So, you think you're safe?

[Britton30]

We see many people who for one reason or another disdain any security because"I never visit dodgy site or download anything blah blah blah etc"
I have MSE at the moment and surf the net but I just have had what I call a drive by attack. I have been using Weatherbug for years but when I opened it a bit earlier I got this, all that was open was a post here in SF.

ATL+F4, closed it all and did a full scan.
So to all who can prevent this sort of thing on your own, you should wise up! MSE did stop and clean it and I sent a very unpleasant email to Weatherbug.

 

[noobvious]

I never take anything for granted....in the nearly two years since I've had this computer, no viruses yet. But you never know!

Good to hear that yours survived unscathed!

 

[Corrine]

ATL+F4, closed it all and did a full scan.

I'm glad you remembered the Alt+F4!

According to WOT for weatherbug.com, "Previous blacklisting by a trusted source may still affect this site's reputation." However, there are a number of comments from this year, including one from WOT Staff:

Warning: Keep out. IP/Hostname/Website containing malware of various types that can seriously compromise the system and corrupt/steal/lock sensible data from it. If you find any discrepancy with my rating/comment or want me to re-review your site, just leave me a Board message: http://www.mywot.com/en/user/915771. "

It appears that the same can be said for the Weatherbug utility.

 

[codyw]

I used to use WeatherBug a long time ago. My computer was running slow and I had Norton at the time. When I was experimenting and putting different AV's on to see if I had an infection, Kaspersky found Adrware galore from WeatherBug. It was a pain to remove because it was embedded. Ever since then, WeatherBug or any other "weather" program has been on my PC. When I need to know the weather, I either go to a local weather website or check my email for watches, warnings, etc.

 

[whs]

Thanks for warning us Gary. Who would have thought. But you had the right reflexes.

 

[Golden]

Good catch - ALT+F4 saves the day.

 

[FranzB]

Just a question. What does Alt+F4 do? I could, of course, try it out but .....
Thanks.

 

[NoelDP]

It forces the focus window to close, so you don't have to hit any buttons (which may be part of the hujack attempt)

 

[Britton30]

Just a question. What does Alt+F4 do? I could, of course, try it out but .....
Thanks.

It forces the focus window to close, so you don't have to hit any buttons (which may be part of the hujack attempt)

Precisely correct. Clicking the red X will many times just say "OK infect my computer" The ALT+F4 bypasses that. Repeated presses wil close each open window in order until all close.

 

[pparks1]

In addition, if you can right click on the Taskbar and bring up Task manager, you can End Task on the browser or process that is in jeopardy.

I'm one who maintains that you are a lot safer if you don't use pirated software, scour the web for hacks, use key generators, download from p2p sites, etc. However, that's not a 100% guarantee.

I use MSE myself, because i don't feel that I need super "iron clad" protection because I don't do the type of things I mentioned directly above....but because of the of the experience noted in this thread. It certainly does happen and not always because of a lack of common sense. Thus, I find these software packages just a necessary evil for running a Windows based operating system.

 

[Britton30]

I'm one who maintains that you are a lot safer if you don't use pirated software, scour the web for hacks, use key generators, download from p2p sites, etc. However, that's not a 100% guarantee.

This is true and I would also add Torrents to that list. Many get poisoned after created or some idiots make them with an extra payload. In my case it was completely innocent.

If using Task Manager clicking End Process tree will close all instances of said program like IE or FF.

 

[whs]

Btw: Alt+F4 closes any last window you opened. I use it very often to close the current window rather than fumbling for the red X.

 

[FranzB]

Btw: Alt+F4 closes any last window you opened. I use it very often to close the current window rather than fumbling for the red X.

Right. After i saw here what Alt+F4 is used for i was thinking the same. Seems like a better and safer move to close a window and easier. Why is it not used more often?

 

[whs]

Matter of habit I guess. And it us so easy with the thumb and index of the left hand.

 

[The Howling Wolves]

WHS,
I enjoy looking for the little red x.
Yes I love the smell of napalm in the morning too!
Still waiting for the wine you were supposed to ship...........This Christmas or was it next Christmas?
THW

 

[whs]

Dennis, I drank it myself. Have to hurry emptying the good bottles. Who knows how much time I have left to do so.

 

[Andreas W]

Hmm, I dunno while talking about MSE, it have never caughted any virus for me so I guess I have neved had any, only thing MSE have given me is BSOD at random times, and quite a long time between the 2, so for me after getting BSOD the second time from it made me uninstall it

 

[Jacee]

This seems like a timely article for this topic Everyone has a role in protecting a corporate infrastructure (Part 1) « Webroot Threat Blog
Not only corporate, but personal-infrastructure

 

[Borg 386]

Matter of habit I guess. And it us so easy with the thumb and index of the left hand.

You mean "the Vulcan nerve pinch"....

If I get something questionable I shut off the net connection also....then do a scan.

Being on the net nowadays requires constant vigilance. I never consider myself "safe".

 

[FranzB]

Matter of habit I guess. And it us so easy with the thumb and index of the left hand.

You mean "the Vulcan nerve pinch"....

If I get something questionable I shut off the net connection also....then do a scan.

Being on the net nowadays requires constant vigilance. I never consider myself "safe".

I even cut the net connection when i am reading a long page. Why stay on line when it is not necessary? The easiest for me is to simply pull the wire physically from the computer (i do not use wireless). Somewhere, however, i read that pulling the connecting wire could cause problems. Is this true? And if so, why?