Computer Viruses, Why?

[conch6thuf]

Why is it that there are so many out there? Spyware, Adware, Trojans and worms, why so many and why so damaging. I wouldn't be so pissed at cpu viruses if they only took my "personal info" which is scant on my PC and just left my pc's performance alone. - anyone keeping personal information on their computer is an idiot these days. I just wish something could be done...I know this is impossible to fix, people take pleasure in making other uncomfortable. I just wonder if people get infected with a adware highjacker really would buy or use the services that pop up on the screen? I actully called a company who's ad came up on my cpu and they claimed they knew nothing of the subject.


I am sick of it, and it's not like my government or any other government can stop it, what is legislation to some 13 year old in Germany just making viruses to make himself feel big and important. ughhhhhhhh! :angry

[Marconius]

Buy yourself a Linux then *wink*

[Albo g]

I know wot u mean, my computer has a virus and its so annoying, the programs close by their own, and its ull of spam which i cant take off :angry , the strangest thing though is that the phones are getting full with viruses too :blink , i never though it might get this far

[conch6thuf]

haven't had any phone viruses, I don't pay for that crappy phone-internet service. I can wait till I get home to use instant messenger or check the scores.

[bookib002]

i want to invent a monitor that shows who is sending virus to people-spam as well-and nuke them

but before i nuke them i want to ask one thing: how do you have that much time on your hands?

[conch6thuf]

Linux is not a solution, if we were all using Linux there would be viruses for that...I should be able to use what I want without fear of loosing my investment. I have sunk over 2000 bucks for my computer, that doesn't include the 3 times I've had to get it fixed because of spam, adware, spyware and trojans. Why is Virus software so damn expensive (I know research and technology). I wouldn't be surprised in 20 years we learn that Norton and Macafee and companies like that were in colusion with virus authors. Not surprised at all.

[hormiga]

Spyware and trojans that hijack or alter your browser are mainly produced by shady companies for profit. They do it so certain pages get more hits or to disable the use of competitors pages or whatever.

Anyway the answer is purely financial in most cases, people just looking for a quick buck by subverting the system.

In regards to viruses, I guess that varies, sometimes it is just a punk kid or someone with a political agenda.

EDIT:
Use Firefox and common sense and you will never have a serious scumware related problem again.... well maybe not "never" but your chances of staying clean will be better than with IE at least.

[conch6thuf]

Quick bucks yeah I know about that I can almost understand it but make something that is less toxic to my pc's performance geesh.


Thanks Hormiga, I have since downloaded Firefox and I like it a lot more than Internet Exploder but the damage has been done. Hopefully the tech guys can fix it for me and Rome will run again.

[big_feef]

Well, if you have to use Bugdows XP or any Microcrap operating system, make sure you get yourself a good virus program (McAfee or Norton), a good spyware remover (Ad-Aware works very well for me), and Mozilla Firefox (superior to IE in each and every way)... With my combo of Norton System Works and Internet Security, Ad-Aware 6.x, and Firefox, I don't get viruses or spyware; and I can block all those annoying ads too (Firefox has a great adblocker plug-in also). And if you're using these programs and still get viruses and spyware; make sure you're updating them on a regular basis, make sure you install Bugdows updates when they're available, or just change your browsing/downloading habits.

Many don't realise that even with the most powerful virus scanners, spyware blockers, etc... you're still open to attack if you have stupid habits regarding file management from the internet; ie: browsing pr0n or wares sites (the easiest way to pick up viruses imo), downloading files without checking what they are, opening attachments in emails from people you don't know...

And if you're tired of all the work you have to do to keep your Bugdows machine clean (it isn't a lot, you lazy sods), then get a Linux box or a Mac.

[Marconius]

Originally posted by conch6thuf@Apr 27 2005, 12:06 PM
Linux is not a solution, if we were all using Linux there would be viruses for that...I should be able to use what I want without fear of loosing my investment. I have sunk over 2000 bucks for my computer, that doesn't include the 3 times I've had to get it fixed because of spam, adware, spyware and trojans. Why is Virus software so damn expensive (I know research and technology). I wouldn't be surprised in 20 years we learn that Norton and Macafee and companies like that were in colusion with virus authors. Not surprised at all.

Actually there have been a couple of viruses for Linux...but these were all like the ones that change your browser's homepage. Nothing serious...Linux is much more complicated and therefore more protected from all sorts of viruses.

But yes, it is rather expensive to protect your Windows from all sorts of viruses and spyware.

[hormiga]

Originally posted by conch6thuf@Apr 27 2005, 01:18 PM
Thanks Hormiga, I have since downloaded Firefox and I like it a lot more than Internet Exploder but the damage has been done. Hopefully the tech guys can fix it for me and Rome will run again.

Read my post in this thread about cleaning your system:
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/index.php?s...pic=27934&st=12

I used to surf the internet "commando" (with no protection) and I had many many problems. After cleaning my own computer I went on to clean my parents and a few others at my school.

It is possible to get even the worst scumware off your computer, trust me.


Some scumware isnt very invasive (in fact most isnt) the problem is that you get SO MUCH of it, that it can bog you down and occassionally you get the reallly bad ones which make your computer a slave to some idiot hacker everytime you want to get online.

