3/18/08 - Virus from your "toys"
I recently read an interesting (and frightening!) article published by the Associated Press. Essentially, computers are becoming infected by a virus after a new device is connected to the computer. This could be a new digital picture frame, an iPod, a GPS, and other devices. Most of these devices come from China where quality control standards are not always followed. At this point, the spreading of the viruses does not appear to be malicious in nature. An employee in that factory may plug their infected iPod into a computer used for testing. The virus is transmitted to the computer and then to each device that is tested. You can find the original article here:
http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080313/FEAT0113/160267967/0/feat11
But, whether the intent is malicious or not, the result is the same: there's a new virus on your computer.
How can you protect yourself?
· Do you have Anti-Virus Software? If not, purchase, download & configure one of the many software packages available
· Make sure that your anti-virus is current and active. Most anti-virus packages available will automatically update your computer with new code to detect any new viruses
· Make sure that your anti-virus is turned on. We've had several customers who had turned off their anti-virus, and then forgot to turn it back on.
How do you know if your computer is infected?
· Your computer becomes very slow all of a sudden
· You get lots of pop-up ads
· Your disk light is on, even when you're not doing anything
· Your computer just starts acting "weird"
Remember, there are no guarantees with anti-virus software. The software is like a vaccine. The programmers protect us against what they think is out there, but the "bad guys" are always developing new bugs. Follow our advice and you'll be safer than most! If you do have a virus that your anti-virus software can't remove, give us a call. Our "bag of tricks" includes several professional virus removers that can remove up to 99% of viruses.
Happy Computing!
Gail P. Eddy
Geek For Hire, Inc.
Onsite Computer Troubleshooting & Repair
Office: (303) 258-8175
Cell: (303) 618-7669
Gail@GeekForHireInc.com
www.GeekForHireInc.com
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