Tech: Just got a virus (I think)

Subject: Just got a virus (I think)
From: GUEST,John A
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 06:54 AM

I've just received an email from an unknown source including an attachment of a file: sucatreg.exe

I know enough not to have executed it

Searches of the Symantec and McAfee virus libaries bought nothing up.

There was a message on the virus.com website, in on of their forums, here, which suggests I've been sent W32/Magistr-A

Am I at any risk if I don't execute it? The mail appears to be a mailing from a single individual who uses the same ISP. Should I mail this individual back to warn him / her, or contact the ISP?

Thanks for your thoughts

John A

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 07:02 AM

John, click here

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: GUEST,John A
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 07:49 AM

Thanks GUEST, but that's the same information that I linked to from my initial thread (virus.com forumhere)

Any opinions on infection if I don't execute it, or the other queries welcomed, thanks

John A

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: jeffp
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 08:09 AM

If you don't execute the file, you should be safe. If it came from someone you know you should probably contact them to warn them that they are sending a virus around. If it's someone you don't know, you might warn them, but it would be a good idea to contact the ISP also.

The person who sent it to you might not have done so maliciously. In fact, they might not have done it at all. Someone else could have opened a "back door" into their system and is using it to send out this virus.

Hope this helps.

jeffp

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: catspaw49
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 11:59 AM

Just dump it and be safe. Notify your friend as Jeff said. Never take a chance.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: Jon W.
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 12:18 PM

Amen to that. I spent all last week recovering two of my PC's from a virus known as SirCam which propogates itself via e-mail attachments. The e-mails seem to come from acquaintances. Don't take the risk.

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 12:51 PM

I have Norton anti-virus, but for EXTRA safety, I just installed AVG anti-virus it is FREE... FREE.. FREE..and it is GOOD..GOOD...GOOD... it is easy to install and walks you gently thru all safety checks and has automatic updates if you wish...totally configurable!....

(they have a note up explaining that they are busy these days, but have added a new site for downloads!)

If you are NOT protected, do yourself a favor....

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: GUEST,John A
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 12:54 PM

Thanks everyone.

Just after I posted, I got an email from the ISP warning me about it, and giving instructions for dealing with it.

Thanks again

John

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: Goody2Shz
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 01:13 PM

I swear by Norton's Internet Security and Personal Firewall. I have DSL. Not only does Norton catch and quaranteen any virus that is attached to an email, it protects me from hackers. I can't tell you how many times a hacker has tried to use a back door to get at my system. Norton stopped them dead in their tracks.

Well worth the money I spent for the software.

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: GUEST,Fred
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 11:23 PM

I recently got both magister and SirCam. McAfee cleared the magister one (unfortunately not before I opened it) and Symantec (Norton) had a stand alone free download that cleared out the SirCam (again, unfortunately...etc.) The neighbor who sent the SirCam had a friend recommend a free download of a firewall that seems to be doing very well. The address is (somebody blue clicky it for me, please):
www.zonelabs.com/za_download_1.html

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: Goody2Shz
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 11:36 PM

Better yet -- somebody tell us HOW to blue clicky it.

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 11:42 PM

Zone Alarm Firewall very nice program...

there are others...Tiny Personal Firewall is one....and if anyone wants the old, but wonderful AtGuard, let me know. I have a copy of the last version released before Norton bought it and messed with it...

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 11:44 PM

" tell us HOW to blue clicky it." in the permathreads/FAQ at the top of the list, there are complete instructions...

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: Goody2Shz
Date: 07 Aug 01 - 11:49 PM

Thank you. I'm a newby out here. I'll eventually get the hang of it.

dmp

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 12:04 AM

yup...it takes a bit, but it ain't too hard..*grin*

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 12:15 AM

Welcome to Mudcat, Goody2Shz.

Tip-- leave the FAQ thread open in one window and cruise around the site in new windows opened from the links in the FAQ-- and use the FAQ to get answers you can see at the same time that you post at first, especially building blue clickies. Even if they get easier to do with the new upgrade coming, it's good to know how.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 06:41 AM

I remain surprised at the comfort some people place in their anti-vurs defences. At any given time there will be a tiny percentage of viruses out there to which no anti-virus programme has an answer. Tiny, but it is that percentage that does most damage, by and large, and sooner or later even a thoroughly vaccinated PC is likely to get infected.

The best defence is to have non-Microsoft operating system and non-MS browser both available on another drive. (Linux and Opera are probably best, limited only by the fact that fewer applications are written for them.) You can get effective versions up and running for vertually nothing, and so far they have been much neglected by the virus writers, who are focusing all their energies on Microsoft.

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 08:53 AM

Couldn't agree more with your statement about the comfort (denial?) factor people have about operating w/Microsoft virus software, Norton utilities, and the freebie download firewalls for MS systems.

And of course, as everyone else has pointed out to me in the other threads where I discuss Internet security,I know my devotion to Linux is the mark of being a paranoid fanatic. Nice to see at least one user who understands the fact that MS will always be vulnerable in just the ways you describe.

Ignorance is bliss until you have to lobotomize your system to deal with worms and viruses, or get a phone bill or credit card bill with charges you never made.

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 11:13 AM

Linux is indeed a good thing...and will be even better as more user-friendly installations are developed. It does require some time, and often money for more HD space. There are ways to have BOTH Linux and MS on one drive, by running things like "System Commander" or "Partition Manager"...but these also require space and investment.

As new machines become available with Linux installed, and drives of 20 GB+ become 'usual', folks will find it easier to deal with. Let's face it, for many, installing anything other than what came with their machine remains a daunting task.

Yes, Opera as a browser is one way to increase your safe & easy WWW experience, and I am using that about 50%of the time now....but I am still not happy with how they treat bookmarks and a couple other interface items....but Opera IS a currently available, workable weapon to dodge some bullets.

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: Goody2Shz
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 11:47 AM

By the way, Guys...I have LINUX installed on a different partition on all three of my computers on my home network. I am not in denial about Microsoft and its shortcomings. I just think that Norton is the best in regards to keeping me relatively safe while booted up in Microshit's OS.

There are always new viruses and annoyingly clever hackers. One or both will eventually get into one of my computers. Because I believe this, I do not have any personal data, credit card numbers or other financial-related data stored on any of my computers.

Goody doesn't want to lose 1 or 2Shz....

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Aug 01 - 12:54 PM

Using Linux exclusively for my home network (which is my work network) poses no problems, as anything can be done on it for the level applications small businesses use. It is, in fact, quite powerful and transparent, working with the available free and inexpensive software, and a copy of "Linux for Dummies".

One regularly do on-line banking with a major bank, do on-line credit card transactions, and data exchanges and downloads, easily deal with cookie monsters, etc. without near the amount of hassle/tedium/mistrust as working in MS.

It does require some self-training, but the point is, it IS quite possible to do it yourself with Linux if you really want a near worry free on-line life, and the joy of knowing you will pay a minute fraction of the cost of MS and Mac users over time for your overall computing costs FOREVER!

Subject: RE: Help: Just got a virus (I think)
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 02:40 AM

A one time...the "friends" met through BBS (like this) and newsgroups were the MOST infectious sources for virus infectations.

Keep ALL SHIELDS UP......

Try a "trial" download of "zone-alert" and then (24 hours later) ponder your connections.