Stay Signed In
Do you want to access your site more quickly on this computer? Check this box, and your username and password will be remembered for two weeks. Click logout to turn this off.
Stay Safe
Do not check this box if you are using a public computer. You don't want anyone seeing your personal info or messing with your site.
In the winter of 2008 the marina was hit by a couple of computer viruses.
Rob gave us advice on those particular problems, but also general advice on keeping our laptop safe from infection. I have kept this page live as some people may find his advice useful.
We have followed it and have have no problems at all since then. (touch wood!).
If you have any other news on this, please share it. If you go to the 'Sailing Page' comments box, I will pass on your information here. Or email us. peteandbo@yahoo.com. THANKS
LATEST VIRUS PROBLEM - 2008
Remember ROB from sv Twixter who was here last year? Well we became good buddies with him and Cathy, and I would totally trust his judgment on this subject. I had a skype chat with him this morning - he's says that it has been a world-wide problem and was surprised that we had been unaware of it. Anyway, he gave us some good advice, so below is the transcript of out chat......
ROB - This was a Zero-Day threat (meaning MS issued a patch BEFORE the virus even went public!) If you use Windows Updates and turn on Windows Defender this is a non-threat!
BO - So if I carry on using Windows Defender (might help if I updated it I guess!) and doing the updates regularly and use Firefox for the time being. We’ll b OK?
ROB - Use Windows Updates, and scan your system with Windows Defender and use ANY browser you want!
BO - OK, going to updates now. Will the bad, scary disease be in my laptop now?
ROB - Scan it with Windows Defender and it will take care of any problems...
ROB - Then, I think you’re good...Remember, AVG flags files that aren't virus infected!
BO - yeah? why?
ROB - It doesn't know better...it flags any files it "doesn't know"
BO - So you use windows updates and windows defender - ONLY? No other anti-virus software?
ROB - Yep - I haven't had an issue in 10 years! Microsoft are good at their job!
ROB - If it's a Windows exploit, then Windows Defender will find it...ALWAYS...
BO - So the Exploit thing ..........there's nothing Yasin can do to his servers or gateway or whatever?
ROB - No...Exploit takes advantage of playable file types...it's a system exploit. It CAN'T work if you have Windows XP SP2 Updated...it's a non-issue.
ROB - It's Obsolete...useless...nada!
BO - OK.. Thanks I will spread the word. And you must have automatic updates on and a daily defender update?
ROB - Weekly Update (usually on Tuesdays)
BO - weekly for both defender and automatic windows?
ROB - Windows Defender gets updated via Automatic Updates...it's the same service now...
ROB - BUT Windows Defender will make sure you've updated it's definition...but same thing. It's automated..and FREE!
BO - I keep scanning with AVG – nothing – all OK. Now I have scanned with Defender and……nothing – all ok. Defender has been doing it everyday for me in the background.
We have had no problems, but everyone talking about it every day is freaking us out! I guess the advice you gave us last year (re: use defender and update) has worked in a crisis. I’ll pass this info on to anyone who may be interested. FANX M8 !!!
Summary of what we have..........
- Have Windows Defender (from Microsoft website).
- Regularly update Windows (which includes Defender updates).
- Also use AVG and regularly update (to be on the safe side)
At the moment...
- Regularly virus scan using AVG and Defender (because we are paranoid..for now!)
- Regularly delete our 'Temporary Internet Files' via Control Panel.
Aswell as Windows Defender though, We also have the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool which scans our laptop regularly
If anyone has any more advice......please share it via the 'sailing Stuff' page or email.
There's a lot of people around who don't know much about it and are very grateful for any help or advice.
This info is intended to try to be helpful to those who have been asking us about the virus issue, and those who may need a bit of help and clarification.
It worked for us and seems to be working for others too.
Who knows though eh??!!
LATEST INFORMATION - Friday 28 November.
We have received this email a couple of times now - one from Tiff on 'Ride of a Lifetime'. Is it true.......? We don't know, but better to spread the word I guess!
"Hi All, this has been checked with Norton Anti-Virus, and they are gearing up for this virus! - it is for real!!
Get this E-mail message sent around to your contacts ASAP.
PLEASE FORWARD THIS WARNING AMONG FRIENDS, FAMILY AND CONTACTS!
You should be alert during the next few days. Do not open any message with an attachment entitled 'POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK,' regardless of who sent
it to you. It is a virus which opens A POSTCARD IMAGE, which 'burns' the whole hard disc C of your computer. This virus will be received from someone who has your e-mail address in his/her contact list. This is the reason
why you need to send this e-mail to all your contacts It is better to receive this message 25 times than to receive the virus and open it.
If you receive a mail called 'POSTCARD,' even though sent to you by a friend, do not open it! Shut down your computer immediately.
This virus was discovered by McAfee yesterday, and there is no repair yet for this kind of virus. This virus simply destroys the Zero Sector of the Hard Disc, where the vital information is kept."
Paul from 'Wild Thyme' has recommended the following website to look up any email alerts that you may be suspicious of.... google - 'urban legends' or http://urbanlegends.about.com
This website says this about the 'HALLMARK VIRUS'.
"'Postcard' or 'Postcard from Hallmark' Virus Hoax
Netlore Archive: False email alert warns of 'the worst virus ever' circulating in the form of an attachment labeled 'POSTCARD' or 'POSTCARD FROM HALLMARK'
Description: Email hoax
Circulating since: Feb. 2008 (this version)
Status: False, although real e-card viruses resembling this do exist
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Some versions of this hoax claim the information was "verified" on Snopes.com. This is NOT true. What has been verified on Snopes.com is a different e-card virus threat with a similar name.
DO BEWARE of phony "Hallmark" (or other) e-card notices -- they may carry a real virus."
