I spent the day trying to remove the nasty Sircam virus that I may have given to anyone on the board that I ever sent a personal email to. Yes, this is related to Spain because I actually got the virus from a friend in Spain AND because, MM, I think I wrote to you once! If you should get any email from aturausk@mindspring.com DON'T OPEN IT. If it's too late and you are infecting all your friends, go to
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/pf/w32.sircam.worm@mm.removal.tool.html

Sorry!

You're a regular typhoid María...! :p

CaliBasco, this whole virus thing had me going nuts! I was astounded by the number of people who were impacted in a short time! The most bizarre part of it all is the person who sent me the message had told me he would send me something with a similar subject ...but of course, not the virus! What an odd coincidence that I got sent that one particular doc and not one that would NOT have made sense!

[ 08-02-2001: Message edited by: la maestra ]

la maestra,

My brother-in-law had an old rhyme;

"Every virus and baccillus (spelling?), has a different way to kill us."

I have my "virus killer" from McAfee, and it gets updated online continuously. I think it was a couple of weeks ago that my computers were innoculated from sircam... can't quite remember.

After being the target of at least a half dozen hacker attacks and/or attempts to steal passwords & CC#s from my computers every day for nearly three and a half years, I know there is no such thing as "practicing safe attachments." I download them onto a floppy disk, scan them, then open the file, and scan it again, before I even look at what it is. I also never, never, never, never, load them in my computer, I just view them in my computer, and when I no longer have a need for them, I swipe the disk clean.

El Gato (A Wolf in a cat skin coat...)

ElGato, I may have to look into the virus protect program you mentioned. We use Norton, but this virus cut right through like the protection wasn't even there! My husband is a computer specialist by trade and is usually very cautious about opening attachments (we have a ritual that involves incense burning, family chants, that sort of thing!) but this little spud slipped right through!

la maestra, I've heard very good things about AVP . In some computer magazines, it's been awarded as the best anti-virus software available, even better than McAfee Viruscan.

It was the only anti-virus that was able to recognised the "I love you" virus. AVP reported that the e-mail contained an unknown virus. All the rest of the well-known antivirus programs, didn't say anything about it, even though they all claim to use heuristic algorithms to detect unknown viruses.

I have McAfee Viruscan installed but after hearing so many good things about AVP, I think I should give it a try. My updated copy of Viruscan didn't complain at any of the numerous messages I got with the Sircam. Do I have to get infected to get a message saying "ops, you are infected by the Sircam. Sorry". I was expecting to detect at least some of them.

Antonio, I feel pretty much the same frustration towards Norton. After someone whose program DID recognize what I was spreading told me I had a virus, I checked up and found that Norton knew it had a problem with Sircam but didn't notify anyone or do anything much about it. I will look into the one you mentioned as well as the one ElGatoLobo did...ANYTHING has to work better than this!

Thanks for the tip!

Antonio, la maestra,

No matter what viruscan program you use, make sure it's one that you have an online yearly update system with it. McAfee has that, and it sniffed out sircam twice for me.

The CD versions aren't worth anything. You can buy the package online, and you can set up a daily upgrade... it works. I have one computer that upgrades at 10 AM, another at 8 PM... all automatic, where they contact your computer and check to insure the system is up to date.

Caution: Before changing from one virus program to another, make sure you totally remove the first one or you will end up with conflicts at start up. This can cause slower start ups, and give you false readings on viruses as well.

Although I heard decent information on AVP, I have been so satisfied with McAfee that I wouldn't change. Especially after it has sniffed out so many potential intrusions. When you are used to up to 200 attacks a month, and none have gotten through the McAfee defense, I'm sold on it.

By the way, I'm an "ex-Norton" person. I wouldn't tell anyone to use it anymore. It really doesn't do a good enough job.

Anyway, that's my opinion. It works for me.

El Gato

I haven't start using AVP, but I'm seriously considering the change.

As for the updates, McAfee issues weekly updates on its website whereas AVP has daily updates.

I'm not saying McAfee ViruScan is bad, but I heard AVP is even better.

I agree with the rest of your comments.

Antonio,

You're wrong on the updates, the McAfee online program is updated daily. If there have been any changes, they can be automatically added. All you have to do is sign up for their online protection plan, and it works great.

Check their packages offered, you're going to be pleasantly surprised.

El Gato