I have virus.

[Dawn Marie]

You know, that bad one that's been going around lately. I got an email from someone, opened the attachment... cuz I thought it was from my friend Sarah. It was a screensaver, supposedly. That's what it said anyway. But it was just a nasty virus. People have been telling me I have to reformat my comp now. Is this true? And if so, how on earth would I go about it? I don't know anything...

Someone please help me.

 

[Blynn]

I am a total computer dim wit, but may I ask if you have virus software?

 

[Dawn Marie]

I do. I think.

 

[Blynn]

Well, has your software isolated the virus or anything like that?

 

[seebs]

In general, you can do pretty well by getting current anti-virus software and running it. You may or may not need to reformat, but my first step would be to run anti-virus software.

 

[Dawn Marie]

My anti-virus software does not work anymore, since I found out about the virus... it won't run.

 

[Apologist]

Do you know what virus it is?

Does your computer work OK?

 

[Apologist]

Originally posted by seebs
In general, you can do pretty well by getting current anti-virus software and running it. You may or may not need to reformat, but my first step would be to run anti-virus software.

This info is good except......if the virus is in the boot sector of the hard drive the software won't find it unless you have 'clean' boot disks with the antivirus on them

 

[lithium.]

Originally posted by Apologist
This info is good except......if the virus is in the boot sector of the hard drive the software won't find it unless you have 'clean' boot disks with the antivirus on them

Yeah there are some viruses that do get into the boot sector but most of the viruses out there don't do that.

 

[Apologist]

Originally posted by XangelX
My anti-virus software does not work anymore, since I found out about the virus... it won't run.

Go to Symantec's web site here and click on the 'Scan For Viruses' link:

http://security.symantec.com/ssc/home.asp?j=1&langid=us&venid=sym&plfid=20&pkj=XCJVWHFHMFNZMBBXLKU

 

[mala]

to be honest if i were in your shoes, and i have been on 3 different occasions, i would recommend that you just go ahead and do the reformat

it is a complete pain but in the long run its the best thing to do if there is any chance that you still have the virus.

 

[Apologist]

This whole thread is a good example of why we should get a good anti-virus program and keep it up to date.

I recommend everyone buy Symantec's Norton's 2003 Internet Security program which gives you a firewall, content filter for objectionable web sites, and the best anti-virus program out there. You can do a live update of all of the Norton products installed on a daily basis and keep you protected from this stuff. I have seen the Norton's 2003 Internet Security selling for about $40. online.........Well worth the money!

God bless

 

[mala]

Originally posted by Apologist
This whole thread is a good example of why we should get a good anti-virus program and keep it up to date.

I recommend everyone buy Symantec's Norton's 2003 Internet Security program which gives you a firewall, content filter for objectionable web sites, and the best anti-virus program out there. You can do a live update of all of the Norton products installed on a daily basis and keep you protected from this stuff. I have seen the Norton's 2003 Internet Security selling for about $40. online.........Well worth the money!

God bless

i agree with that
cept for the part of internet security

i would only buy norton anti virus on its own and then either dl the free version of zone alarm or buy the pro version.

i believe zone alarm is hands down the better firewall.