I've recently been hit with a virus whereby someone is now trying to use my hotmail account. I'm not really computer savvy, but I will attempt to rid myself of this problem using Spybot. However, I have a few questions...(1) I have access to 2 computers in my apt. and I know which computer I was using when I contracted the virus, so I'm wondering if I use the other computer to access my hotmail account and change the password, will that prevent the unauthorized use of my account? and (2) once I run the anti-virus program and rid myself of this virus, can I then also change my hotmail password and not have any more worries or would I have to completely close my account and then create a new one. On the hotmail website (MSN) I don't see anything there that tells you how to close an account. Many thanks.
questions regarding computer virus
- Thread starter meee
- Start date
meee:
Your plan seems logical to me. Once you get rid of the spyware, I don't see why you would have any further problems.
As far as I'm aware, Hotmail accounts only close through disuse.
jwm
Your plan seems logical to me. Once you get rid of the spyware, I don't see why you would have any further problems.
As far as I'm aware, Hotmail accounts only close through disuse.
jwm
Your antivirus should always be running, but run a check to see if you have a virus. Run spybot, but it does not remove viruses, it removes spyware. Change your password and everything should be good. It sounds like someone figured out your password and you don't have a virus. Install a firewall, I use Zonealarm. It is free and works great.
It may also be the case that the virus in question was a Trojan Keylogger. I had one on my system last year and was advised to delete the virus with immediate effect and change all my passwords, as this particular virus somehow downloads all the passwords the user types into his or her computer, leaving things such as e-mail accounts etc. open to being compromised. Hope this helps.ballgame said:
Heed the advice given above AND go to www.trendmicro.com where you can do a free virus scan without downloading or buying the virus scanning software. Trendmicro frequently catches things that other virus scanners miss.ballgame said:
Thanks for all of the info. I believe I got infected with spyware so that's why I'm going to run Spybot this weekend. What happened was that I got an extreme slowdown on the computer and then some weird graph came up showing the computer running at 100% CPU and I had trouble logging off. Thereafter, when starting up, my windows media player always came on my screen. This never happened before and shortly after that, I got a hotmail message from Yahoo asking to activate a new account, which I never signed up for. So, in yahoo's message, they said if I did not ask to sign up for this account, to cancel it, which I've done twice. By the way, since I have now changed my password using my non-infected computer, these things have stopped. Anyway, I went to microsofts webpage and posted my problem in a newsgroup and received a response telling me to go to a link and there I found an explanation for my windows media player coming onto my startup screen. It explained that spyware was the probable cause and said to run spybot to get rid of it. So, again, thanks for your help and hopefully, after running spybot, everything will be back to normal.
Trendmico asks permission to download....thought you said you did not have to download...are you sure it's ok?pineappleguy said:
Trend micro is ok to download from, they are a very respected antivirus company
They do have an online free scan called housecall. likely theres something to download,
here's the link
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
They do have an online free scan called housecall. likely theres something to download,
here's the link
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
Several items
Spybot does work well, but you also need to run Lavasoft's AdAware, another free program available at cnet.com. Run both. Each catches things the other doesn't. Secondly, also get a program called CWShredder, from Merjin software. This helps with some of those "Cool Web" browser annoyances.
Symantec also does a free scan of your machine from there website too.
Since you didn't mention a virus program I strongly urge you to get one if you don't and stay on top of the virus definition updates.
Spybot does work well, but you also need to run Lavasoft's AdAware, another free program available at cnet.com. Run both. Each catches things the other doesn't. Secondly, also get a program called CWShredder, from Merjin software. This helps with some of those "Cool Web" browser annoyances.
Symantec also does a free scan of your machine from there website too.
Since you didn't mention a virus program I strongly urge you to get one if you don't and stay on top of the virus definition updates.
Thanks, Ben, you are absolutely correct. They have both the "housecall" scan - which is a minimal-download-online-interactive scan and a downloadable trial version of their virus scanner. What I was recommending (and should have been more clear) was the "housecall" version. It is a quick download and totally free. The trial version takes (much) longer to download and requires other virus scanners be uninstalled prior to installing.Gentle Ben said:
I like the trendmicro online scan, it also tries to fix the problems.
Norton also has an online scan but it doesnt fix the problems, but at least you know the problem and can google for removal tools.
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/home.asp?j=1&langid=ie&venid=sym&close_parent=true&plfid=22&pkj=UQZFCVMHEHPZGAKFLYD
Dont Forget that spyware deterctors need to be updated just like anti-virus.
Norton also has an online scan but it doesnt fix the problems, but at least you know the problem and can google for removal tools.
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/home.asp?j=1&langid=ie&venid=sym&close_parent=true&plfid=22&pkj=UQZFCVMHEHPZGAKFLYD
Dont Forget that spyware deterctors need to be updated just like anti-virus.
Are you saying the virus is being sent from your account? If so, you probably are NOT infected. If its most viruses no one stole your hotmail account. Another infected computer is spoofing it.
Most of the latest virus spoof the return E-mail address from the real infected computers IE cache (if Windows) or outlook address book. I have many virus messages send as if me, but I am clean. This way it is not easy to find the source since again it is not the "sender" If you look at the routing of the message claiming it is from you it usually is easy to see its not you since routing is so different.
When you get a virus message from someone, about all you know is the person who looks like it was sending it by the return address is NOT the person sending it!
Still of course run all the virus checkers. If it finds files that are infected that doesn't mean your computer is infected. For most viruses you have to open the file that infects, not just have it on your computer.
Most of the latest virus spoof the return E-mail address from the real infected computers IE cache (if Windows) or outlook address book. I have many virus messages send as if me, but I am clean. This way it is not easy to find the source since again it is not the "sender" If you look at the routing of the message claiming it is from you it usually is easy to see its not you since routing is so different.
When you get a virus message from someone, about all you know is the person who looks like it was sending it by the return address is NOT the person sending it!
Still of course run all the virus checkers. If it finds files that are infected that doesn't mean your computer is infected. For most viruses you have to open the file that infects, not just have it on your computer.
So depending on who you believe about how big the share is: that's as low as three out of every hundred viruses, or as many as one in ten.Sheik said:
There was a worm in 1997 infested some Macs where I worked. Easily eliminated. May have been some since, but I've seen/heard nothing. Probably for the reason Sheik points out; it's like genetic immunity. The 'new' UNIX based OS may—but hasn't so far—change that. Apple bundles anti-virus in with new buyers' .Mac accounts, just in case.
So those folks who like to do comparisons, should be adding the cost of buying virus protection to the PC's sticker price. And downtime, of course. Bit like adding the cost of commuting to the low-priced house out of town. I know: who does that?
All I care about is: it just works.
