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Why do I keep getting computer viruses? - Riley - 11-09-2012 07:13 PM
I am using a laptop, windows xp....
the only possibly contagious sites i go to are myspace and twitter.
i have a virus protector and i have been using firefox.
sometimes i just start getting a bunch of pop-up's when i'm online and for instance, i did today so i ran a virus check and i have 7 detections thus far and it's only half way through.
wtf? is it something i'm doing? how can i fix this?
thanks to all who answer
- Colinc - 11-09-2012 07:21 PM
Your Virus protection is no good. And this is probably spyware. You need a good anti-virus and anti-spyware, and you need to update it every day. you still need to be careful where you browse.
- woolybooly - 11-09-2012 07:21 PM
use malwarebytes' antimalware http://www.malwarebytes.org/
- Ripley - 11-09-2012 07:21 PM
it might be that someone has put a virus on someones account or hacked into your profile and put a virus there and if you see your computer with pop ups you might need a pop up blocker.
- Isiaah - 11-09-2012 07:21 PM
you probably download too many things.
- Dunbar Pappy - 11-09-2012 07:21 PM
Are you using Firefox with an 'Active X' add on to view video on 'myspace'?
If so, you're defeating the purpose of the default Firefox, which does not allow this active scripting function, and many of the social networking sites are being corrupted with malware included in the scripting for the video.
Also, make sure to tighten security on those pop-ups:
FIREFOX: Tools> Options> Privacy: Check 'Accept Cookies from sites'
& Un-Check 'Accept 3rd Party cookies'
With these add-on's:
>> "NoScript" for Firefox will stop a lot of this adware/spyware & hijackers; and is THE single most important thing you can do to prevent most script based malware <<
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722
With "NS" running, down on the far right corner is a blue 'S' with a red line through it: right click that> tick 'forbid (whatever)' &/or mark as 'untrusted'.
(Ticking all may reduce interactive behavior; enable just enough to get what's necessary to view the page, on a 'temporarily allow' basis)
Flashblock: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/433
Adblock Plus works pretty good too: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865 (make sure to utilize the 'Subscriptions' from ABP 'Preferences' tab)
*Fresh exploit: "Super Cookie" threat (or Persistent 3rd party cookie); https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6623
* AVG "Link scanner" (free); detects malicious links before you click on it (claims 90% detection rate)
http://linkscanner.avg.com/
- Ghost70 - 11-09-2012 07:21 PM
Why do I keep getting computer viruses?
I am using a laptop, windows xp....
the only possibly contagious sites i go to are myspace and twitter.
P2P is a good place to get infected.
Computer security must be full circle by this I mean that you need to install a good Anti-Virus program/spyware with a firewall and you must keep all Windows and other programs you have installed such as JAVA or Adobe Flash player "up to date" or you risk creating "vulnerabilities" to your system that Viruses and on line rogue programs can use to help enter your computer. You must also be careful of what sites you visit and what you download. Always research any program you plan to download.
Run a scan with SECUNIA it will test your system for vulnerabilities and tell you what programs if any need to be patched. Click> Start scanner, then enable>thorough system inspection, then click>start.
If you like the program it's free. You can install PSI Secunia and it will monitor your computer and tell you what needs to be updated.
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online/
- tbshmkr - 11-09-2012 07:21 PM
Download, Install, Update & Run == All-Free
=
SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com
-
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
-
CCleaner
http://www.ccleaner.com
- F - Secure - 11-09-2012 07:21 PM
Make sure to run and install Windows update every second Tuesday of the month. Patch *all* other applications as well such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, Flash, Itunes, Quicktime and Realplayer. This is unfortunately easier said than done but we've made a tool called F-Secure Health Check that makes this really easy.
- †Oh yeah - 11-09-2012 07:21 PM
On Firefox go to:
Tools > Options > Privacy
- Uncheck everything under History.
- Uncheck accept third-party cookies
- Uncheck ask before clearing private data
- Check Always clear my private data...
- Click on the Settings button and make sure everything on the list is checked.
My bet is that most of the detections are simply tracking cookies, which are harmless to your computer.