*headdesk*
Got hit by that stupid XP Internet Security virus last night. Fun times. My first clue that it was a virus (other than AVAST screaming at me about trojans and worms - apparently it comes packaged with some presents) was that it demanded that I pay for a registered copy of XP Internet Security to remove the "infected files." Also, it hijacked my wallpaper to put up an ugly "OMG WE HAVE A BREACH!!!" panic sign and it "scanned" my computer for viruses in less than a minute to discover 30 infected files.
On the plus side, it hit my crappy desktop which I mostly use for surfing and random crap. My laptop is still safe. (Of course, the first thing I did was make sure all my anti-virus stuff was up-to-date.) Which means I could find the solution on the interwebs. Also, I have discovered that those "30 infected files" actually crucial to the OS. Whew!
Fun thing of note: The new XP Internet Security virus hijacks your browser so that, among other things, you can't download new anti-viral software to get rid of it (Malware Bytes Anti-Malware appears to be the go-to for this baby). Normally, you'd have to go through a second computer, get the program, and transfer it to the infected computer. Turns out, though, that Chrome works fine. :D
Annoying thing: The virus actually hijacks stuff so that you can't open certain programs unless it's open too, and it'll automatically open when you try to open certain other programs (like an internet browser - except Chrome). On the plus side, everything opens up and runs nicely in Safe Mode. Or, you know, you could just leave the irritating virus windows ("OMG YOU'RE TOTALLY INFECTED!!!!") open.
Given that my desktop PC is approaching 10 years and this is the first major incursion (I had a worm or two a few months ago - I only noticed when they tried to eat finaira's USB key), I'm not too irritated. I'd be more freaked out if my laptop was hijacked. (Note to self: it's backup time again!)
On the plus side, it hit my crappy desktop which I mostly use for surfing and random crap. My laptop is still safe. (Of course, the first thing I did was make sure all my anti-virus stuff was up-to-date.) Which means I could find the solution on the interwebs. Also, I have discovered that those "30 infected files" actually crucial to the OS. Whew!
Fun thing of note: The new XP Internet Security virus hijacks your browser so that, among other things, you can't download new anti-viral software to get rid of it (Malware Bytes Anti-Malware appears to be the go-to for this baby). Normally, you'd have to go through a second computer, get the program, and transfer it to the infected computer. Turns out, though, that Chrome works fine. :D
Annoying thing: The virus actually hijacks stuff so that you can't open certain programs unless it's open too, and it'll automatically open when you try to open certain other programs (like an internet browser - except Chrome). On the plus side, everything opens up and runs nicely in Safe Mode. Or, you know, you could just leave the irritating virus windows ("OMG YOU'RE TOTALLY INFECTED!!!!") open.
Given that my desktop PC is approaching 10 years and this is the first major incursion (I had a worm or two a few months ago - I only noticed when they tried to eat finaira's USB key), I'm not too irritated. I'd be more freaked out if my laptop was hijacked. (Note to self: it's backup time again!)