I have heard and read several reports of a really nasty virus (overwrites files) that is supposed to activate on February 3rd. Just to be on the safe side, update your anti-virus definitions and run a full scan on your computer. If you don't have an anti-virus program, install one. (My personal preference is Norton, but a lot of people swear by McAfee.)

While you're at it, think about downloading the free firewall from ZoneAlarm (but not if you have DSL or cable and your DSL/cable provider already provides a firewall), and get the free downloads of Spybot and AdAware to check for and get rid of spyware. If you want more information on these programs, I'll provide it. Email me at klipvm (at) rcn (dot) com

By Unschoolmom on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 07:52 am:

And there's AVG Free anti-virus. Norton and McAfee both cost money and take up considerable system resources (slowing up your computer). AVG Free is what us geeks swear by.

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5

By Ginny~moderator on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 09:37 am:

Thanks, Dawn. I will look into AVG.

In any event, people should update their anti-virus protection and run a scan -

By Conni on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 09:45 am:

Thanks for the heads up!

By Kernkate on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 09:59 am:

Thanks Ginny. I just installed the AVG and I think its picking up some that the others didn't.
Dawn now after AVG runs the scan will it let me get rid of the viruses also?

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 02:53 pm:

We love AVG and bought a 5-site license for it, since we have 3 computers. It works great! Why shouldn't you use ZoneAlarm if you have cable? We have 3 computers sharing a cable internet connection and all have ZoneAlarm on them! We also don't usually have any problems because of it!

I have AVG set up to scan and update, in the middle of the night! It just does it automatically. It's great!

By Unschoolmom on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 03:25 pm:

Kathy, after it scans it will automatically heal or quarantine anything it finds. The other great thing about it is has a great email scanner and is a shield. I've downloaded stuff, stupidly gone to open it without scanning and had AVG pop up with a warning that it found such-and-such a trojan. So even without actively scanning it will look out for you.

I also use ZoneAlarm and like it.

One more really good anti-spyware program is (surprise!) Microsoft Anti-Spyware beta. It automatically scans and updates each day. The only catch is you have to be running Windows XP in order to download and use it. The firewall that cames with XP is also supposed to be pretty good though I don't use it.

By Ginny~moderator on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 08:32 pm:

The firewall that comes with XP only blocks incoming - it doesn't block any program on your computer that wants to communicate out. I use the firewall in my Norton Internet Security (which means I had to turn off the Windows XP firewall). And if you use ZoneAlarm, it probably is not compatible with XP's firewall, so you should turn of the XP firewall, as ZoneAlarm blocks both incoming and outgoing.

As for Microsoft's Anti-Spyware program, I made a vow to never use the "beta" of anything, because I don't want to be part of a trial program - especially with anything from Microsoft.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 09:28 pm:

We aren't using the XP firewall. We use adaware for spyware.

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 06:14 am:

Dawn, if ZoneAlarm works fine for you, great. I only commented because I have seen reports from people with DSL/cable who installed firewalls and found that it conflicted with a firewall that was on their DSL/Cable. That would not always be the case - depends on your service. I do think everyone who goes on the internet should have a firewall.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 09:23 am:

Yeah, me too. DH fixes computers all the time on people who don't! LOL! He fixes computers on the side.

The firewall issue and out-of-date virus definitions both cause computer troubles.

By Heaventree on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 08:44 pm:

Thanks Ginny I just ran a Live Update. I heard on the news today that this virus will strike the 3rd of every month going forward. You might want to mark that in your calenders.

By Cocoabutter on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 09:01 pm:

And double check the date on your computer to be sure it is accurate.

Ginny, I think you are thinking about a hardware firewall, one that comes with the router or modem for high speed internet access. Software firewalls are very important as well. Everyone should have a software firewall program installed on their computer.

http://www.komando.com/kolumns_show.asp?showID=7961

http://www.komando.com/tips_show.asp?showID=9017

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 09:03 pm:

Do you mean the one on our router? We have that, too. It came with one.

I just ran AVG updates on all of our computers. There was one tonight.