BS: New Virus Scam

Subject: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 03:49 AM

I'm sure I'm not the only one to be experiencing the latest virus storm.
The latest, which appears to be a new enterprise from 'free' Russia, is in the form of a warning that you are under threat from a virus unless you download such-and-such a programme
Open it and you have - guess what?
Take care out there.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Senoufou
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 04:09 AM

Thank you for the warning Jim. But what exactly would happen if one opened it? (I'm afraid I can't guess, as I'm totally hopeless with regard to the Internet!)

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 05:45 AM

You get the virus - simple as that.
Mine froze my PC so I could only use it on 'safe' mode - it is apparently quite difficult to remove - off to get mine extracted today (hate using this ***** laptop).
There are several versions circulating at present - my computer minder tells me that he is sorting out four customers today.
There appears to be a hacking epidemic at present - it took me half-dozen goes to open this forum because of invasive pop-ups - it seems to have become a lucrative big-business.
Ransom-virus is apparently the new kid on the block - pay us xxx and we'll take off what we've just put on.
That's capitalist enterprise for you, I suppose!

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Senoufou
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 06:10 AM

Ah yes, my husband was telling me about 'ransom viruses' just the other day. He's far more techno-savvy than me. But I'm sorry to say my eyes glaze over when he tries to explain stuff. I'm thinking about what to cook for dinner, or what Spring bulbs to plant in our tubs this autumn!
I should have been born in the Victorian era.

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 07:04 AM

I'm still in the foothills of computing, but I think it's essential to learn the basics of protection if you are going to use the internet
I always flinch when, after having spent five minute say looking for a hotel in Dublin, within an hour you are inundated with offers from sites you haven't visited - Big Brother really is watching you.
I'm told that no anti-virus software will protect you of any major threat.
'Super Antispyware' and 'Avast' seem to be the best freebies, the ones you have to buy are expensive and, as I understand, not much more effective.
This latest problem couldn't have come at a worse time for me.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Stanron
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 09:41 AM

You are probably going to hate me for this but the answer to the computer virus problem is Linux. Windows has been designed, by accident, to be particularly vulnerable to virus infection. Linux isn't. Also the number of people using Linux is not currently large enough to attract virus programmers. And even if people did write viruses for Linux, as long as you keep your data separate and backed up, it's a doddle to wipe the drive and re-install the system. Linux is free. It's probably easier to install any of the Linux systems than Windows. It's not rocket science, any one can learn to do it.

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Rapparee
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 09:56 AM

I agree! Or use Apple -- fewer write for the iOS than for Windows (which, despite the claims, is still based in DOS, which was based on Unix, which is the base for Linux and iOS, and so we come full circle. But don't worry about this historical and hysterical stuff).

Or just don't open it if you have the slightest doubt, and remember that if it seems too good to be true it probably is and that nobody gives stuff away for free. Delete it and make sure to empty your "recycle bin" now and then.

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Senoufou
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 10:42 AM

I ordered some - ahem - garments from M&S online yesterday, and today received in my e mail inbox an offer to 'win an M&S voucher for £500'. There was something not quite right about the title, and it wasn't even from M&S, so I deleted it and emptied the 'trash'. The thing is, how did these folk know I'd ordered from M&S? It can't be a coincidence, as I've had this happen before when ordering things online. (Tesco clothes for example) It's always 'an opportunity to win a voucher...' etc. Does it mean there's a spy/virus in my laptop watching what I'm buying and from whom?

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Stanron
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 10:47 AM

Senoufou wrote: Does it mean there's a spy/virus in my laptop watching what I'm buying and from whom?

Isn't it called Google?

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 08:50 PM

You leave a trail of information behind you when you browse, even when you don't allow many of the cookies to be used. Private browsing can avoid that, but it makes it difficult to log onto regular sites.

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: ripov
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 08:55 PM

Its name is legion. Google is one of its names.
Your advice, Stanron, to keep data seperated from the operating system, is good, regardless of which operating system. I find it unbelievable that MS STILL doesn't use a seperate data (documents) partition as a matter of course, but allows users documents to be filed where they will be deleted if the OS is reinstalled.
Another bit of good advice is to set your browser up to delete everything (cookies, passwords, forms etc) that it has stored, every time you close it. The only downside is that you have to log in to mudcat every time you post, or else be named as "guest", and possibly regarded as a troll!

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Stanron
Date: 20 Sep 16 - 10:14 PM

Trolls is trolls and guests is guests. I like to think I can tell which is which.

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 04:13 AM

It's been suggested by my computer repair man that the number of attacks I'm being subjected to come from one site I'm using and are being specifically targeted.
The last time this happen was when the BNP targeted several of us on this forum and hacked into our Facebook profiles - don't wish to spread alarm, but just as well to bear in mind.
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Mr Red
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 04:55 AM

Goggle will find you because they are on so many sites reporting back. I never use Goggle for searches. But my BT (notso) Hotspot has to be refreshed because it disconnects whenever it feels like it. Which is why my recent post here is invisible. I searched for a specific pub to get PostCode & OSGR data on it for map.mister.red and the BT page (uses Goggle as the search engine) duly puts up an ad for that pub. Most ads are for things totally out of my surfing history and interest, which is great, but Goggle is learning fast.

