Tech: BEWARE Fake websites - malware

Subject: Tech: BEWARE Fake websites - malware
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 29 Apr 20 - 09:55 AM

It was very late at night, I was half asleep, I'd been hours trying to fix issues on 2 computers..

It looked like a genuine Toshiba Drivers download site...

Bollocks...!!!

So I'm back online now after nearly 3 days trying to de-malware this PC;
with the hope of avoiding a fresh Win 8.1 re-install..

Yes, it can happen to even the most cautious, security OCD, folks like me..

One tired careless lapse of judgement slip up - takes mere seconds..

Bloody good job I don't drive cars or lorries late at night on motorways...

Subject: RE: Tech: BEWARE Fake websites - malware
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Apr 20 - 10:41 AM

I noticed a piece of malware got past the regular security software and was spotted by Malwarebytes yesterday. I don't remember downloading anything recently so it must have come in from a website.

Pernicious stuff.

Subject: RE: Tech: BEWARE Fake websites - malware
From: Nick
Date: 29 Apr 20 - 12:46 PM

Hard luck easily done. It is another reason why I keep an up to date clone of my drive and back up frequently. If I make a mistake and trash the machine I might use one or two files but no programs and no hassle.

Glad you are not downloading software while driving a lorry or car late at night. That sounds quite dangerous.

And anything I am the least nervous about I download into a virtual machine first and deal with it there. I rarely download anything direct to my machine now if I have the slightest concern.

No one likes a smart ass but I learned from my last computer crash and have the zeal of the reformed and would recommend it to anyone

Subject: RE: Tech: BEWARE Fake websites - malware
From: Nick
Date: 29 Apr 20 - 12:54 PM

I reckon it would take me 5-10 minutes to be back in business rather than days. And maintaining it takes a few minutes. I have most of what I need on the machine now so don't need a lot of new software. All I would do is flatten the disk with the malware and replace it with the clone. Format the malwared one and create a new clone. Highly recommended. The thing that takes the time is finding everything and reloading or getting rid of rubbish (my sons once gave me the present of a rootkit which was interesting) and then wondering whether it is totally clean

Total cost was about £35 in hard drive purchase and a little docking thing to make it easy.

Subject: RE: Tech: BEWARE Fake websites - malware
From: Nick
Date: 29 Apr 20 - 01:03 PM

March when he last had this come up and December before that

The cost has gone up as I bought a little docking station

Subject: RE: Tech: BEWARE Fake websites - malware
From: EBarnacle
Date: 29 Apr 20 - 01:40 PM

My antivirus program has advised me on two separate occasions that offers on the ArcaMax site seem to contain malware in their links. Their main articles have been safe so far.

Subject: RE: Tech: BEWARE Fake websites - malware
From: JHW
Date: 01 May 20 - 05:30 AM

Played something using v-l-c player and up jumped a box saying 'an update is available' download etc. My AV said dodgy and so did the good old laptop so left alone.

Subject: RE: Tech: BEWARE Fake websites - malware
From: Nick
Date: 01 May 20 - 01:29 PM

VLC - if it's the upgrade to 3.0.10 Vetinari it doesn't appear to have any AV problems. At least on my machine that's the case using Norton Security Ultra