Help, I got a virus!

[Omeletter]

Basically I was browsing Facebook fan pages, and there was one that gave me a virus that is going to my Browser Cache folder. I clicked Deny access when I saw it, and immediatly I cleared my cache. Would it hurt anything? There's no file like that anymore in that folder, but I was wondering what bad can happen?

[phoneyLogic]

If your AntiVirus Software seeked and removed it, you should be save. It's always helpfull to get some Information about the Virus too. But how did you get the Virus? What's your browser?

[LHammonds]

The reason why we block FaceBook and MySpace at work is due to viruses that can bypass antivirus software and completely destroy a PC. We had 3 destroyed beyond repair before we started blocking those two sites.

 

The virus you saw was most-likely stopped by your AV but if one gets through your AV, you won't know it until it is too late.

 

LHammonds

[bben46]

What bad can happen?

Your computer could have been compromised. Any financial information could have been taken such as if you have ever used a credit card to buy or pay on line.

If you use your computer to pay bills - they could have the information to clean out your checking account.

They will have your email accounts and can use them to send spam in your name to your friends.

They can take over your computer and use it to send spam or in a ddos attack (zombie computer)

And you wouldn't notice it at all.

 

They have your facebook profile info and all of your facebook pals and the info they shared with you.

 

But worst of all, they now have access to your entire porn collection.

 

Go here for the best advice I know of for really getting rid of viruses.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

[LHammonds]

But worst of all, they now have access to your entire porn collection.

That's no biggie because we all have the same collection because we all got it from you. :tongue:

 

EDIT: It's called Blu-Ray backup baby!!!

[bben46]

I know that ain't so because you don't have a big enough hard drive.

[Fifoo]

I know that ain't so because you don't have a big enough hard drive.

Sounds it's time for us to buy a fully high cap Hdd chain now... :biggrin:

[Vagrant0]

EDIT: It's called Blu-Ray backup baby!!!

Not enough space to fully chronicle my descent into depravity. Sure, I could use more than one, but I tried that with DVDs a few years back and got weird looks when anyone saw my tower of porn. And of course, multiple discs means the chance that you'll lose some or have it found by those who you don't want to see it. But I digress.

 

In most cases, when you get a virus warning, it's a good idea to do what you did, close browser, clear cache, and run scans before doing anything else. It's also a good idea to look through your active processes and services to see if there's anything unusual. If nothing looks to be out of sorts, continue as normal, but steer clear of those locations and avoid doing anything particularly sensitive (like doing your taxes) until enough time has passed for you to know that nothing is unusual with your computer.

[Fifoo]

Good point Vagrant0.

 

It would be a good idea after that to make repeatedly scans several times as AV viruses signatures are often updated (sometimes hourly) and even in safe mode or with a clean bootable CDrom tools - before that, use CCleaner (free) to clean-up your system, make a complete AV scan then completely shut-down your system to purge memories banks. Power-up your PC, enter your Bios Setup to configure the boot sequence on CDrom, save your Bios Setup and launch the boot procedure with the safe bootable CDrom tools in your Disk Drive and scan again your HDDs.

 

Just obey the simple rules, look before you click, keep patches and definitions up to date. Safest policy is to always backup your computer, you may have to start from scratch if the infection is too bad, but you at least will have your documents.

Edited April 29, 2010 by Fifoo

[Illiad86]

wow, lol, seriously...my dad, grandma, mom, mother-in-law, and friend all got a virus from Facebook, and believe me, it's not pretty...guess it all depends on what you got, but it just trashed my friend's computer. Nothing a reformat doesn't fix though. Come to find that it takes just as long to get rid of the stinkers as it is to reformat. I'd rather do that anyways, a fresh start is always nice hehe :smile:

 

Another reason I don't use it and never will.

 

EDIT by LHammonds: A re-format did not fix the 3 PCs that were trashed at my company. Yep, the viruses were that bad...hence the only two sites that are blocked in our firewall!