[spacelord]

Make sure your Windows computer has all the latest security patches!

read this:
Flaw in windows worm..

I have already gotten 2 calls from friends tonight. I am not totally sure what the damage is yet.

can't say we weren't warned...

Department of Homeland Security Warning

 

[spacelord]

running Windows Update is one good thing to do... to make sure you have latest security patches applied.

 

[spacelord]

Xp has a built in firewall.. if you enable it. I've never heard anything grand about it though.

Zonealarm (firewall..) is available for free, and is often recommended.

Zone Alarm

a free antivirus program called AVG.. info here

TechTV : AVG

 

[spacelord]

There is a description of this worm.. and how to get rid of it here at the Norton Anti Virus site..

NAV : w32.blaster

 

[spacelord]

another thing to keep in mind for XP users..

I'm sure we are all running legal copies but....
if you are using some pirated copies (mostly with the Corporate keys..) you may run into some grief while trying to run Windows Update on your system.

 

[spacelord]

I use Norton Anti Virus 2003.. which scans all incoming email.
It caught at least 25 messages yesterday. It removes the attachment, quarantines it, and allows the problem email to come through with an attachment saying that Norton AV Detected and removed an infected file.

I then set up a rule in Outlook Express to move these files automatically to a NortonAV folder I set up in Outlook. that way I don't have to wade through them in my Inbox, as they automatically get moved to that folder.

 

[spacelord]

Another virus like thing is going around. It is received in an email and changes your toolbars in Internet Explorer and adds links. It adds a little piece of junk called Surferbar, which is loaded with links to porno and gambling. so its not all bad.

If you have your Windows and IE up to latest patches you shouldn't have to worry.
Norton AV did not catch it either as of yesterday.

 

[spacelord]

I never heard or saw anything else about it since that one day, when I saw it on a co-workers computer. It came through our work firewall and Norton AV real-time protection.

.. and I had looked up some info on the internet at the time and it seemed like something that might propigate.

oh well, I'm glad it didn't pan out into another big deal and cause grief to thousands of folks and their computers.