replies later, but first!

[lirazel]

So there's this virus going around? Both of my parents' computers are useless. And I know five or six other people (including angearia) whose computers have gotten it as well.

Does anybody know anything about it? What sites I should avoid, etc.? I've got everything I really need backed up on my external harddrive, but I'm still horribly paranoid about having to pay money to get my laptop fixed.

Does anybody know anything?

This post, brought to you by my mama's frantic phonecall about how I need to be careful because I don't have the money to buy a new laptop.

Comments

[author-by-night.livejournal.com]

Well, a while back right before Christmas, I got a virus from a lyrics website I wouldn't have even gone to. I accidentally clicked on google's lovely "I'm feeling lucky", and it directed me there. I knew as soon as I saw that stupid fish screensaver pop up o'doom that I was dead.

So my advice would be to be very, very careful about what you click on. Don't click on something if you don't know exactly what it is. A link that says "my website" could be a virus, even if you know the person - you don't know that a hacker didn't attach something to it. Don't click on google ads. If a friend sends you an email with a link to a cool youtube video, make sure it's actually your friend.

In short, know what you're clicking on.

Also, if your computer is being slow or you suspect you may have gone to a site with a virus, scan your computer. If you don't have antivirus, get it.

That's about all I can tell you. :/

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

Oooh! "I'm feeling lucky" scares me! And this adds more fuel to the fire.

Yeah, good advice: I think that's the practical approach, and it's the one I generally follow. I'm just very paranoid right now because I can't afford for anything to happen to this laptop.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_jems_/]

Wasn't that the virus that made the German and French governments issue releases warning people to switch from Internet Explorer to some other browser? Since I don't use IE, I've mostly just been ignoring the articles, etc.

My standard defense is basically to not allow Firefox to do anything that I haven't told it specifically to do. So I use No Script, AdBlock and Stop Autoplay, so that I have to actively click on things to make sites behave the way they're supposed to. Sure, it's a pain in the ass, but I'd rather be safe(r) than sorry.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

Perhaps it is; I don't use IE and neither does anyone else in my family. So I guess it isn't exclusive to IE? Though most viruses are designed to target that one specifically since most people use it.

Huh. I have no idea how to do any of those things (I'm pretty sure I've got AdBlock on, though sometimes things still get through), so I guess I'll have to figure it out. *sigh*

And yes: I'm all about the rather safe than sorry.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_jems_/]

They're extensions. You just install them and then they do all the work.

Stop Autoplay
Adblock Plus
NoScript

And I also remembered this one:

WOT, which warns for malicious web sites.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

OH! You are most excellently helpful! Thank you!

And I love that you accompanied your helpful post with a Veronica icon. How appropriate!

[angearia.livejournal.com]

I use Firefox and I still got it. My only advice is to stop being like me.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

But...but..that ruins all my plans! As my goal in life is to be exactly like you!

Now I'm going to have to get a new goal???

[angearia.livejournal.com]

Well, if it's any consolation, I feel stronger for having survived my trials with the evil virus...

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

Just like Buffy! Overcoming all the Big Bads!

I knew you reminded me of someone!

[cordykitten]

You need a good Internet security. But you only know if it's a good one or not after you've got something *sigh*.
The 'hole' in IE got fixed in the last update; not very used browser should be safer. I still use IE 6.0 but have the newest FF.
I have AdBlock too, not sure if that helps but it's neat. When watching a video I've heard that FF tells you if a site is known of having viruses and tells you not to go there (it's under security). I have it set that a websites isn't allowed to lead me automatically to another one. (My text is in German, not sure how it is called in English in the options.)
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/video/?video=security
Good luck (for all of us). *hates viruses*