posted
Whilst designing on my computer yesterday, a pop up box appears on the screen.
Instantly it starting deleting everything in the Monumental Design files...the last place I imported a file from.
After 3 seconds of looking at the screen in disbelief, I hit the cancel and it stopped. It deleted 200 files off the "main frame" computer I was networked to, which is a new HP Media Center PC m7367c, which is loaded with anti-virus software.
recovermyfiles.com was where we had to go to get the software needed to find and restore these files. Sadly, some could not be opened again.
If I had not been sitting at the computer when this pop-up box came on, I would have lost the entire hard drive no doubt.
Just an FYI of what can get through your virus protection program.
posted
Bummer Dave! As I type using my HP, I would say that you have 2 strikes against you. One is Norton and the other is the HP (which I'll never buy again), and the hacker made strike 3. Hopefully you had back ups! Are you using firewall hardware/software too?
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Dave, "getdataback" for NTFS is great for finding files and retrieving them. Often when they're deleted, the reference to their whereabouts is lost, but the file is still on the hard drive. This program in a crude sense, finds them again.
Did you do a search to see what it was that got through to do that to you?
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
Deri, Not from the anti-virus software...but from somewhere.
Last place I was in was my e-mail, downloaded an eps file from a client to start a vehicle lettering.
The virus got through my computer (with up to date virus protection, then attacked the network files on our "main frame" computer.
We have the computer that runs the T-jet printer, the computer that runs the CNC router, the computer that runs the Gerber plotter all networked with the "main frame" which runs the VersaCam SP540.
The virus attacked my computer(geber omega/plotter /edge, but started deleting files off the "share folder" in the "Versacamm" computer(we call the main fraim) and it started in the Monument Designs folder, which contains EVERYTHING needed to run that business.
This must be a new virus that hasn't been caught and fixed yet.
An associate of mine is a semi-former hacker. According to him, Norton is one of the worst anti-virus programs on the market. McAfee isn't much better. He and some of his buddies hack Norton on a regular basis just for kicks. They don't do it to see what trouble the can cause, but to see what needs to be done to further protect the servers for his company's computers. He told me that of all the anti-virus programs, Norton is the easiest to hack.
My design computer crashed this Monday morning. I was using McAfee and I had all of the most recent updates. I spoke to my "hacker friend" and he suggested I get rid of McAfee and install either Kaspersky or BitDefender. Of the two, he felt that Kaspersky was the better.
So after restoring the computer and uninstalling McAfee, I installed BitDefender and ran a scan. It found 9 viruses, two trojans and a worm that McAfee had missed. I suspect that is what caused my computer to crash like it did.
Right now, everthing seems to be running fine but I'm going to keep an eye on things for a while. I don't want to have to lose another 10 hours repairing and restoring the system again.
posted
My Norton is about to renew. After this post I think I might try something else. How do you go about getting that "Bitdefender" or the "Kaspersky"?
Scary crap man.
-------------------- Snow's Sign Works 865-908-0076 snowman@planetc.com www.snowsigns.com
I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message... Posts: 1640 | From: Sevierville, TN | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
I have never installed a Norton product that it didn't become a worse problem than the one it was supposed to fix. For that reason I don't allow Norton products on my computers.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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Dave, you also need to make sure you have a good firewall in place. Preferably have your router configured as a firewall, as the Windows built-in firewall is not adequate for your server. It's a good idea to run both a software AND a hardware firewall on a server if it has access to the internet.
Another thing I do is limit the internet access and no email setup on my server. This effectively limits the ways malicious programs can infect the system.
An anti-virus program should eliminate trojan horses, viruses, and worms after they are on your system, but the firewall will help protect you from unauthorized access of your computer.
It sounds like you got hit with a Trojan horse or virus which may have come in on some program or file you received and installed on your computer lately. Almost all of these malicious programs are in an executable file that must be run by the user at some point, before they can cause damage.
Edited to add some preaching to the choir...
[ August 30, 2006, 01:29 PM: Message edited by: Jon Jantz ]
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
I think all we can really do is back up regularly. Sorry to hear of your troubles.
I back up to HD for quick fixes, and DVD for long term. I need to duplicate my DVD backups and put them somewhere else in case of fire, flood, frogs, etc.
posted
Jon, I had AVG and loved it too I tried a download of Microsoft OneCare and it found 9 items that AVG didn't so it goes to show you that one program can do what others miss.
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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yes Norton is for the birds lol several that are a great deal better and free even..... like AVG,...many like this one, ...Avast,... likes cause it's simple been using for a couple years now, ....Ativir,... great for dial up cause small and fast have on other cpu for many years ....oh yes lets not forget... Nod32... very strong along with... bitdefender... takes some understanding to work it better but tops in anti virus software yes 30 day trials are fun to rome around till ya like one....oh to take out.. Norton.. you may lose drives or other stuff... also go back and make sure you have removed every thing check other areas ...you got that virus from attachment in the email not from person sending but some other auto bot in server maybe......yes they are everywhere ....THANK YOU & ENJOY LIFE
posted
Bob, I agree, it is important to run several different programs to protect against viruses and spyware. There's not one program out there that seems to catch everything. Were the files that OC picked up serious viruses or fairly innocuous files that could arguably just be spyware?
