posted
I'm sorry I haven't been around much, but to say the least, something unexpected has happened. The other day I was on here (my computer) and a little box opened asking me if I... well, I don't exactly remember what it said, but I tried to close it down. Then something else popped up. Then something else popped up. Then again and again, making my old slow laptop unable to function. I suspected a virus.
Having trusted McAfee before, I tried to download a copy off of the internet. The (what turned out to be a bunch of Trojans) decided that I shouldn't do that, and kept kicking me off of their website. So, I headed to WalMart (where else) and grabbed a copy that would cover both my wife's computer ...and mine as well.
The thing is, as I said before, my laptop is really old. The DVD drive is mostly dead, so I could not get the software on here. I then priced external DVD drives, and they cost more than my computer is worth. I then tried really cleaning the DVD drive (worked before) but my old computer still would not read the CD.
I finally had to install McAfee on my wife's computer, then copy the installer to a thumb drive, and then trick my computer into thinking I was using the install disk (the easy part ...DOS is kinda stupid).
McAfee then removed literally hundreds of Trojans (over 40 that had replicated themselves over 450 times), on BOTH of our computers ...and I thought I was rid of the thing. However, my computer kept having rapid pop-ups one after the other.
By this time my wife had gotten involved. She used her computer, researched and suggested I download Spyware Doctor. I explained the download problem the Trojan was presenting, and voiced concern that I had already spent fifty bucks for McAfee, and the problem was no better.
I then removed my internet explorer and Windows instant messenger, which the Trojan was using to keep me off line. To my surprise, at least one of the Trojans then began using my FireFox browser. I was faced with either trashing my computer, or trying Spyware Doctor.
I was able to download a copy to my hard drive. Spyware Doctor found a high risk Trojan that is used to collect passwords and the like, so I attempted to us my wife's computer to purchase the program (it will scan your computer for free, but you have to purchase the program to unlock it, so it can remove any Trojans).
Well, it turned out that my wife's computer still had 14 Trojans that were on her computer over 200 times. One was programmed to stop her computer from loading any secure page dealing with virus/Tojan removal.
However, since I had deleted my internet explorer, a really old version of IE came up and the Trojan could not stop me from logging on with my computer and activating Spyware Doctor. I then activeted it on my wife's computer as well. Both computers had hundreds of Trojans on them (mostly low risk) but mine had several that were "elevated" and "high" risk.
They are now dead. However, I then found my computer to be so slow (again, please remember it is very old) that it was almost unusable! I first tried uninstalling McAfee, which I felt had let me down. My computer was still unusably slow. I then reinstalled McAfee, and uninstalled Spyware Doctor.
After thinking about this, I decided the risk was too great, so I again asked my wife what I should do. Her laptop is a "desktop replacement" and is quite fast. She got on her computer and figured out how to stop the Spyware Doctor until it is needed, so I reinstalled it on my computer. I scanned my computer again and found I already had another Trojan! Spyware doctor removed it, and McAfee is now keeping watch over both of our computers to protect them from viruses. (I have decided to use Spyware Doctor once a day just before bed.)
I then (only today) reinstalled my internet explorer, and a new mail program that windows is offering that checks all of your mail accounts at once. I like it, but you have to keep it minimized for it to work. I hope they fix that.
Why I am telling this story? Because until the 2-20-08 I was happy to surf the web blissfully ignorant of what was being done to my computer by evil people. One Trojan even said, "We have scanned your computer and you have been looking at porn. Cover your tracks, save your marriage, and possibly even your job..." and some other such nonsense. It then went on to tell me I needed their program to protect myself!
The fact is, I have NEVER looked at porn, so I knew what was happening. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Spyware Doctor. The down-loadable scan is free, (and it is hacker checked and also approved by McAfee as a safe product). If you don't have anything going on, it will tell you ...and then you can just remove it. I was shocked at what (and how much) that was found. I had over ten gigs of corrupted information that either McAfee, Spyware Doctor, or I myself removed (using Windows Explorer). That was last night until 3:30am.
I then spent part of the day today resetting my online passwords. I again feel safe, but the threat is real. I learned the hard way, and have now spent five days dealing with my error. I'll be back...
posted
Congratulations, Matthew, on a more or less positive outcome, on coming back after being truly missed AND on having the "clear conscience" that means you can't be manipulated.
Blessings, Laurie Ann
-------------------- You & Me and Jesus. We are enough!
posted
Thanks Laurie Ann, The only thing is I may have a false since of security. The thought has occured to me... if McAfee missed so many Trojans, how many is Spyware Doctor missing!?! Kinda gets you to thinking huh? Oh well, at least I can type on here again ...about all this old thing is worth anyway.
Email this page to someone.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
However, I then found my computer to be so slow (again, please remember it is very old) that it was almost unusable! I first tried uninstalling McAfee, which I felt had let me down. My computer was still unusably slow. I then reinstalled McAfee, and uninstalled Spyware Doctor. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
