The Virus

Well, it has been a crazy couple of weeks at our house. Our home computer was infected with a virus---a particularly bad and dangerous one. It is a root kit virus which buries itself deep and is hard to identify and at this time, impossible to kill. While I realized what was happening and stopped the incoming files, it did enough damage to shut down the processes and we ended up having dear friends wipe the hard drive. Here is how it happened.

I had received a pop-up window that looked VERY official, as though it had come from Microsoft with a message that this computer was infected with a virus. I was instructed to click the OK box below to begin disinfecting the computer. I was suspicious and clicked on the X in the corner to close the window and immediately the files began pouring in at an unbelievable  speed. Within seconds, I closed the browser and that ended the download but the beginning damage had been done. If it had continued it would have begun to send out any account numbers and passwords and pin numbers that were on the computer. This is a new virus that had only been around for about two weeks when we came in contact with it. It is reportedly being used by the Russian mafia. Part of the initial download destroyed any anti-virus files that were on the computer and any attempt to download more were diverted to another website. The bases had been covered for the virus to live on.

So the advice we were given--- the lesson to learn is--- if you should get such a message, push and hold down the button on the CPU to force shut-down the computer. Some viruses will begin the download if your cursor just goes inside the window box with the message---you don't even have to click. Until you know for sure that  your computer had not been infected, do not connect to the internet to keep from transmitting your information.

 

It is so good to be back!