What not to do, if a browser tells you you've got a virus

[Tusk]

I don't know how it happens, I've heard people put them in ads that they sell to unknowing websites, so it could happen when you are looking at a 'legit' site.

It's happened to me three times, and not on some suspect site, luckily, I knew what NOT to do after the first time

I think this is how I got a virus while I was at Lolla, and the leaked songs came out: I click a link, a browser opens up that tells me Warning! a virus has been detected, then lists a dozen virus/trojans that are detected. Then there is "click here to run system scan". Of course, I click it, which downloads the virus. They mimic a virus protection program, and panicked, you instinctively click it.

Point is. IF you get a virus, your antivirus woudn't be telling you that in a browser window. Close your window (upper right X) then scan your computer using your anti-virus software

The Virus disabled my anti virus, closed any windows I tried to open within seconds (to prevent me from going online to fix it) and basically rendered my computer useless, unless I bought their 'antivirus software' enter credit card etc....

Luckily, I had a restore point to go to, after hours of trying anything to clear the virus, then ran my scan to remove the Trojan

Bottom line, as alarming as a virus warning is, take a breath, then make sure it's your anti virus software telling you and not your browser. (Restore Points are your friend too)

-Also, if a website asks you to download software to run something, it's always more prudent to go to the legit site for that download and get it from there... ie Adobe for flash

[Tom22]

Good stuff.

Big additional issue. The sites put up boxes that essentially freeze your browser (and almost the whole computer sometimes) and have these boxes asking you to click on them.. but the boxes don't look exactly like a typical windows pop up box. I suspect they mask the look of it and sort of hover their image over a "are you sure you want to download this " button.

However they do it, I'm wary about even clicking the X to close their little fabricated box.

I'll go down to the bottom of my computer and right click and close the browser entirely.. from outside the browser program. That's really a pain if you have other browser tabs that you were viewing that got closed. But obviously its far better than the only other way to close it that might download something by secretly having you assent to do so.

Your suggestion of going direct to the companies site in a new browser window instead of clicking on a link is a great way to procede unless you're entirely sure the site that recommends it would screen all of the people paying to adverstise on their site. Very often it is the advertisements on the site, not the site content itself, that is at fault.

Do that always with your bank or paypal or email provider too. "We need to update your information" should be a RED TAG .

Close the email. Go interdependently to that site via a verified google link (for big companies they do place the official site at the to) or a bookmark you have (probably the best) been to before that you know is the site. Typing it from a statment you need to be very careful as crooks will have web sites with names that exploit common typos.

If you go to the real site (say paypal or amazon) and you see everything is in order you can bet the email was a "phishing" attempt.

I'm sure 95% of the people know these things but.. I don't mind reminding myself again either. In a moment of frustration or desire (to hear a Haley video) it is so tempting just to click OK

[Haleylvr4evr]

Luckily for me, my dad has his own computer business so if I ever have a problem he can fix it for me! And every so often I run a scan with an anti-virus program he installed so to make sure nothing is there.

[mercfan3]

another trick is combofix.

Now, only use it as a last resort. If you've ever had a virus/trojan/worm (that's what I actually had to use it for, the first time. That was a terrible experience.) and your software isn't getting rid of it. Combofix is a godsend.

Once again, it's a last resort. It REALLY cleans your computer.

[buzzenator]

another trick is combofix.

Now, only use it as a last resort. If you've ever had a virus/trojan/worm (that's what I actually had to use it for, the first time. That was a terrible experience.) and your software isn't getting rid of it. Combofix is a godsend.

Once again, it's a last resort. It REALLY cleans your computer.

My combofix...listening to Haley and having a hard cider (maybe 2)...works every time.

[cherelann]

another trick is combofix.

Now, only use it as a last resort. If you've ever had a virus/trojan/worm (that's what I actually had to use it for, the first time. That was a terrible experience.) and your software isn't getting rid of it. Combofix is a godsend.

Once again, it's a last resort. It REALLY cleans your computer.

My combofix...listening to Haley and having a hard cider (maybe 2)...works every time.

If you have 3 hard ciders you might win the trifecta, Sir Buzzalot...

In keeping with the theme of this thread, my computer was really being wonky. I had several crash dump episodes and I had to use system restore every time I had to restart. Needless to say, it was a pain in my arse. So finally I used the factory restore option and everything seems to be copacetic.