Is it a Virus?

tru

That's what happened to us, my son opened an attachment on messenger, as it was from one of his friends he thought it was OK :rolleyes: I tried running programs from cd, it didn't work.

tru

Meant to say, the attachments ended with .pif

Fran

Debt_Free_Chick wrote:

Most are spread from attachments. Be absolutely sure you know who sent you the attachment & why. Do NOT simply trust all the attachments from people you know.

Goitster's email replies have had attachments...... I haven't opened them... even though they have been "scanned" for viruses.

Debt_Free_Chick

Yep - pif files are pretty common for spreading a worm. As are screensavers (scr). The one that Goitster has used a number of different attachments including JenniferLopez.scr - what man wouldn't open that

Sometimes, the removal tools work on boot before Windows loads, so if it's on a CD you might need to tweak the boot options on the BIOS. Or if it will fit on a floppy, use that. Or just boot to a command prompt and run the removal tool from there.

Guess who has just spent the entire weekend repairing someone else's PC? (Not a worm, but a mess caused by the tinkering of an ignorant i.e. someone playing with stuff they really don't understand)

Debt_Free_Chick

Goitster's email replies have had attachments...... I haven't opened them... even though they have been "scanned" for viruses.

But he's using his wife's laptop, isn't he? Crikes ... sounds like that's infected - which is likely as that worm spreads itself to everyone in his address book. I assume his wife IS in his address book

You're right Fran - DO NOT OPEN THEM. Just delete them then empty the Recycle Bin.

Perhaps send him a message to tell him & his wife NOT to open any attachments.

From Paul's earlier link to the AVG site, it looked like they had not released a scan for this virus - but that was 2 weeks ago. Would have thought AVG would be catching them by now. Norton seems to include a scan for this worm and I would guess that most reputable AV programs are catching this one.

Fran

Latest email from Goitster:

"Hi Fran

Debt free Chick is awesome

bug fixed

you are brill too

thanks to all

If I can ever help..............??

kindest regards

(Goitster)

Debt_Free_Chick

Wish I was that! I just tend to be a bit "resourceful" believing that the answer is out there somewhere and just needs to be found.

Very glad to have helped. To be fair, Paul posted the same link and deserves some of the credit.

We just need to help Goitster deploy some "common sense" security measures .. no offence intended.

Chuffed, though

Reluctant_spender

If you can download the below listed program give it a whirl - it is reputed to be one of the better trojan removers - I think it is free for the first 30 days.

There are other programs about some free some not. Give me a shout if you require more info.

Goitster

Thanks to all those who helped with my problem. Now solved I think, machine back to normal.

Debt_Free_Chick

OK Goister .... now let's prevent you getting anything like this again.

Which Operating System do you use (which version of Windows)?
Do you have a Firewall e.g. Zone Alarm
Do you have anti-virus e.g. AVG
Do you have a SpyWare blocker e.g. SpyWare Blaster

Do you always open attachments sent by email?

Let us know what you have & what you do and we'll fit ... sorry, fix you up with as much security as you can get to minimise the risk of getting anything like this again. The next one could do some real damage and potentially steal personal information from your PC.