[SEL] O.T. Need Computer Advice

[Jeff Allen]

Bill,

The Blaster Worm will shut down a computer. Not a true virus, but a worm. An
anti virus that is out of date won't catch it, and that is Paul's problem.
The Microsoft patch, and the virus definition have been out for almost a
year now. I just cleaned a system a couple weeks ago with the worm. I spent
about four hours cleaning and updating the computer, and that was on DSL.
There were over 25 Meg of Microsoft updates, and about the same for the anti
virus. There really is no excuse for this. So to you and all on the list:

Install all Microsoft critical updates weekly, and update your anti virus at
least once a week. Run a virus scan weekly, and most can be automated, so
there is no excuse. Install a firewall, or at least use the one that came
with XP. It's better than nothing. Also use Lavasoft Adaware for spyware.
It's free.

There is also another option. Pay someone like me or my buddy a couple
hundred bucks to clean up your mess. The system I did was for my cousin and
she was informed the next one won't be free. For more info on the worm check
out:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/blast.mspx

Regards,

Jeff Allen
Arvada, Colorado USA

http://oldengine.org/members/allen/
http://frapa.us/
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Dickerson" <bill at antique-engines.com>
To: "'The SEL email discussion list'" <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 1:32 PM
Subject: RE: [SEL] O.T. Need Computer Advice


> Paul, without a little time I can't tell you what it IS, but can tell you
> it's pretty much NOT a virus.
> It's amazing how many computer woes get blamed on viruses now days.
> It's usually easier than finding the real cause.
> Most computer ills are due to file corruption, file conflicts, ill-behaved
> software, spyware or hardware malfunctions. A real computer virus doesn't
> typically "disconnect".
> If NAV says you don't have a virus, you don't have one. They aren't magic
> and don't escape detection that easily.
>
> Bill
> (former anti-virus administrator for a very large financial company, and
> former Symantec support volunteer who just turned down a Symantec position
> in California)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: sel-bounces at lists.stationary-engine.com
> [mailto:sel-bounces at lists.stationary-engine.com] On Behalf Of Paul Maples
> Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 8:58 PM
> To: Stationary Engine List
> Subject: [SEL] O.T. Need Computer Advice
>
>
> Folks I am having a problem again that I had about a month ago and it is
> really frustrating. I connect to my ISP and check my e-mail but the minute
I
> try to use Internet Explorer it will disconnect my computer from the ISP
and
> I have to dial back up to get on line again. The last time I completely
done
> a Complete System Recovery, reformatted my hard drive and it has worked
> until now and it is starting it all over. I have Norton Internet Security
> (Professional) and I ran it and there are no virus's indicated. I have
> dumped every program on the PC except the absolute ones I have to have. I
> don't even want to think that I have to do another system recovery and
start
> all over again.
>
> Any ides from you computer guru's? I am on dial up, not DSL. I am
wondering
> if DSL would help solve some of these issues.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Paul
>
>
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