Got a virus... and I'm so careful!

[patbarton]

If your PC ever gets infected with the "Live Security Platinum" virus, just shoot yourself. Takes less time and is less painful than removing the virus and changing all your passwords across the internet....

Don't know how I got it. But my niece came over and when she turned on my laptop to check her mail (she e-mailed Brad Pitt and actually thinks he's going to answer), up popped this thing that said I had 88 infections (that's the indication that you have this particular virus). Oh, crap...

Went to the backup PC and did some googling. When you check on viruses like this, you're never really sure about the veracity of the information. So many of these pages just want to sell you their AV programs! You have to be careful and use your judgment (thinkin' about YOU, Michael & Kat) before selecting a solution.

I ended up running an AV program while booting from a thumb drive and did a system restore after that. Looks like it's clean now, but I'm still wary. This particular virus is nasty; it keeps you from running just about everything, including the task manager. That's why a second PC was essential.

Anyway, changed all my passwords, using the backup PC just in case. And this episode is hopefully over.

[DQDick]

Sorry to hear about it! What a PITA. So far we've been lucky over the years. Using only Mac's has helped but now the scumbags are even writing viruses for them.

[NCFischers]

What's your new password????

[Ozz]

See! I'm not the only one..
Glad you got it under control Pat. You are a sharp cookie!

[racerjoe]

did you use the tried and true method of getting rid of your virus?? :-) I think it is feed a cold,starve a fever, or take two aspirins,or a pint of jack on the rocks? can't remember now, I think the jack won!! At least it will make you forget the virus!!or that you even had a computer

[Tom S.]

Being into computers, I can assure you that you aren't alone. I have fixed more than a few computers most people don't get viruses, they get what is called malware, which is what you had. I believe this particular program is actually an offshoot of some others from a few years back labeled Anti Virus or Anti Virus 2010. Most malware programs aren't destructive, but instead try to get you send them money to remove all the viruses it claims to have found. It's a form of blackmail, and to make matters worse, sending them the money usually doesn't result in getting your computer fixed. It may start out as a pop up or an email either stating your computer is infected or offering to run a free scan. Once you click on it, you are doomed (so to speak). I belong to a site called Bleeping Computers, that can help you get rid of any malware or virus there is, but it's not for the beginner or casual computer user. It often takes me a couple hours to remove and clean a computer that has one of these malware programs.