There is such a fine line between spyware, viruses, worms and Trojan horses (they are all different, contrary to popular belief) that what some AV programs consider viruses, others may not. Luckily most of these files are not highly dangerous items.
I use AVG Professional for antivirus. Hardware and Windows firewall for unauthorized access protection. Ad-Aware SE and HiJack This for ad-ware elimination.
This combination has worked well for me so far.
[ August 30, 2006, 01:46 PM: Message edited by: Jon Jantz ]
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
Sorry to hear you got infected....those porn sites can be pretty scary I hear.
I use McAfee...have for several years...and have not had any problems...
Norton has been a nightmare in the past, I agree.
I guess i've been lucky in that I don't have a firewall setup...software or hardware...seems like when I had it setup it caused issues getting files or something...it's been awhile.
Jon..I did have WEP encription setup..is that considered a firewall of sorts?
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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posted
My best protection is to avoid using Outlook and Internter Explorer at all cost.
Next is to use a good router to stealth my machine from the internet. And the next is a good 2 way firewall. This means that the firewall detects and reports every thing comming and going. XP firewall only blocks things comming in.
IF I use a antivirus it is AVG free.
But the single best protection is simply not use M$ products in the first place.
Outlook is wide open if you allow it to preview your email. This allows a virus to activate on your machine as soon as you open Outlook.
Just for the record. Too many websites scan back to your machine after you leave their site. If you have a good firewall you will know what I am talking about. Normal access is thru port 80. These sites are comming back into your machine via ports 1000 to around ports 4000. Normally its no problem, BUT it is a access point for malware.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
YEs people do like it. But it also has parts easily exploited.. That is why the malware got sto be such a huge problem..
quote: preview pane" show the message...however, as I understand it...it's not "downloaded" until you click it open....
How can you preview it if it is not downloaded?
It is downloaded. And IF it is a malware email it is infecting your machine while you read it. Its that simple.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
My nre laptop I'm using now came with a trail version of Norton, always hated Norton, and this thing pops up a window every hour with a loud and distracting "DING! DING! DING!" to alert me that I should buy it now....it's so anoying I've turned off the sound. Always used AVG free, I don't understand how firewalls work, or if I have one and if I don't how do I get one. It's all such a pain! A:)
quote:Originally posted by Curtis hammond: YEs people do like it. But it also has parts easily exploited.. That is why the malware got sto be such a huge problem..
quote: preview pane" show the message...however, as I understand it...it's not "downloaded" until you click it open....
How can you preview it if it is not downloaded?
It is downloaded. And IF it is a malware email it is infecting your machine while you read it. Its that simple.
Yep, you have to disable the Preview Pane because that's the same thing as opening the email!
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
I also have all my email sent to a Hotmail acct, that way (as I understand it)you're viewing your mail from a remote location and connot download into your computer unless you actually download it on purpose. A:)
posted
Todd, the WEP encryption only works on your wireless network. It is designed to give you the same (supposed) security of a wired network. It's different than a firewall.
Like Curtis said, there are viruses that can infect through the Outlook preview pane. They are rare, and most if not all of them can be avoided by making sure Outlook is not set to automatically run HTML and other scripts. I believe Outlook 2003 or anything newer defaults to that security setting.
With an anti-virus program like AVG that checks incoming Email, the right security settings and the latest updates you are pretty much eliminating the danger of viruses running from the preview pane.
For a while, viruses could attack your computer through downloaded email that was never even opened OR previewed through a weakness in the message header. I think MS has fixed that one.
Finally, the only way to COMPLETELY safeguard yourself against a virus is to totally disconnect from the internet, quit using email and never run a file or program from anyone for any reason.. but then lightning will hit your house and destroy your surge protector, motherboard, and hard drive. YOU CAN'T WIN.
[ August 30, 2006, 04:17 PM: Message edited by: Jon Jantz ]
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
We still use Norton here and haven't had a problem YET. However we did just put in a new computer system in the art room. Along with a new back up system. It consists of a 160 gigabyte removable drive. Now we have a lot of archived art that isn't on there yet but we do have casamte pro, inspire, illustrator CS, and photoshop and windows office installed on the computer, along with other data, about 45 gigs worth. The back up take less than nine minutes. These are restorable drives so we could lose the entire system and be back up and running in a couple of hours. I bought 2 drives, we back up after hours and I take the other one home every night. Most we can be out is a days work. I know that can sometimes be a lot, but it is waaaaay better than the alternative. The drives were 240.00 each and the software 110.00. Pretty cheap insurance I'd say. JFYI
-------------------- Robert M. Kistler South Bend Screen Process, Inc. 2018 S. Franklin St. South Bend IN 46613 Posts: 131 | From: South Bend Indiana | Registered: Jul 2003
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Todd..My DSL provider does the same thing as your cable provider. Norton hasn't had a chance to pop up that big red alert window in 3 or 4 years. But I do get messages that the e-mail server has blo cked e-mail because of a virus.
With a combination of router, Norton AV, Zone Alarm firewall and Spysweeper I think I am pretty well covered. Even run Spybot Search and Destroy every once in a while.
Edited to add: Decided to run Spybot while I was thinking of it..Completely clean..Guess Spysweeper is doing it's job.
[ August 30, 2006, 05:19 PM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Brian..Thanks for the link..utilizing the free online BitDefender right now..I'll edit/update when it is finished.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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