Getting infected...

pappi · Jun 6, 2013

While now and then I shut down my laptop, my wireless network is always on. Thus, when PC is on, I
always have instant accessability to internet. But I do not consider myself internet-connected until I actually open anything on the screen.(am I right? wrong?)

While I am almost sure an off PC should not get malwares, I have questions about when it is on, and has internet connectability.

SCENARIO: My laptop is on and the taskbar notification area indicates excellent connection to a wireless network....
in this scenario, can I be infected even when not computing, just being not shut down; what about say...On sleep? Hibernation? Idling with screensaver on?.

richc46 · Jun 6, 2013

I have never heard of a situation that a computer can become infected while off.
That being said those "people" out there are becoming more and more sophisticated in their attempt to infect computers. Recently a story ciruculated that some new computer were infected while still in the factory. It seems that the software that was downloaded was infected.
I think that if you keep your computer off, when not in use, you will not have a problem
Be sure that you have a good fire wall.
The type of infection that concers you can only do its work if you do not have a good firewall.
The other means of infections are via
downloads
email
infected sites, etc.
TY site advisor for the following
Howdoes a computer get infected with a virus or spyware?

Thereare literally dozens of different ways a computer can become infected withspyware, viruses, and other malware. Below is a list of the most common ways acomputer can contract these infections listed in the order we believe are mostcommonly done.
Acceptingwithout reading
One of the most common ways a computer becomes infected is theuser simply accepts what he or she sees on the screen without reading theprompt and/or understand what it's asking.
Some common examples:
1. While browsing the Internet, an Internet advertisement or windowappears that says your computer is infected and/or that a unique plug-in isrequired. Without fully understanding what it is you're getting, you accept theprompt.
2. When installing or updating a program, you're prompted (oftencheckboxes already checked) if it's ok to install additional programs that youmay not want or are designed to monitor your usage of the program.
Openinge-mail attachments
Another very common way people become infected with viruses andother spyware is by opening e-mail attachments,even when from a co-worker, friend, or family member. E-mail addresses can beeasily faked and even when not faked your acquaintance may unsuspectingly beforwarding you an infected file.
When receiving an e-mail with an attachment, if the e-mail wasnot expected or from someone you don't know simply delete it. If the e-mail isfrom someone you know, be cautious when opening the attachment.
Notrunning the latest updates
Many of the updates, especially those associated with MicrosoftWindows and other operating systems and programs, are security updates. Runninga program or operating system that is not up-to-date with the latest updatescan be a big security risk and can be a way your computer becomes infected.
Piratingsoftware, music and/or movies
If you or someone on your computer is participating inunderground places on the Internet where you're downloading copyrighted music,movies, software, etc. for free, often many of the files can contain viruses,spyware and/or malicious software.
Noanti-virus spyware scanner/ Not running the latest updates
If you're running a computer with Microsoft Windows it's highlyrecommended you have some form of anti-virus and spyware protection onthat computer to help clean it from any infections currently on the computerand to help prevent any future infections. If you are running a anti-virusprogram make sure you are running the updates as well.
Downloadinginfected software
Finally, downloading any other software from the Internet canalso contain viruses and other malware. When downloading any type of software(programs, utilities, games, updates, demos, etc.), make sure you'redownloading the software from a reliable source and while installing it you'rereading all prompts about what the program is puttingonyour computer.

