windows will popup when you reboot and tell you it's found new hardware and needs the driver, insert your windows disk and it should be ok.
  Ubuntu is on my desktop. I'd highly recommend that only to people I know can handle it. It's gotten a LOT more user friendly over the past 2 years but there's still a learning curve to it compared to Windows.
  Posted 10 months ago by BlackWolf | Permalink
- I have had Norton 360 for 4 years now and never a problem, from within Glitch or anywhere else.
  Posted 10 months ago by Joni Mitchell | Permalink
- hmm, thats odd Axa--- what you can do which could possibly solve all your problems is just do a system restore back to before you started having you;re problems, just search "system restore" And that could fix it :)
  Posted 10 months ago by blackwidow | Permalink
- lrn2bootintosafemode
  Posted 10 months ago by Volkov | Permalink
- I am sorry this happened to you. Most Links seem harmless. I once clicked a photo link in the Forums and got as advertisement pop-up but that's the only problem I have had with links and I have been here one year this week. I certainly hope it never happens again to you. I really do believe that there is nothing bad linked here.
  Posted 10 months ago by Brib Annie | Permalink
- Big sigh of relief. Internet access restored. Original posting updated reflect calmer, non-panicked state of mind. Thanks for all the help an advice. I did finally resort to professional help. Rootkits are not for the casual computer user to deal with. Did you know whole countries' economies are now basically dedicated to the creation of malware and viruses?
  Posted 9 months ago by Axa | Permalink
- Axa good to hear things are back and in better shape.
  I'd be curious to know exactly which countries you are referring to and to what extent their economies are dedicated to the creation of malware and viruses. What is your source for this?
  Posted 9 months ago by The Cat Face | Permalink
- Chinese hackers are probably the best known...just google, and you'll get a bunch of recent stories...since not much leaves that country's firewalls without the government knowing/condoning it, it would be safe to surmise their government is backing at least some if not a good portion of this activity, which is why it is often referred to as 'state sponsored'. Most recent hacks - Nortel, US Chamber of Commerce, and NASA...
  Posted 9 months ago by b3achy | Permalink
- I think that I have read that most middle-class youth in China know how to get past the firewall....
  And clearly it is possible, because some of the teach-overseas-in-China jobs brag about unrestricted internet use.
  Posted 9 months ago by Biohazard | Permalink
- Axa, it's so nice to hear that everything was fixed up and you're back online. :D
  Your update was really interesting. I'll be taking a closer look on the protection on my computer now. Thank you for sharing the info.
  Posted 9 months ago by Flowerry Pott | Permalink
- @The Cat Face: There is no question that the biggest creators and distributors of malware, etc, are big countries--China and the US and India to name three of the top four. However, many countries still do not have any anti cybercrime laws on the books. These are usually smaller countries where getting any sort of job is also a challenge so the underground economy helps people stay afloat. Here are resources (note: as far as I can tell, I've only pasted in reliable website links, but again, given the nature of this post, please be aware that you are leaving Glitch and I can't absolutely confirm your cyber safety)
  eval.symantec.com/mktginfo/...
  www.emailsecuritymatters.co...
  www.cert.org/archive/pdf/cybercrime-business.pdf
  www.cybercrimelaw.net/Cyber...
  www.webology.org/2007/v4n3/...
  Posted 9 months ago by Axa | Permalink
- you should use chrome and use adblock beta plus and adblock
  Posted 9 months ago by Deathekills | Permalink
- and I have the same problem and still do , whatever computer I use a lot i tend to screw it I up a lot
  Posted 9 months ago by Deathekills | Permalink
- It was crappy what happened and yes rootkits are EVIL! *inserts horror story*
  However, your bit about country's GNP depending on malware is a bit er overdone. It's a big claim you're making that countries depend on malware.
  Ugh, there's no winning on these forums is there? Sorry, looks like we just honed in on that 1 single throw-away statement you made.
  To the less known state-sponsored malware list add Germany btw...this one caught got my cousin.
  Posted 9 months ago by M<3tra, obviously | Permalink
- To be fair, Metra, that link says it was installed in person whilst going through customs. That's entirely different from "catching" something through browsing. It also seems like something that would mostly be used on people who are already under police suspicion. Trust me, a keylog is not easy to go through, and they likely wouldn't waste the man-hours on just any average citizen.
  That is also something I am quite sure the US government does, as I was on a greyhound bus with someone who had to stay behind for several hours while they "inspected" his computer. Clearly he was on someone's list, because none of the rest of us even had to turn on our laptops.
  Posted 9 months ago by Biohazard | Permalink
- Someone was forced to have their computer 'inspected' to ride Greyhound?
  Posted 9 months ago by Rannel | Permalink
- funniest thread ever
  Posted 9 months ago by ☣ elf ☣ | Permalink
- No Rannel, I was on the greyhound bus from Canada to the US. We went through customs.
  Silly ;P
  Posted 9 months ago by Biohazard | Permalink
- We were infected with a *very* nasty rootkit as well as other viruses that were downloaded in a 'package' together. Since we are so careful about what we click online, we still have no idea where it came from.
  We posted on the message board at bleepingcomputer.com, and someone worked with us for over two weeks (for free!) to get things cleaned up. The computer is back to normal, and we now have a few new programs keeping us safe (we were running McAfee- waste of money).
  HTH
  Posted 9 months ago by Little Honey | Permalink

Previous 1 2 Next