Clean your computer, get a firewall, and use Adaware and you will be a much more happy camper.

[Portuguese Rebel]

Best anti-virus:

Good Sense... a product made by WorkingBrains Inc. *tongue*

I've been using a computer for more than 10 years now. I never got a virus. Then, i allowed my 15 year old sister to use it during a week and surprise... I got all sorts of trojans and other crap.

With a decent antivirus and a firewall (both UPDATED), you have almost zero chance of getting a virus these days, unless you open that "enlarge your penis.exe" file you got on your mail or you download that "@€razor1243 crack- World of warcraft online free play.exe" crap.

Think before you do.

Linux is much more complicated and therefore more protected from all sorts of viruses.

No it's not. If you had as many script kiddies working on linux open code you would find more cracks than in win XP at this time. The great thing about linux is that nobody bothers with it. The same goes for mozilla based browsers and Opera.

[conch6thuf]

ha ha very funny Rebel. However, I do use common sense and this crap still gets on it.

[hormiga]

If you download music or hacked games (not saying you do) but that can be a source of viruses and stuff. Really with Firefox, decent firewall (agentium outpost) and the programs in my sig (adaware and spywareblaster) I have ZERO scumware and ZERO virus problems.

I have noticed on machine with all the above but where IE is still used, there is the occassional spyware that gets on but nothing to serious.

[Sulla]

Why is it that there are so many out there?

At some core level there has to be an element of 'the challenge'. Find the exploit, break through the virus checkers, break through the constantly updating firewalls. Since most viruses don't do all that much damage anyway I think a large amount is the thrill.

[Albo g]

Originally posted by hormiga@Apr 27 2005, 12:36 PM
If you download music or hacked games (not saying you do) but that can be a source of viruses and stuff. Really with Firefox, decent firewall (agentium outpost) and the programs in my sig (adaware and spywareblaster) I have ZERO scumware and ZERO virus problems.

I have noticed on machine with all the above but where IE is still used, there is the occassional spyware that gets on but nothing to serious.

i think you meant me , anyways its from msn, my cuzin sent hacker and hacked me but he didnt know that it is a virus, now i keep getting these porn ads and virus messages, by the way, i got all the stuff you have there *wink*

[big_feef]

Originally posted by Marconius@Apr 27 2005, 01:20 PM
But yes, it is rather expensive to protect your Windows from all sorts of viruses and spyware.

Actually, it's not. The only program you'd have to pay for is the Anti-virus and Firewall program. Norton System Works 2005 and Internet Security 2005 cost me less than $100 for a one year subscribtion. The other suff, Ad-Aware and Firefox, are freeware; albeit very good freeware.

Compare that to the cost of actually getting your computer fixed... $200 for them just to look at a computer in Austin last time I checked. Fortunatelly, I'm a tech also; I fix my own stuff when it goes in.

[Marconius]

Originally posted by big_feef@Apr 27 2005, 12:49 PM
Actually, it's not. The only program you'd have to pay for is the Anti-virus and Firewall program. Norton System Works 2005 and Internet Security 2005 cost me less than $100 for a one year subscribtion. The other suff, Ad-Aware and Firefox, are freeware; albeit very good freeware.

Compare that to the cost of actually getting your computer fixed... $200 for them just to look at a computer in Austin last time I checked. Fortunatelly, I'm a tech also; I fix my own stuff when it goes in.

Ad-Aware doesn't really remove all spyware from your computer. You have to have at least one other anti-spyware program for more severe ones. And let's not forget the fact that we are not living in the same country *wink* The value of $100 to you may not be the same for me...

[maneuverous tookillas]

Originally posted by conch6thuf@Apr 27 2005, 12:06 PM
Linux is not a solution, if we were all using Linux there would be viruses for that...I should be able to use what I want without fear of loosing my investment. I have sunk over 2000 bucks for my computer, that doesn't include the 3 times I've had to get it fixed because of spam, adware, spyware and trojans. Why is Virus software so damn expensive (I know research and technology). I wouldn't be surprised in 20 years we learn that Norton and Macafee and companies like that were in colusion with virus authors. Not surprised at all.

I've NEVER had a virus or trojan. I have had mild spyware that gets installed with a new computer but thats easy to get rid of. I use is McAfee viruscan (any antivirus will do), Spybot search & destroy (make sure to use immunize function after scan). And as another poster mentioned in sig, Spywareblaster. If you haven't tried these yet you should, they work well.

[hormiga]

Originally posted by Marconius@Apr 27 2005, 02:08 PM
Ad-Aware doesn't really remove all spyware from your computer. You have to have at least one other anti-spyware program for more severe ones. And let's not forget the fact that we are not living in the same country *wink* The value of $100 to you may not be the same for me...

It does a damn good job.... but if you are worried there are other free programs you can run with it. (Spybot Search & destroy is ok, doesnt update as often as Adaware though). Hijackthis (also free) can be used to identify real nasty ones that need to removed manually.

I have cleaned computers using nothing but free programs, lack of money is no reason to have a cocked up computer.