How to avoid getting a Virus:
· Keep your windows up-to-date. WindowsUpdate is a feature that Microsoft has created for patching up its securityholes for Windows operating systems and for Internet Explorer as well. Youshould always have the most current Service Pack installed for Windows whichcan be obtained from Microsoft's website (Microsoft Home Page | Devices and Services). Your STJ laptop is configured to pull theseupdates as soon as your laptop is connected to the internet.
· Keep your ant-virus software up todate. Make sure you are getting the latest virus definitions. Your STJ laptopis scheduled for auto updates to be downloaded every morning. In order for thesoftware to accept the upgrades your laptop must be logged in and connected tothe internet. For manual updates pleasego to the McAfee’s website ( www.mcafee.com).For more detailed instructions you please click link below:http://www.stjohns.edu/about/it/aci/laptop/sfaq.stj
· Take extra care with file sharing.Music and other free peer to peer file sharing programs like Lime Wire,µTorrent Kazaaa and Morpheus are quite popular these days but every freeprogram has a downside as well. File sharing is one of the easiest ways ofgetting your computer contaminated with viruses and spyware. NOTE: see section on Lime Wire below.
· Don't click on tempting ads andpop-ups especially any type of ads or pop-ups that are offering you freegetaways or just about anything for free! The same rule goes for email. Also,don't click on fake security warnings that we often get these days. Some peopleeven get fooled into buying fake anti-virus or anti-spyware programs byclicking on warning ads that tell the users their computer is infected by avirus.
· Be careful with forums, socialnetworking sites and message boards. You should always be careful while usingchatting software like Instant Messengers or posting messages on messageboards, forums and social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace etc.Sometimes, chat rooms and social sites have hackers logged in just for thepurpose of spreading a virus or spyware, so you need to make sure who you aretalking to, who you are adding to your friends list and what type of files youare downloading and accepting from people. NOTE:see section on Facebook below.

Limewire:
Limewire is a popular program used to download sharedmedia files. Once you install the Limewire program, you can search for mediafiles and then download them onto your hard drive. Unfortunately, when youdownload from Limewire, you can get a virus during file transfer.
However,there are methods you can use to avoid getting a virus from Limewire.
1. Keep your anti-virus softwareup-to-date. Most anti-virus programs can detect and remove a virus that hasinfected your computer. You should run a virus scan every time you finishdownloading files from Limewire.
2. Stop downloading if Limewire reportsa corrupted file. Delete the file from your computer and look for a differentversion of the media file.
3. Watch the type of file that youdownload. Viruses from Limewire are often encrypted within executable files.Avoid running any files downloaded from Limewire that end in ".exe."
4. Consider the media type that you aredownloading. The music files downloaded from Limewire are usually safer thangames. This is due to the larger sizes of the game files.
Facebook
You can get a virus or worm from Facebook. Sites like Facebook, MySpace and many others are no moredangerous than any other form of online media such as email, im'ing,chat boards, uploading music and videos from a p2p, or browsing personalwebsites. You still need to keep your eyes open for the same things and beware.All social networking sites are vulnerable, just as are other forms ofonline media.
Facebook Worms
What the Facebook wormsdo is compromise your privacy and the privacy of your Facebook friends. Don'tbe fooled, just be warned. Below are some of the worms that are out there onFacebook:
· Koobface Virus - It makes you think you're going to watch afunny video or see a funny photo of your friend.
· Profileye Worm - Tells you people are looking at yourprofile which piques your curiosity as to who it could be.
· Error Check Worm - Tells you that some of your friends arehaving trouble viewing your Facebook page.
· Facebook Shuts You Down - Instructs you that Facebook has just shutyou down because you did something wrong.
Here are some simplethings you can do to protect yourself while on facebook:
Use antivirus and adware software - This will only protect you against certainthings. It won't protect you against many of the worms that are applicationbased, but it will protect you against some of them (and many other things).
Only Update From a Software Site - If you go to view a video on Facebook andyou're told to update your software, think twice. Don't update it from there.If you think you may really need to update your software, go to the website ofthe software itself and update it.
Don't Click Strange Links - If you get a message saying something like "Facebookhas a message for you, click here", don't click there. If Facebook hassomething to tell you, they would have emailed it to you. If you have aquestion about a message you received, email them.
Ask First - If you're not sure if your friend sent you something, maybeit looks suspicious, ask them. Just send them an email asking them if they sentit before clicking on anything.

TY site advisor for the above information

Patonb · Jun 6, 2013

You seem to be usin g a wireless router, which for the last 10yrs have hardware firewalls. Basically this makes your systems "invisible" to the internet in general.
You can use grc.com to do a scan, it's a highly respected site so it's very trust worthy.

Now, if the system is not on/hibernated you can't get anything i've ever heard of... Sleep possibly if a directed attack happens and youyr systems are set to wake oin LAN.

If you already have an iffection, then only being off or hibernation will stop a program if it's designed right.

Richs writeup is what you need to keep in mind to stay safe.

I leave my 2 systems on 24/7 though 1 in Liunux, and hyave never gotten anything, and my last "infection" was back on Win98 when I was stupid and clicked 1 sec before my brain processed what I was doing.

pappi · Jun 8, 2013

I have always used my own laptop's firewall. For some reason, firewalls from third party always got me dis-configured with software/driver downloads.

