OK people, let's all say it together: "I, (insert name), do swear to install and update a virus checker on my computer in a timely manner. Additionally, I will periodically check for critical updates and patches to my MS Windows product."
Yes, I spent yesterday afternoon removing W32 Blaster from someone's computer. This worm was downgraded from a catagory 3 (moderate threat) to a catagory 4 in October. Said person had installed the 2003 version of a virus checker in December but never activated it or tried to update it (either he bought the virus checker way before he installed it or he got someone's old copy after they got the 2004 version since the update capabilities expired last week - I know it wasn't on sale that late in the year). Yes, he installed the virus checker after he had the worm (and the virus checker was so old that he needed the non-downloaded updates for it to even recognize the worm). No, he hadn't downloaded the MS patch which was available in September. No, he hadn't downloaded any of the critical updates for Windows XP - ever. Yes, I have told him repeatedly to do the above actions.
Yes, I had to run between his house and my house because first I had to figure out what he had, and then download the removal tool at my house, then go back to his place to run it - because of course the worm blocks some websites and makes staying on the Internet an iffy proposition (it shuts down the browser and IP link after only a short period of time). Yes, I had fun trying to download the patch (after removing the worm) and some of the updates because he is on a dial-up connection with a 28.8 modem. Yes I was aggrevated!
ARRRGGGHHH!
It must have been frustrating. You're very forgiving to have forgone wiping his hard drive clean--sort of "just retribution". You've found your new vocation: consultant IT.
Posted by: Cop Car | February 27, 2004 at 03:22 AM
Next time I will charge them! Yesterday I had to go over again to remove another virus because someone opened a bad attachment. And no, they haven't gotten a new Anti-virus program!
Posted by: Bogie | February 27, 2004 at 06:41 AM
I don't understand people who open attachments without having a clue what is in them. I got one at work the other day in an e-mail from within the company--that is, from within the company that owns ours. The e-mail said, "Is this important?" Since I didn't know the sender, I called our IT folks. Surely enough, they said to wipe it out and to spread the word to others in my area. One of the supervisors in a sister organization had already opened it when I got to him. Fortunately, it was blank except from a message saying that the firewall had removed the virus that it had contained. A few minutes later, the IT people sent out an all points bulletin saying "do not open". Lots of people were getting them from randomly-named senders. Our IT people and the anti-virus programs that we use are good; but, I err on the side of caution with viruses and worms. (Maybe I'm just not curious enough?)
Posted by: Cop Car | February 27, 2004 at 08:04 AM
I do the same thing. I get lots of jokes and cute pictures sent to me by other people - but if they are sent as attachments, I don't usually bother looking. There are some sources I trust, but not to the nth degree. Addresses can be faked, so I always ask myself if it makes sense that I am recieving would come from the source (and sometimes double check with the source).
I also try to be helpfull to others if I send something that is not normal (such as links or a weirdly named attachment). In such cases, I usually send a seperate email telling the people that I actually did send it and a small description of it.
Posted by: Bogie | March 01, 2004 at 07:34 AM