The cloning of Farcebook accounts (not hacked as such) is the current one fooling everyone. Why would I befriend a friend again? But Farcebook users friend so many they forget and agree. I have not fallen for it (yet) but I guess it is just a vector for the real nasty. Ads, shares, etc - eventually people will click on something, in sufficient numbers.

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Stanron
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 06:16 AM

I do, occasionally, delete all my cookies. The option will be in your browser tools or preferences somewhere. I then have to log into all the sites that require passwords and it is a bit of a pain but I'm prepared for it. I have a text document with sites and passwords (that is not called 'passwords') and stored with a load of other text files.

The last time I did it I was surprised to find I could not access a single youtube video without signing a waiver for Google to snoop on my computer. Try it.

I know this is not a virus or a scam and apologise for the thread drift. It's nice to vent irritation once in a while.

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Senoufou
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 07:42 AM

I always delete my browsing history (a thing under 'tools' gives you the choice of 'last hour' down to 'the beginning of time', and I always choose the latter) Also my Chrome laptop seems to want me to be 'browsing as guest' and tells me it will not save anything after I shut it down, so it looks as though there's no trace of where I've been so to speak. I'm not on Facebook or Twitter (can't see the point of those)
I can access Youtube, and do, quite a lot. It doesn't block me at all.
I do sometimes wonder why all these 'hot ladies' want to play with me, as I never watch porn or anything like that. Perhaps my e mail site lets them in. I also get rather fascinating e mails in my Spam all in Scandinavian languages. Some hot Swede must have taken a shine to me.

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Stanron
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 08:44 AM

Doesn't Google own Chrome? Perhaps by running Chrome you automatically give Google permission to snoop.

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Senoufou
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 08:57 AM

I didn't know that Stanron. I bet they think I'm the most boring internet user they've ever come across. I only do quizzes and puzzles, and occasionally look at shopping sites.
Same as this idea that all our telephone conversations are listened into. If 'they' are tapping into me and my friends yapping on for ages, they'll soon fall fast asleep.
Sigh. I do find all this modern technology so complicated and confusing. Luckily, my husband knows a bit more than I do.

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: leeneia
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 09:37 AM

Hi, Senoufou.   Here's another thing you can do.

On my computer, there's a small, gray set of lines in the upper right corner of my Internet screens. It represents a menu. Click on it, and it will get big.

One of the choices is "New incognito window". If you click on it, the next window you open will not go into your history, and cookies that it requires will be deleted. It's a good idea to use it when you are spending money, checking your bank account, visiting your broker's site, etc.

You can learn more by googling this:

what does incognito window mean?
=================
I'm glad your Scandinavians are winding up in the spam.

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Senoufou
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 10:19 AM

That's interesting leeneia, and thank you for that. I looked and there was just 'new window' (nothing about incognito), and when I clicked on it, it put on my screen a 'browsing as guest' sign, but that's my status anyway on this laptop. I seem to be a guest on my own machine! At least as a 'guest' my browsing isn't saved.
I don't do banking online, but of course, when I buy...er...underwear from M&S, I pay for it online. But their site is said to be secure.
I wonder if I'm missing out with these Scandinavians.... they might be quite tasty. At my age, one has to take any offers one gets! (Don't tell my husband will you?)
By the way, I think I've said this before on a thread about cats, but my 3 Siamese have an endearing way of 'talking' to me. When I ask the eldest (Smoky) what he wants for Christmas, he always says "Laptop!" as clear as day!! My husband says he wants to look at Siamese dating sites! (Not much good to him, as he's been neutered) (Smoky, not my husband)

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 10:36 AM

I've just opened the Rod Stradling thread on this forum
The word 'download' in Stradling's post was highlighted - when I attempted to open it, it sdiplayed a totally unrelated site and I immediately received a 'virus threat' message from my Avast protection.
I noticed a similar oddly highlighted word on another thread
May be a coincidence
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: DaveRo
Date: 21 Sep 16 - 12:55 PM

Jim: you have a type of malware that turns words on a website into popups. Google (or whatever) for how to remove it.

Subject: RE: BS: New Virus Scam
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 22 Sep 16 - 03:41 AM

Thanks Dave - but I was referring to pop-ups that were appearing on this forum in messages on this thread.
I've noticed two so far, one on Rod Stradling's message about the Musical Traditions Albums, and another on a message from Dick Miles - a blue-highlighted word opens up a pop-up.
Both normalised as shortly after they appeared, so I assume they have been dealt with elsewhere.
My personal problems have been identified as currently circulating viruses (I suppose that should be Virii) and are being dealt with.
When my PC is sorted (later today, I hope), I'll drop in my lap-to, which seems also to be under attack.
Thanks for the advice.
Jim Carroll