Speaking of getting infected, since I re-installed JAVA(latest release) last week, I've been getting malwares(severe category) almost daily. Luckily, MSE has been instantly and automatically removing them.

So now I decided to un-install JAVA again. If infection stops, it surely means JAVA has indeed not totally patched its security holes...as has been announced by several sources including homeland security agency.

Patonb · Jun 8, 2013

Weird, my javas up todate yet no viruses.

NoelDP · Jun 9, 2013

Detection of malware by an AV doesn't indicate a vulnerable version of Java is installed - merely that an attempt to exploit a potential vulnerability has been intercepted.

pappi · Jun 11, 2013

Not all had been intercepted. One succeeded and resulted in crushing and BSOD. After I rebooted, I ran MBAM and there was one trojan that MSE failed to detect that MBAM picked up and removed automatically.

Since I uninstalled JAVA, the daily infection or attempt to infect has stopped.

I am now convinced I should not re-install JAVA. Unfortunately, my grandson needs it for playing high speed games. So...I am considering installing it each time I babysit(which is not often anyway) and unstalling it when he is done...or gone.

Unless there is some kind of JAVA usage that applies only to my grandson's user account but not to mine. Is there?

Patonb · Jun 11, 2013

This is so weird as I've not heard of anyone else having this many issues with JAVA.

I leave my system on 24/7 connected and I have yet to have a single issue.

Are you certain they're attacks? Or is it possible the issue was the Trojan you removed?

pappi · Jun 11, 2013

Exploit:Win32/CVE-2010-0188(?)
Encyclopedia entry
Published: May 19, 2010

Aliases
Not available

Alert Level(?)
Severe

This was the last daily malware that MSE shows in its History folder. It's been three days since I un-installed JAVA...and it's been three days of malware free surfing. Same surfing routine.

Unfortunately I just happened to have emptied the History folder prior to this last one because the list space was getting too crowded. As far as I can recall, they were of similar description and all were of severe category. The fatal crushing and BSOD causing malware was not in MSE History folder but in MBAM log file which I also have already deleted.

Because they were all renoved by default, I could not track them down.

pappi · Jun 11, 2013

I don't know if this snipped image of MSE History folder is good enough(probably not as I cannot read it. Too small). The high lit line is the location of the picked up malware, which having been already removed by default programming is no longer there.

Patonb · Jun 11, 2013

That's an Adobe reader "virus" not JAVA.
Exploit:W32/CVE-2010-0188.C

pappi · Jun 11, 2013

This particular virus is not exclusive of Adobe reader. It can also be acquired from Java, Media Player, Flash player, etc.

I have all these programs so it is not easy to know which is the source or sources of my daily malwares...until I un-installed Java. Without Java I do not get infected.

Patonb · Jun 11, 2013

You might want to read this.

Remove Exploit:Win32/Pdfjsc.AFU (Removal Instructions)

townsbg · Jun 12, 2013

Unless you really need java you can remove it. Even if you do need it you can disable it in your browser until you actually use it.

pappi · Jun 13, 2013

How is installed Java disabled in browser?

townsbg · Jun 13, 2013

How do I disable Java in my web browser?

pappi · Jun 13, 2013

Having become cybergermaphobic (victim of Cyberskizapheniaphobia), I ran my maiden scan of Chameleon feature of MBAM. It scanned in 8 different settings...and found no malware. WOW...a week of germ free computing.

It probably is psychologic, but Chameleon imposingly impressive approach to combating malwares gives me peace of mind.

townsbg · Jun 14, 2013

Would you like some hand sanitizer with that?:huh:

pappi · Jun 14, 2013

I have no fear of germs in reality. I am 100% confident with my immune system. I do not remember the last time I had infectious illness. Actually, I don't remember the last time I was sick from anything.(Hmmm...knock on wood).

When it comes to PC, I am truly obssessed with germs having had fatal infections that necessitated factory image installations from system recovery discs. I've had about six with this 5 yr old HP. The last one was the worst. I almost bought a new laptop. To this date, I am still unclear how I fully recovered.

Since I uninstalled JAVA a week ago, I've been germ free.

Getting infected...

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